topic Re: Re: Thumbs DOWN to Google Messaging in Galaxy S24

Thumbs DOWN to Google Messaging

cre8tivlymade — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:58:45 GMT

I am very disturbed with the Google Messaging switch. I tried it & it does NOT compare to Samsung Messaging! The RCS feature is not needed. Sure one can send emoji responses on a message like iPhone but if that's what one desires, GET AN IPHONE! It only works when the receiving party uses the same RCS feature on their Android phone anyway. The overall features on the Samsung Messaging app has way more personal customization features that make each & every chat/group more visible & organized. I will stick with Samsung Messaging until forced to switch on ALL platforms.

Messaging App

Tyson213 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:54:12 GMT

Why is Samsung discontinuing their message app and replacing it with Google message? The best feature about Samsung message app is the categories we get to create to organize the hundreds of people we know. Google messaging app does not do this and it will be so hard to locate people now. Sigh*

I'm considering switching to an IPhone.

Re: Messaging App

becksiiana — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:04:25 GMT

Same here

Messages

Rj — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:54:27 GMT

This is the worst thing Samsung could do..I cant even even receive notifications to my watch or galaxy buds pro😡😡😡 this is a horrible mistake

Re: Messages

BigMoonfire — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:06 GMT

I concur

Re: Messages

_astep_ — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:05:07 GMT

I agree with this sentiment

Re: Messages

TheRabbi — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:54:07 GMT

Yup. forcing a switch on everybody, and breaking functionality in the process.

Re: Messages

Rj — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:52:05 GMT

Theres not even a trash bin 🤦🏾‍♂️

Re: Messages

ramk — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:31:03 GMT

Having issues with Google messages. Why do they have to make it so complex and having issues getting messages or being blocked

Forced to switch to Google Messages

useraYJDOCfVmu — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:30:12 GMT

Why am I being forced to switch to Google messaging. The main reason I picked Samsung was for the choices available.

PLEASE KEEP THE SAMSUNG MESSAGING APP

Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

CEParsons — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:36:36 GMT

Hi there, welcome to the Members community!

I understand your frustration. It can be difficult to switch to a new app from your preferred one, especially when you hadn't planned on doing so and you feel you are being forced to transition.

Unfortunately, this forum is not directly monitored by anyone in charge of decision-making at Samsung. You can only reach peer users by posting here.

To reach someone at Samsung and make your voice heard, you will need to use the Members app on a Galaxy device, visit the support tab, and navigate to "send feedback."

To answer your question:

As far as I can tell, the transition away from Samsung Messages is most likely based on infrastructure. Because the USA lacks a robust carrier-based RCS infrastructure, Samsung Messages has not been able to consistently offer a fully-featured modern messaging experience for all users.

In 2024, Samsung issued an official statement:

"Even if messaging apps follow the RCS standard, the availability may be limited depending on which app the other party uses. That’s why we decided to make Google Messages the common messaging platform, allowing Galaxy users to communicate more freely. This also enables a messaging app to respond to changes of the RCS standard more quickly and efficiently."

Given Apple's US Market dominance, it is crucial for Samsung to have an equivalent feature to iMessage that is universally available regardless of carrier. Google Messages is the way Samsung has chosen to accomplish that.

If you don't want to use Google Messages, you don't have to. Alternative SMS apps like Textra, Chomp, and Handcent remain available in the Play Store.

Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

Bfloyd1989 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:53:09 GMT

Rcs in the US is now completely managed by carrier as google turn back over management to carrier. Saying is a carrier issue is no longer the case....

Samsung is retiring samsung messages because they are not dedicating resources to update it. Plain and simple.

Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

Code-3 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:52:48 GMT

If it's not broke don't fix it. I don't like how Google can collect your information thats why I never used it. Now Samsung is forcing me to use Google messenger. The person(s) who decided this ridiculous move needs to be fired.

Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

SohailHassan — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:53:29 GMT

I've had Google messages for a while and it's actually nice! the texts goes faster, smoother. sending pictures and videos is clear and faster too!

Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

useraYJDOCfVmu — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:56:20 GMT

If you could customize you messages it wouldn't be so bad. I like the customizations Samsung messages offer

Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

Robin621k — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:59:59 GMT

Absolutely much better, for some this means nothing, for some they hate Google, for some its not black enough, for most, you can't theme Google messages like you can on Samsung messages. They like pretty better.

Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

SohailHassan — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:13:21 GMT

I get what you're saying, but the good news is you still have some control over your privacy even with the change. You can go into the Google app settings and turn off "RCS Chats" to stop your messages from routing through their servers, or you can ditch them entirely by downloading an app like Signal, which is famous for not tracking anything. If you want, I can help you check if your specific phone still has the old Samsung app hidden in the settings so you can switch back for now.

Re: Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

SohailHassan — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:14:05 GMT

im really enjoying it tbh, its a great update

Re: Re: Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

Robin621k — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:15:59 GMT

Far superior with RCS features turned on.

Re: Re: Re: Forced to switch to Google Messages

CEParsons — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:38:04 GMT

It is not totally accurate to say that RCS in the US is now completely managed by carriers.

You are referencing recent developments where Google is partnering with certain carriers to share costs for some of their Jibe servers.

This is not the same as legacy carrier-implemented RCS. The Jibe implementation is distinct from the legacy RCS infrastructure Samsung Messages relied on prior to its discontuation.

Jibe servers lacks open APIs which would be necessary for Android apps other than Google Messages to access them. Google has allowed iPhones to connect to these servers via the carrier to encourage cross-platform compatibility, but has not allowed the same for competing Android apps.

In short, even with this development, the point remains: universal RCS is largely achieved by bypassing carrier infrastructure via Jibe and Google Messages is required to utilize these specific servers on Android.