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Once you have unboxed and configured your Galaxy S25, you might notice that a familiar app, which was typically pre-installed on Samsung devices, is absent. Samsung has decided to discontinue the pre-installation of its Samsung Messages app, shifting all messaging responsibilities to Google. On the Galaxy S25, Google Messages is the only messaging application that comes pre-loaded and set as the default.
In a confirmation to Android Authority, Samsung elaborated:
“In partnership with Google, we have chosen to transition all messaging services to Google Messages and are phasing out Samsung Messages. Although it is not available on the Play Store, users who have previously used Samsung Messages will still have access. We believe that the enhanced RCS messaging capabilities of Google Messages will significantly improve the user experience for messaging between Android devices and across various platforms.”
Your search for the Samsung Messages app in the Google Play Store will not yield any results. However, users can still download the app through Samsung’s Galaxy Store on the Galaxy S25. The Galaxy Store version received an update on January 15, accompanied by a warning about why users should stick with Google Messages instead.
The update states:
“This version of Samsung Messages is a download-only app, featuring certain limitations. It lacks compatibility with Samsung Themes, does not support features released after One UI 6.1.1, and is unable to utilize RCS features in satellite mode.”
The transition to Google Messages is not entirely unexpected. Last July, Samsung informed Galaxy users through its Samsung Members app that Samsung Messages would not come pre-loaded on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, with Google Messages being the alternative. This change was limited to specific regions, but for the Galaxy S25, it appears to be a standard practice across the board. Verizon also encouraged Galaxy owners to migrate to Google Messages after announcing that Samsung Messages would not support RCS messaging beginning in early 2025.
It remains to be seen whether Google Messages will replace Samsung Messages on other Galaxy devices with the launch of One UI 7. If you want to be proactive, Google Messages is already available for download on the Google Play Store.
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