Losing Samsung Messages = Losing What Made Samsung Stand Out

[xGoddess-11]

I’m extremely disappointed about Samsung Messages being phased out. One of the main reasons I switched from iPhone to Samsung over 8 years ago was the ability to fully customize my phone - & Samsung Messages is a big part of that experience.

Features like custom chat themes, fonts, bubbles, & full integration with my phone’s theme make my device feel personal. Google Messages does not offer the same level of customization, & this feels like a significant downgrade in user experience.

I understand the push for RCS & security features, but not all users prioritize that. Many of us value personalization & the ability to customize how we use our devices.

I’m seeing a lot of similar feedback from other users, & this change genuinely makes a lot of us reconsider staying with Samsung long-term. I chose Samsung for flexibility — not to have core features replaced with a more limited alternative.

I was already planning to upgrade to the latest Ultra model, but this change genuinely makes me reconsider that decision. For the first time in over 8 years, I’m even considering switching back to iPhone.

Right now, this feels like Samsung is removing what made it stand out.

[matkor]

👍

[JBTechfanatic]

Google Messenger has become the default messenger app. Once you have it as built-in, not downloaded like would have themes, it will now change the keyboard when dark mode is off. Also, keep in mind that with Samsung Good Lock, you can literally create your own custom keyboard: background photos, key colors, and so much more. Samsung is not doing a good job of explaining that being the default app, as on my S26 Ultra, opens up more abilities than when you download it on the Google Play Store on a non-Samsung phone. As a example you can keep Samsung keyboard The S26 Ultra is the most customizable phone you can imagine; there's literally nothing you can't do. I used Samsung Messaging for 7 years, also thought it was the best, but besides all the latest RCS features and the ability to send full-quality videos and photos, you might be amazed at how much better it is than Samsung Messenger, which has been stagnant for about 4 years now. Also you can change the bubble colors in settings

[user6h3VzIU4yk]

Google doesn't let you customize messages background. Had to assign text tones again. Google is very generic 

[rbsoh76]

It's a texting app , doesn't need to have fireworks and fancy sparkling for a text

[user6h3VzIU4yk]

I like putting a wallpaper on certain people so I don't send wrong messages to someone

[AAbbott]

Well, reading their name or phone number or looking at their avatar is usually helpful for that.  That's also where you can use different colors for different chats. Although, I do admit that the color options are not nearly extensive enough.

[user6h3VzIU4yk]

I noticed the color is just for the text bubble. Only get like 6 colors.

[AAbbott]

As I said, it's lacking, but still serviceable. I'd like them to have a more extensive selection, as they do with the GBoard.

[Cristabell]

Bro you just got an s26 ultra from your pixel 10.
You didn't even get a chance to try out and use samsung messages. 🤡