Samsung is getting ready to retire one of its longtime apps. The company has confirmed that Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026, which means Galaxy users who still rely on it will eventually need to move to another texting app. Samsung is pointing people toward Google Messages, which has already become the default option on many newer Galaxy phones.
As reported by GSMArena, Samsung posted a notice on its website confirming the shutdown and telling users to check the Samsung Messages app for the exact end-of-service date. The change is not a huge surprise, since Samsung has already been moving away from its own messaging app for a while now.
For most people, this will probably feel more like the end of a transition than a sudden change. According to the report, the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, and newer devices already ship with Google Messages as the default texting app. In the U.S., Samsung started phasing out Samsung Messages even earlier, beginning with the Galaxy S22 lineup.
There is one important exception. Phones running Android 11 or older will not be affected by the end of service, so those devices will continue to support Samsung Messages. That means not every Galaxy phone owner has to worry about losing access right away, especially if they are using an older device and software version.
For Samsung users, the bigger takeaway is simple: the company is putting its full weight behind Google Messages. If you still use Samsung Messages today, it may be a good time to start getting comfortable with the switch before the July 2026 deadline arrives.
Source: GSMArena
