There is a hard cutoff coming for Samsung Messages, and it is closer than most people realize. The app stops functioning for United States users in July 2026. Unlike a lot of software transitions, this one does not offer much of a grace period. When it is gone, access to any unmigrated text history goes with it. Moving to Google Messages is the natural destination, and Samsung has made the process relatively painless for those who start early. The mistake would be treating this like a low priority item and discovering in July that years of conversations did not make the trip.

When And Why Samsung Messages Is Ending

Samsung has historically included its own Messages app on Galaxy phones but began transitioning toward Google Messages as early as 2021. While Samsung did stop including it as the default texting app in 2021, it was not until 2024 that Samsung stopped preinstalling the texting app alongside Google Messages. The Galaxy S26 cannot download the Samsung Messages app, and other phones will not be able to download it after the app’s July sunset.

Samsung has not said exactly when in July messaging will no longer work in the app. Once the app is deactivated, only messaging to emergency services will work on Samsung Messages. Users of Android 11 or lower are not affected by the end of service according to Samsung, but they would also likely benefit from switching to a supported texting app like Google Messages.

Why Switch To Google Messages

To encourage people to switch to Google Messages, Samsung’s instructions list includes new features offered by Google Messages. These include RCS enabled texting for features like typing indicators, easier group chats, and sending higher quality images. Google’s Messages app also has AI powered spam detection and spam filters, multi device access to messages, and some built in Gemini AI features. It is also the app that most Android phones use as their default texting app, including Samsung’s more recent Galaxy S26.

There are other SMS texting app alternatives in the Google Play Store if you do not want to use the one made by Google. However, Google Messages is the recommended replacement because it is the default on newer Samsung phones and offers the most seamless transition.

How To Switch To Google Messages

To switch to Google Messages, Samsung asks users to download the app if it is not already installed and to set it as the default SMS app when prompted after launching it. The process is relatively simple and should only take a few minutes. For most users, their existing text history will automatically appear in Google Messages once it is set as the default.

However, for users who have been using Samsung Messages for years, it is recommended to start the transition early rather than waiting until July. This allows time to verify that all conversations have transferred correctly and to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

What Happens To Older Galaxy Watches

The post also notes that anyone using an older Galaxy Watch that runs on Samsung’s Tizen operating system will no longer have access to their full conversation history since these watches cannot use Google Messages. Samsung said that they will still be able to read and send text messages, but the company’s newer watches that run WearOS will still have access to full conversations. This is an important consideration for users who rely on their smartwatch for reading and responding to texts.

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Google Messages offers RCS features including typing indicators, easier group chats, and higher quality image sending
• AI powered spam detection and spam filters help keep unwanted messages out
• Multi device access to messages across phones, tablets, and computers
• Built in Gemini AI features for enhanced messaging experience
• Google Messages is already the default on newer Samsung phones like the Galaxy S26
• Transition process is relatively simple and can be done in minutes
• Users of Android 11 or lower are not forced to switch
• Alternative texting apps are available in the app store for those who prefer something else

Cons

• Hard cutoff in July 2026 means access to unmigrated text history will be lost forever
• Samsung has not announced the exact date in July when the app stops working
• Older Galaxy Watches running Tizen OS lose access to full conversation history
• Users who wait until July will face a much more difficult transition
• No grace period once the app is deactivated, only emergency services will work
• Some users may prefer Samsung’s interface over Google’s