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It seems that Samsung Messages will no longer come pre-installed on Galaxy phones in the US. So, Galaxy devices will rely entirely on Google Messages. The app has been losing key features for a while now, so the move is not a surprise. Samsung Messages is still available for download, but that might change soon.
For some time now, many Android phones have used Google Messages as their default messaging app. Meanwhile, Samsung Messages was still the default one on Galaxy phones. This changed with the Galaxy S21 series, where Google Messages was set by default, although Samsung Messages still came pre-installed. However, as spotted by Max Weinbach, Samsung completely removed its messaging app from the new Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.
New-gen Galaxy phones only come with Google Messages in the US; no more Samsung Messages
The company is implementing the change first in the US. Mishaal Rahman confirmed that the Canadian and European variants come with Samsung Messages preloaded. However, Google Messages remains the default messaging app in those regions.
Users in the US can still download Samsung Messages from the Galaxy Store. But, since the latest movements of the South Korean giant suggest a possible Samsung Messages shutdown, it is recommended to move to Google Messages. Additionally, Samsung Messages no longer offers RCS support, one of the most important messaging features today. Its description in the Galaxy Store even says that “some features will be excluded” from the app.
Last year, multiple telecom carriers in the US disabled RCS support for Samsung Messages. They began to require people to use their proprietary messaging apps or resort to Google Messages to enjoy it. The latter offers full RCS support, which is especially important now that iMessage will be compatible with the standard in iOS 18. Lastly, it is quite likely that future Galaxy devices will come without the Samsung Messages app preloaded in more regions.