Samsung is getting aggressive with its push to make Google Messages the default messaging app on Galaxy phones. It is actively encouraging Samsung Messages users to switch to Google’s app. Many Samsung Messages users have reported seeing a banner promoting Google Messages on their Galaxy.
Samsung is phasing out its Messages app in favor of Google Messages
In a bold move, Samsung shipped the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 with Google Messages as the only preloaded messaging app in the US (most other Galaxy phones offer Samsung Messages as a preloaded alternative). Since then, we have noticed the Google app set as the default messaging app on other Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy A55 in India. Samsung Messages is still preloaded, though.
However, Samsung may soon phase out its Messages app from Galaxy phones in favor of Google Messages. Not just new phones, it is now encouraging existing Galaxy users to switch to the Google app. A post on Threads says Samsung Messages shows a dismissable banner on the top of the screen urging users to change their default messaging app. There are similar reports on other platforms.
It appears Samsung is primarily targeting users of Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 phones, with the Ultra models being the most affected. The banner shows up again if you switch to Google Messages and switch back to Samsung Messages. Samsung is showing the batter to Galaxy users even in regions where Google Messages isn’t officially available. This highlights the intensity of Samsung’s push.
Samsung says this change will increase the rate of RCS adoption in the Android space. RCS enables modern messaging features like typing indicators and read receipts, which aren’t available with the traditional SMS standard. While Samsung Messages offers RCS only if the carrier supports it, Google Messages has RCS enabled at the system level and overrides the carrier’s RCS settings on your phone.
