Samsung Messages app has been discontinued in the US, and Google Messages is the officially preferred switch. Google Messages offers all the great features you need for everyday messaging, along with support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). Still, if you want to rely on the Samsung Messages app, there’s a workaround that keeps it alive for now.

Back in April 2026, Samsung announced that its native Messages app would be discontinued. The app started to notify users in early July, with the deployment happening on July 6, disconnecting the app from the connection.

Samsung recommends Galaxy users get Google Messages from the Play Store and make it the default messaging app. Once done, you will retain all your chats in Google’s app and continue further messaging through it.

Notably, Samsung has started shipping recent flagships without the Samsung Messages app in the US. It includes the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy S26 series, as well as the Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 foldable phones.

Well, it’s not impossible to keep Samsung Messages alive; here’s how:

Samsung Messages app is just disconnected, not banned or revoked. Users can get the app working again on their Galaxy device despite the official discontinuation. However, you will have to use its factory version, which it was shipped with.

Open your phone Settings > Apps > Messages > More Options (three dots) and tap Uninstall Updates.

Once done, open the Galaxy Store > Menu > Updates > Samsung Messages, and uncheck Enable auto-update.

These tweaks will roll back updates you’ve installed over the past time. Unchecking “auto-update” will ensure the Galaxy Store or Play Store won’t trigger an automatic update and stop the functionality of the app again.

The workaround is working as of July 2026, but no guarantee for the future. Also, we recommend that users comply with the official guidelines.

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