Starting with the release of the Fold 6 series, Samsung Messages will no longer be pre-installed on future Samsung devices. Google Messages will be the only messaging app on phones in the US. Google is pushing this especially with the implementation of RCS compatibility on Iphones come September. RCS will only work from Google Messages to IMessage. Google owns Android, their platform, their rules.
Samsung Messages will still be available for download in the Galaxy Store, stripped of any real meaningful features.
Not only will Google Messages be the sole messaging app, RSC will be turned on by default. If you wish to have RCS chat features it will ONLY be available in Google's product.
I will bet that when the next update rolls out, all those that still have enhanced features in the Samsung Messages it will be gone. Samsung Messages will now only be SMS/MMS.
This is the future going forward with messaging in the US, you either jump on board with Google Messages or you can stay with Samsung Messages with no enhanced features.
I was told you wouldn't be able to download it as you upgrade to new phones. you get whatever is preloaded on that device unless you decided to download a 3rd party messaging app from the app store.
It's not going anywhere the reason Samsung Messages isn't pre-installed is because having 2 messaging app can be confusing to people then you have people that always post about RCS Messaging not working that don't understand that it is actually their carrier that doesn't enable it (Samsung Messages) as certain carriers like AT&T and TMobile for instance only allow RCS Messaging via Google Messages
We, the users of Samsung smartphones, demand that Samsung stop forcing Google Messages as the default messaging app and give us back the choice to use Samsung Messages. This change undermines our freedom and could have significant negative impacts on the user experience and ecosystem.
1: Loss of Unique Features: Samsung Messages offers unique features tailored to the Samsung ecosystem. Google Messages lacks certain functionalities that Samsung users have come to rely on, like advanced customization and seamless integration with other Samsung apps and services.
2: Questionable Commercial Motives: This decision appears to be driven by commercial agreements rather than user benefit. Recent antitrust lawsuits in the United States reveal that Google has paid billions to be the default search engine on various devices, raising concerns about the influence of these deals on product choices.
3: Potential Legal and Ethical Issues: The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google highlights the anti-competitive nature of such agreements. Similar arrangements could be at play with Samsung, potentially limiting user choice and market competition. This is a concerning precedent that could lead to more Google apps replacing Samsung’s own in the future.
4: Impact on User Experience: For many users, Samsung Messages is an integral part of the Samsung experience. Forcing a switch to Google Messages can disrupt user habits and decrease satisfaction, as users may not want to be compelled to switch to an alternative that feels less integrated and familiar.
5: The Bigger Picture: If we accept this change, what’s next? Will Samsung replace other core apps like the phone dialer with Google’s versions? This erosion of brand identity and user autonomy is a slippery slope that must be stopped.
We call on Samsung to respect our choice and maintain Samsung Messages as the default option for all their devices. Let us decide which messaging app to use on our phones.
