Samsung Messages is not pre-installed on Galaxy S25 phones

Samsung and Google's partnership gave us Galaxy AI, pushing Bixby to the side. Today, we learned another service by the Korean company is being slowly pushed aside - Samsung Messages is not pre-installed on Galaxy S25 devices.

The company later provided clarity, saying it is leaving the SMS platform behind and will slowly migrate all users to Google Messages. Here is the full message:

With the close collaboration between Google and Samsung, we have opted to migrate all services to Google Messages and are sunsetting Samsung Messages. It’s no longer available in the PlayStore; however, those who chose to utilize Samsung Messages are still able to do so. We believe that the added functionality of RCS messaging on Google Messages creates an enhanced user experience for both Android-to-Android messaging and across platforms.

Samsung Messages is still working on phones with the app installed, including all Galaxy devices that aren't S25. However, it cannot be downloaded from the Google Play Store anymore. Users can easily switch to Google Messages (or any other app) in their Apps menu in Settings in the Default Apps menu.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Google Messages has been pre-installed on the Galaxy S21 series and has been the default SMS app since last August, when the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldables launched.

We do feel happy that a duplicate app is going away. Some users may be dissatisfied with this change, but fortunately, many other SMS apps are still available on the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

Via