Samsung messages ending?

[Apachehaze]

Has anyone else gotten a message saying June 6th 2026 Samsung messages will not be available anymore? 

[meself]

Theres a post at top about the change next to community rules

[CEParsons]

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.

There are some "petitions" circulating, but unfortunately it is a bit late in the phase-out timeline and Samsung is highly, highly unlikely to change course as this transition was announced in 2024 and has been planned for quite some time.

[Malia92D]

Yes but it was always advertised as an optional change. Not an something forced. And even if this was the case, why is it that they're able to provide these services to Samsung Messages for customers over seas but not also for US customers?

[CEParsons]

Because the USA lacks the carrier infrastructure necessary to consistently and universally support RCS features. Unlike the US, regions such as Korea do have this infrastructure and Samsung Messages is a viable option there.

[Pianodude58]

That's the best explanation I have heard so far.

[CEParsons]

I appreciate it, my friend.

[Malia92D]

Yes I agree this was the best response. But question: if we don't have the means to support the infrastructure to maintain RCS for mobile carriers, why is it such a big deal for us to get onto it now? For 2 years, it was always an Option to move to Google Messages. From what I see the RCS is the only feature that isn't provided by Samsung Messages. I don't understand why we have 90 days to conform.

[CEParsons]

It's hard to say exactly what is going on internally at Samsung, but I would venture to guess that they view continued support for Samsung Messages as redundant and a poor allocation of resources.

Again this is speculation, but it is a standard industry practice that once a product is officially deprecated, development teams are typically disbanded and a "grace period" with a skeleton crew is given to allow users to transition (hence the July 6 cutoff when all US development and support for SMessages will cease)

[Alexandra89]

Why are we switching??? 

I downloaded GM ahead of time, and heck, no, i can't even read my messages they go to a black screen, and half my contact numbers say they are unavailable, or don't have names on some of them. 

Yeah keep us where we are we dont need to change anything.

[chicken_nugg]

Agreed, I don't like it one bit. Why can't I receive my messages unless I have wifi, that is ridiculous