Samsung is dropping its first-party messaging app in the United States and making Google Messages the pre-installed option out of the box. The company made the announcement in a notice sent through the Samsung Members app.
It states that โSamsung Messages will no longer be preloadedโ on the Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6, and โnewer modelsโ. Google Messages is the new choice because it provides an โenhanced experienceโ by allowing users to express themselves securely, according to the notice.
Judging from the wording, the company seems to be talking about RCS, or Rich Communication Services. Google created this messaging protocol to greatly improve text messaging between Android phones.
RCS can send different file types beyond plain text messages, supports high-resolution images and videos, and protects your data via end-to-end encryption. Samsung Messages does support the protocol, but not in the same capacity as Google Messages, which is more widely available.
Samsung Messages โis still available for download from the Galaxy Storeโ, however a few of its features โwill be excludedโ. Which ones exactly are unknown, as neither the notice nor the app listing explains what was removed.
Samsung shakes Missing info
There is good amount of important information missing. For starters, is the adoption of Google Message a global update?
Initial reports indicate the switch is only occurring in the United States, and industry expert Mishaal Rahman took to X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), writing that the โCanadian and European builds for the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6โ still have the first-party app pre-installed. โOnly US unlocked [and] carrier unitsโ are seeing the update.
![Samsung shakes](https://rdmtech.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-3-1024x656.png)
Additionally, itโs unknown if the switch will occur anywhere else. The notice mentioned something about newer models, but we donโt know if the tech giant refers to the upcoming Galaxy S25 or the S24 series. There is a good chance these changes could roll out to older devices. back 2022, on the Galaxy S22, the company decided to make Google Messages the default RCS app while keeping its owner software as a secondary option for users.
2024 has seen the two giants join forces in Samsung shakes a wide-reaching partnership affecting multiple areas, from smartphones to artificial intelligence. Getting rid of one (arguably lesser) messaging app to support its contemporary better might be Samsungโs current mindset.
We reached out Samsung asking if other models will be affected and if there are plans to bring these changes globally. This story will be updated if we hear back.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best Samsung phones for 2024.
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