Samsung will shut down its popular messaging app Samsung Messages from July 2026 and users have been advised to switch to Google Messages. Newer Galaxy devices will have Google Messages as the default app, while older Galaxy Watch and some older phone models will be affected by this change. Users will have to pay attention to data transfer and secure messaging.
Google Messages Switch: Samsung is shutting down the Samsung Messages app on its devices from July 2026 and users have been asked to use Google Messages. The change will apply to new Galaxy phones and tablets, while older devices running Android 11 and below will be unaffected. Older Galaxy Watch models and phones launched before 2022 may face issues with some services like RCS messaging. The company has assured that old messages and contacts can be transferred safely through Smart Switch or Google Drive.
Google Messages will become the new default
Google Messages will be the default app for messaging on Samsung devices from July. As soon as the app is opened, users will see the prompt “Set default SMS app”. It can be easily switched by selecting it. The company has assured that old messages and contacts will be transferred safely and users can continue messaging without any hassle in the new system.
Samsung Messages doesn’t come pre-installed on new Galaxy phones and tablets. Older devices running Android 11 or older will be unaffected by this change.
Impact on older devices and Galaxy Watch users
Older Galaxy Watch models, especially those with Tizen OS, do not support Google Messages. Therefore, after Samsung Messages is turned off, the message history will not be completely visible on these devices. However, it will be possible to send and read basic messages. Some devices launched before 2022 may also face problems with RCS service.
Older devices used for sending general messages will now be used only for emergency or service contacts.
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