The Galaxy S25 series is finally here, ending months of anticipation for the successor to the Galaxy S24. Alongside the main lineup, Samsung also gave us a sneak peek at the Galaxy S25 Edge. However, it’s set to arrive later this year. The new phones launch with Android 15-based One UI 7.0. Perhaps the most notable change? Samsung has officially replaced Samsung Messages with Google Messages as the default texting app in Galaxy S25 series. The switch has been expected for some time — and we reported on this development some time ago.
Bid your final goodbyes to Samsung Messages, and welcome Google Messages!
In December, Verizon started notifying Galaxy users about the transition to Google Messages. Samsung has also been open about its plans to phase out its proprietary messaging app. And now, with the Galaxy S25 series, that time has arrived. The Galaxy S25 trio no longer ships with Samsung Messages — instead, Google messages have taken their place permanently.
While this change might initially seem like a downgrade, it’s far from that. Google Messages offers seamless RCS integration, superior cross-platform compatibility, and modern messaging features.
In an email to Android Authority, Samsung officially confirmed its decision to sunset Samsung Messages and transition to Google Messages. Here’s what the company had to say in its statement:
“With the close collaboration between Google and Samsung, we have opted to migrate all services to Google Messages and are sunsetting Samsung Messages. It’s no longer available in the PlayStore; however, those who chose to utilize Samsung Messages are still able to do so. We believe that the added functionality of RCS messaging on Google Messages creates an enhanced user experience for both Android-to-Android messaging and across platforms.”
It’s unclear if Google Messages will completely take over Samsung Messages on other Galaxy devices with the arrival of One UI 7. However, if you’d like to stay ahead of any potential changes, you can already download Google Messages directly from the Google Play Store.
