Samsung discontinuing its texting app, tells users to switch to Google Messages

https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/samsung-discontinuing-texting-app-tells-impacted-users-switch-131766567

43 Comments

  1. Well, this is dumb. I don’t use google products as much as possible and have all of my devices set to the samsung app.

  2. I don’t understand the en-shittification process behind bloatware, especially on Android devices where everything is unified within Google’s apps. I get that manufacturers want their own platform independent from Google’s ecosystem, but at that point they may as well develop their own OS instead of cohabiting.

    The amount of times I have to ask my Mum if an image she’s looking for is in Google Photos or Samsung Gallery is just frustrating for that reason.

  3. When I got my Samsung phone, I tested both Samsung & Google messages before settling with Samsung’s one. I disabled the Google one; looks like I’ll have to re-enable it.

  4. Particular_Bug0 on

    Will the Samsung one get deleted of the phone then? As disabling is currently the only option. 

  5. Google messages wont let me personalize my background for various conversations. Why switch to an app that has less features?

  6. Honestly I’m most surprised by how many commenters in this thread seem to be against this. Far as I’ve always known the consensus on Samsung’s bundled alternatives to Google apps is that they’re both redundant and generally inferior to the native offerings.

  7. no_f-s_given on

    so the users of this Samsung messaging app will be switching to Google’s app

    there are dozens of us! **DOZENS!!!**

  8. Typical_Response6444 on

    I really dont like googles texting design, there was a reason why I switched back

  9. Any good alternatives to Google messages? Try to avoid their products as much as possible. 

  10. HerrBrewster on

    I miss the Verizon Message+ app. It was so much better than this Google Messages garbage.

  11. forthecommongood on

    Last time I tried to make this change when they were pushing it I had a ton of issues with Google’s app and group text messages, to the point that I switched back. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so has it improved in the last couple of years?

  12. redpandafire on

    I just can’t trust anything on a Google app though. In the background I feel they’re raping my data and selling it on the open market anytime I use their apps.

  13. Spirited_Childhood34 on

    Google Messages doesn’t work. The pigs at Verizon killed their message app and told people to switch to GM. But it won’t get messages from some phones, but does for others. 

  14. As much as I dislike Google messages unfortunately is the only one with RCS. Without it I get kicked out of any group chats with people having iPhones. I would switch in a second if there was another Android alternative.

    By the way I’m in the US where this bullshit happens.

  15. Sofa_King_Gorgeous on

    Hi, it’s AT&T. We’re shutting down the AT&T Advanced Messaging RCS service on or after 7/6/2026. You’ll still be able to send and receive messages, but Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging will only be available to our Android customers with the Google Messages app. Go to att.com/GoogleMessages to learn more. Data rates apply with RCS messaging.

    Messaging will still work as nornal but RCS will be unavailable.  Nothing states that you *have* to switch to the google messages app to text.

  16. Can you change the look/colours/icon for google messages in theme park? 
    I dont have time to screw around with it today but I hate the idea of yet one more app looking stupid. 

    (Like when windows killed Mail for Outlook. Huge, heaping downgrade. )

  17. I’m honestly pissed I fkin hate google messages and have used my samsung app for like 10 plus years.  I don’t wanna switch.  Fuck this man.

  18. Personally I think this is part of sometbing bigger. Once everyone can essentially establish communications with RCS, there is no need for SMS or MMS which are quickly becoming .ore and more prone to spam.

    A lot has been cut out with regulations and how you have to register your traffic, but this may be how they intend to eliminate it entirely.

  19. not_a_moogle on

    But I love their messaging app so much better. Being able to create category tabs and organize people. Its the only reason I dont use Google messages.

  20. Samsung’s biggest weakness is its lack of long-term support outside the warranty cycle. If they sell a product or feature, it should be usable until the user chooses not to, not the organisation.

  21. viera_enjoyer on

    Now I feel guilty for not using that messenger. I don’t like when there is less options. 

  22. MegaFloppy69 on

    Why is it being discontinued? What’s the point of that? I’m not using Google. Looks like I’ll have to try out a different texting app.

  23. House_Of_Doubt on

    Every time Apple does something stupid that makes me question leaving the ecosystem, Samsung or Google does something equally as stupid and I’m reminded that all tech actually sucks now, and it’s probably better to stick with the devil I know.

  24. I used samsung because I didn’t want to use google. Now they can both fuck off, I’ll move to textra or fossify.

  25. The annoying part with app migrations is that companies treat it like a feature swap, but for users it is a habit swap. Layout, defaults, notification behavior, even tiny compose-flow differences matter more than they think.

  26. Can someone just sell me hardware ALONE? I am tired of ad laden crap. Be it Android or windows. I am tired. I just need the HW without the SW and appropriate discount for selling it without SW.

  27. So then whats the point ? Just start reading the “google version” like back in the nexus days !

  28. What can you do if you don’t want to use Google Messages?

    I hate everything about this.

    I was using Samsung Messaging for a reason…
    #ðŸ˜