Verizon is retiring Message+ and steering customers toward Google Messages. If you rely on Message+ for SMS/MMS (and often RCS/chat-style features on supported devices), the change can feel disruptive—especially if you’re not sure where your messages will live or what has to be enabled.
This guide covers what’s changing, how to prepare, and the exact steps to switch to Google Messages on Android. It also addresses what to expect on iPhone, where the Google Messages app experience differs, plus practical troubleshooting if activation or sending fails.
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What Verizon is changing (Message+ to Google Messages)
Message+ was Verizon’s branded messaging app used for SMS/MMS and (on many plans/devices) richer “chat” capabilities. Verizon’s move to Google Messages centralizes messaging under Google’s app, which supports standard SMS/MMS and RCS (Rich Communication Services) when your device and carrier configuration allow it.
Operationally, the “big” changes tend to be:
- Default messaging app: your phone needs Google Messages set as the SMS/MMS default.
- RCS activation: Google Messages may need RCS enabled so features like read receipts and typing indicators work.
- Message history: old Message+ conversations usually don’t automatically move into Google Messages.
- Delivery behavior: MMS can behave differently if APN/carrier settings aren’t current or if the default app isn’t set correctly.
Who’s affected and what to check before you move
You’re most likely affected if Message+ is currently your active messaging app—especially if you use it as your default for SMS/MMS, or you rely on its chat features on supported Android devices.
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Before you start, check these items:
- Your device type: Android vs iPhone. The setup path differs.
- Your current app behavior: is Message+ your default texting app, or do you sometimes use the phone’s built-in Messages app?
- Your messaging features: do you see RCS-style capabilities (typing indicators, read receipts) or only plain SMS/MMS?
- Your notification and permission state: if Message+ had special permissions granted, you’ll need to replicate them for Google Messages.
If you want a quick sanity check, open Settings on your phone and confirm which app is set for SMS.
Prerequisites for the switch
To avoid activation loops and “messages not sending” issues, make sure you have the basics covered.
- Android: Google Messages installed (Google Messages app from Google Play Store) and an up-to-date Android system build.
- Default SMS/MMS app: Google Messages must be set as default before you test sending.
- Mobile data or Wi‑Fi: RCS activation can fail if the phone can’t reach carrier/RCS endpoints reliably.
- SIM/cellular working: confirm you can place a call or use data; a non-working SIM will break SMS/MMS and often blocks RCS.
- Permissions: SMS permissions, notifications, and “display over other apps” aren’t usually required, but SMS app permission is.
Android: Switch from Message+ to Google Messages (step-by-step)
Follow this sequence. Changing multiple settings at once is the fastest way to create a “half-configured” state where messages won’t deliver.
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Open the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages, and update it if an update is available. On most phones, it’s already compatible with RCS, but version matters.
2) Set Google Messages as the default SMS app
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications).
- Tap Default apps.
- Tap SMS app.
- Select Google Messages.
If you don’t see “SMS app,” use your phone’s search within Settings for “default SMS”.
3) Enable notifications (so you don’t miss messages)
- Go to Settings > Apps > Google Messages.
- Tap Notifications.
- Turn on Allow notifications.
- Make sure Messages category notifications are enabled.
Also check Battery optimization if your phone is aggressive about background restrictions.
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4) Start a test conversation (SMS first)
- Open Google Messages.
- Send a text to a contact who you know can receive SMS.
- Watch for delivery issues like “not sent,” repeated retry icons, or delays beyond a few minutes.
Don’t jump straight to RCS troubleshooting until plain SMS delivery works.
5) Enable RCS in Google Messages (for chat features)
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile icon or More (often a three-dot menu).
- Tap Messages settings.
- Tap Chat features (or RCS chats).
- Turn on Enable chat features.
- Wait for activation. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on network and carrier state.
If it won’t activate, keep reading—there are specific fixes.
6) Deactivate Message+ only after you confirm delivery
Once you confirm both SMS sending/receiving and (if needed) RCS activation, you can stop using Message+. On many devices you can:
- Remove the Message+ shortcut from the home screen.
- Unpin widgets and change default SMS settings (already handled).
- Optionally uninstall Message+ if Verizon doesn’t require it on your phone.
If Message+ is a system/locked app on your device, you may not be able to uninstall it; disabling is the safer route.
iPhone: What to do when Message+ is retired
iPhone messaging is usually handled by Apple’s built-in Messages app, not Google Messages as a true SMS replacement. That means the “switch to Google Messages” message is often Android-focused, while iPhone customers should expect to move back to standard iPhone Messages behavior for SMS/MMS.
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Do this on iPhone if Verizon retires Message+:
- Open Settings.
- Confirm Cellular is working (data and voice) so SMS can send.
- Open Settings > Messages.
- Verify Send as SMS is enabled.
- If you use iMessage, confirm iMessage is set the way you want.
Then, in the Messages app, ensure you’re looking at the correct channel:
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- iMessage (blue) uses Apple’s servers.
- SMS/MMS (green) uses cellular/SIM and behaves differently.
If you still see Message+ prompts, keep using Message+ just long enough to get your contact list and confirmation that your Verizon account messaging profile is ready—but plan for standard iPhone Messages as your daily driver.
Can you transfer your old Message+ texts?
In most migrations like this, old Message+ conversations do not automatically merge into Google Messages. Google Messages and Message+ are separate apps with their own local message databases.
Here’s what typically happens:
- Android: history is usually stuck in the Message+ app unless you manually export/backup and restore using a compatible method.
- iPhone: old content typically remains in Message+ if you used it there, while future texts go through iPhone Messages.
If you need continuity for records, plan a one-time backup before you remove the app. Options can include:
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- Third-party SMS backup tools (only use reputable apps and confirm compatibility and privacy policies).
- Manual screenshots for urgent threads.
Practical expectation: unless Verizon provides a formal migration tool for Message+ to Google Messages on your specific device, assume you’re preserving history via backup/export rather than true transfer.
Set up RCS so Google Messages works like a modern messenger
Google Messages RCS is what most people want after the app swap—features like read receipts, typing indicators, and high-quality media sending. But RCS is conditional: it depends on device support and carrier configuration.
How to confirm RCS status
- Open Google Messages.
- Go to Messages settings.
- Tap Chat features.
- Look for a status such as Enabled, or a sign-in/activation prompt.
During activation, you may see prompts to verify your account or phone number. Complete them and keep the app open until the status updates.
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What can block RCS
- Incorrect default account: the Google account used by Messages can matter.
- Carrier services issues: if your device’s carrier services components are outdated, RCS activation may stall.
- Network constraints: captive portals, restricted networks, or airplane mode will prevent activation.
- Device restrictions: some “custom ROM” setups or heavily restricted OEM builds can interfere.
Troubleshooting when Google Messages won’t activate
If Google Messages can’t send SMS or RCS activation loops, use this ordered checklist. Each step is low-risk and tends to resolve the most common causes.
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Check basic connectivity and SIM health
- Confirm you can make a call or use mobile data.
- Toggle Airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then off.
- Restart your phone.
Verify default SMS app and permissions
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app.
- Ensure it’s set to Google Messages.
- In Settings > Apps > Google Messages, confirm Permissions include SMS.
- Confirm notifications are allowed.
Reset RCS activation state
- Open Google Messages > Messages settings.
- Tap Chat features.
- Turn off chat features.
- Wait 10–15 seconds and turn them back on.
If it still won’t activate, update Google Messages and also ensure Carrier Services (and Google Play services) are up to date via Google Play Store.
Clear cache for Google Messages (safe attempt)
- Go to Settings > Apps > Google Messages.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear cache (not clear data, unless you’re sure you’re fine with local app resets).
- Reopen Google Messages and try activation again.
If you previously disabled/removed dependencies, re-enable them and reboot.
When to involve Verizon support
Contact Verizon support if SMS/MMS isn’t working after default app is corrected and the SIM is healthy. Also reach out if your RCS chat features show a persistent error code for 24 hours.
Before calling, have these ready:
- Your device model (example: Galaxy S23, Pixel 8, Moto G Power)
- Android version
- Screenshot of the Google Messages RCS status page
- Whether calls/data work right now
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving Message+ as default SMS app: Google Messages may install, but your phone still routes outgoing texts through Message+, causing “missing” conversations.
- Testing before the phone is fully reconnected: toggling settings while the SIM is unstable often results in activation failures.
- Assuming message history transfers automatically: it usually doesn’t; back up first if you need records.
- Trying to activate RCS before SMS works: fix delivery first, then chat features.
- Removing Message+ too early: if you uninstall before confirming delivery, you lose a working fallback.
Alternatives if you’re not ready to switch
If you can’t complete the migration right away, the safest approach is to keep a stable messaging pathway until Google Messages is verified on your line.
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- Keep Message+ installed temporarily: confirm that you still receive and can send SMS from Google Messages before uninstalling.
- Use carrier or OEM messaging settings carefully: some devices offer “dual messaging” behaviors; double-check default app routing.
- Use backups for continuity: export or back up what matters, especially if you have time-sensitive threads.
If you’re on Android and you want the closest experience to Message+ while waiting, rely on Google Messages for new conversations and preserve Message+ for history.
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FAQs
Will my Verizon phone number change when Message+ is retired?
No. Your phone number stays tied to your Verizon line. The app changes, not your carrier identity.
Will RCS automatically turn on in Google Messages?
Not always. Google Messages RCS needs activation and carrier support. After switching, go to Messages settings > Chat features and confirm it shows Enabled.
What happens if my old Message+ texts disappear from Google Messages?
That’s common. Google Messages usually won’t “merge” Message+ history automatically. Use backups or exports if you need access to older threads.
Can I use Google Messages on iPhone?
Typically, iPhone messaging relies on Apple’s Messages app for SMS/MMS. Google’s experience on iPhone is different from Android, so expect the day-to-day text flow to be handled by iPhone Messages after Message+ retirement.
Messages won’t send—what’s the fastest fix?
Set Google Messages as default SMS app, verify SMS permissions, confirm you can use mobile data/calls, then restart the phone. If RCS is stuck, toggle Chat features off and back on and check Google Play services/Carrier Services updates.
Bottom Line
Verizon’s shift from Message+ to Google Messages is mostly a tooling change: you’re updating which app handles SMS/MMS and enabling RCS through Google Messages when supported. If you follow the setup order—default app first, SMS test second, RCS activation last—you’ll usually avoid delivery headaches.
The biggest “surprise” is message history: assume Message+ conversations won’t automatically move. Back up what matters, verify delivery with Google Messages, and then retire Message+ when your new workflow is stable.
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