Samsung officially discontinued its Samsung Messages text messaging app in July 2026 for people using Android 12 or later in the United States, leaving users unable to send text messages through an app they knew and loved. As part of this change, Samsung pointed users to the Google Messages app as an “upgrade” that would automatically fill with all your Samsung Messages chats once you set it as the new default messaging app.
The idea was that it would be a seamless experience. However, not all users are satisfied with it. Online, many complaints have focused on the layout of Google Messages compared to Samsung’s, calling it ugly and unfriendly. Additionally, it is said to lag more often, while using the phone’s battery much more aggressively. To use advanced Google Messages features, such as Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging or AI enhancements, you must have a Google email address. Samsung Messages did not require such an email login.
Users miss the lack of AI features
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Samsung Messages did not use AI features like Google Messages does, which left users unhappy. Integrating with Google Gemini, the messaging app offers features like smart replies, photo edits, and more. Discussions online are highly critical of this change, with a feeling that AI is stifling what was once a fun experience.
The complaints center on suspicions that Google Messages could be used to obtain user data for commercial purposes, through AI capabilities. Google Gemini collects certain data, including the media you share through it, and prompts you to request it. Customers are also annoyed by what they call Gemini AI’s constant notifications and pop-ups asking them to use features. This can be disabled and you don’t have to use it, but users don’t know that Samsung Messages doesn’t involve any such insistent requests. This could be considered as another reason to stop using SMS messaging on Android.
Other Messaging Apps to Consider
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Of course, with the move to Google Messages and the many changes coming to the app in 2026, this isn’t the only text messaging app available on Android devices. When it comes to finding alternative messaging apps, some are recommended by former users who relied on Samsung Messages before it was discontinued. One such app is Textra. Users like its customization, saying they find it similar to Samsung Messages in the way you can change colors and themes. Plus, it’s said to be much more user-friendly than Google’s app.
Other online recommendations are to download and use the Fossify or SMS Organizer apps. Both help keep track of texts, meetings, and more. However, keep in mind that neither comes with RCS and is updated less frequently than Google Messages. While there are alternatives, it’s likely they’ll never completely replace the Samsung Messages experience.
