For Galaxy owners in the United States using Android 12 or higher, Google Messages is the practical choice as of October 2026. Samsung says Samsung Messages is no longer supported on those devices starting in July 2026, and that ordinary message sending stopped after July 6, 2026, apart from emergency numbers or contacts. Samsung’s notice is U.S.-specific; it does not establish a retirement date elsewhere. Samsung’s support guidance explains the switch.
Outside the U.S., check Samsung’s local support status before changing apps. In either market, the main questions are whether RCS works with the people you message, what transfers with your history, and whether your watch or tablet fits the new setup.
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How the apps compare now
This is no longer just a feature contest for U.S. Galaxy owners: Samsung’s support status changes the decision. Google Messages supports SMS/MMS and RCS where available; Samsung Messages also supported RCS, but Samsung’s U.S. discontinuation guidance covers Galaxy devices running Android 12 or higher.
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| Decision | Google Messages | Samsung Messages |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. support on Galaxy devices with Android 12 or higher | Samsung directs affected users to switch to Google Messages. RCS availability depends on carrier, region and device. Samsung Support; Google Messages Help | Samsung says the app is no longer supported starting July 2026. Its U.S. notice says ordinary sending is unavailable after July 6, 2026, with an emergency-number/contact exception. Samsung Support |
| SMS/MMS history when switching | Google says existing SMS/MMS messages are not lost when changing the default app. Samsung says conversations transfer automatically; full transfer can take approximately 24 hours depending on the amount of data. Google Messages Help; Samsung Support | Existing conversations are the source for Samsung’s transfer process. Transfer does not guarantee that every app-specific feature or format will carry over. Samsung Support; Google Messages Help |
| RCS features | Can provide typing indicators, read receipts, richer group chats and high-resolution media when supported by the participants’ apps, devices, carriers and region. Google Messages Help | Google’s documentation describes RCS support in Samsung Messages; actual support depends on device and region, and the U.S. retirement affects the choice there. Google Messages Help; Samsung Support |
| Encryption | Google says RCS chats between Google Messages users are end-to-end encrypted by default. Cross-platform Android–iPhone encryption was announced as a beta rollout under specific compatibility conditions, not as a universal feature. Google Messages Help; Google The Keyword | Google identifies Samsung Messages as an RCS-capable client, but its security documentation does not establish that Samsung Messages has identical encryption or data-handling behavior. Google Messages Help |
| Galaxy devices and web access | Google documents messaging across selected Samsung phones, tablets and watches, plus web access. Some legacy tablet/watch use cannot use RCS for one-to-one chats or create new RCS groups. Google Messages Help | Samsung Messages continuity is affected by the U.S. retirement. Tablet continuity also has carrier and model restrictions. Samsung Support |
| Outside the U.S. | Google Messages is available on selected Samsung devices, but RCS support varies by carrier and region. Google Messages Help; Google Messages Help | The cited retirement guidance is for the U.S.; a non-U.S. end date is not established by that notice. Check Samsung’s local support information. Samsung Support |
What RCS changes—and what it does not
RCS can add typing indicators, read and delivery status, richer group chats, and higher-resolution media. It uses Wi-Fi or mobile data; mobile-data charges depend on your plan. RCS availability continues to vary by region and carrier. Google’s RCS FAQ describes the available features and conditions.
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When a conversation falls back to SMS/MMS
RCS features require the participants’ devices and messaging services to support RCS. If a recipient does not have it, standard SMS/MMS can still work, but RCS-only indicators such as typing and read receipts will not. Do not assume a group or one-to-one conversation will use RCS just because your app supports it.
Media quality depends on the setting and recipient
Samsung’s September 8, 2026 description of RCS says it can support high-resolution images and videos, emoji reactions and updated group chats across smartphone ecosystems when RCS is enabled. Samsung notes image quality can vary; Google Messages offers an “Original quality” choice in the image preview. These are vendor-described capabilities, not a guarantee that every recipient will receive media at the same quality. Samsung Newsroom U.S.
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What transfers when you switch
Google says changing the default messaging app does not erase existing SMS/MMS messages. Samsung says its transfer moves conversations automatically, and estimates a complete transfer can take approximately 24 hours depending on the data. That estimate is Samsung’s guidance, not a fixed completion time for every phone. Google Messages Help; Samsung Support
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Rank #3
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- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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What encryption claims actually mean
Google says RCS chats between Google Messages users are end-to-end encrypted by default. When end-to-end encryption is unavailable, Google says its RCS service uses TLS; its documentation also describes temporary processing of identifiers and delivery queues. Google identifies Samsung Messages and Messages on iOS as other RCS-capable clients, and directs users to those apps’ own documentation for their security settings and data handling. Therefore, RCS support alone does not mean every conversation is end-to-end encrypted. Google’s RCS security and data-handling information
On May 11, 2026, Google announced the start of a beta rollout for end-to-end encrypted RCS between Android and iPhone users. The announcement specified iPhone users on iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest Google Messages; Google said encryption is on by default and would be enabled over time for supported new and existing conversations. That announcement does not establish that every Android–iPhone RCS conversation is encrypted. Google The Keyword
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How watches and tablets fit in
Google documents Google Messages use across selected Samsung devices, including tablets and watches. Samsung says Galaxy Watch4 and newer support Google Messages. Older Tizen watches will not show full message history after Samsung Messages ends, although Samsung says users can still read and send texts. Tablet continuity depends on carrier and model, and some legacy tablet/watch configurations cannot use RCS for one-to-one conversations or create new RCS groups. Check your exact device and carrier before relying on cross-device behavior. Google Messages Help; Samsung Support
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If you are in the United States
If your Galaxy phone runs Android 12 or higher, use Google Messages: Samsung’s U.S. support guidance says Samsung Messages is no longer supported from July 2026 and directs affected users to Google Messages. After switching, check whether RCS is active if you want richer chat features.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
If you are outside the United States
Do not assume the U.S. retirement notice applies to your country. Verify Samsung’s local guidance for your device, and check RCS availability with your carrier and the people you message before deciding whether to switch.
If security is your deciding factor
Look at the specific conversation and its encryption status, not just the app’s RCS label. Google’s default E2EE claim covers chats between Google Messages users; the announced Android–iPhone beta has narrower compatibility conditions, and Google’s documentation does not establish identical encryption behavior for Samsung Messages.
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