The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For Galaxy owners moving on after Samsung Messages, Google Messages already covers much of the everyday RCS basics. The bigger opportunity is to make the app feel more at home on a Galaxy: clearer customization and inbox controls, dependable phone-to-tablet continuity, and a migration process users can verify. These five suggestions are an editorial wishlist, not a measured ranking of user requests.
First, what Samsung Messages discontinuation means for Galaxy owners
Samsung’s US support guidance says Samsung Messages stopped being supported starting July 2026 on Galaxy devices running Android 12 or higher. After July 6, 2026, the app is unusable for sending messages other than emergency calls or contacts, according to Samsung. Devices running Android 11 or lower remain functional under that guidance. This is US-specific advice, not a worldwide retirement notice: Samsung India says availability varies by software version and phone model.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Samsung says conversations transfer automatically to Google Messages, and a large transfer can take up to approximately 24 hours depending on data volume. On pre-2022 devices, RCS may pause temporarily during the switch and resume if both parties use Google Messages; SMS/MMS remains available. For users asking “what happens to my messages,” the key practical distinction is that the conversation history should transfer, while RCS service can take time to settle.
Recommended Free Tools
Samsung India also says Smart Switch can transfer message history and that Google Messages is typically preinstalled on Galaxy devices. Check Samsung’s region-specific guidance rather than assuming every model, carrier, or country follows the same transition: Samsung US discontinuation and switch guidance and Samsung India Messages guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
What Google Messages already does well
Switching to Google Messages does not mean giving up the main features commonly associated with RCS. Google lists high-resolution photo and video sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, messaging over Wi-Fi or mobile data, group renaming and membership controls, and end-to-end encryption in eligible conversations with other Google Messages users. Everyone in a conversation needs RCS enabled to get RCS features; otherwise, messages may use SMS or MMS.
RCS is also improving across Android and iPhone, but encryption is not yet universal. Google announced on May 11, 2026, that end-to-end encrypted RCS between Android and iPhone users had begun a beta rollout for iPhone users on iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users running the latest Google Messages. Google says eligible conversations receive encryption by default over time, subject to supported devices and encryption being enabled. Samsung’s September 8, 2026 article notes that image quality can vary; users may need to turn off “Send photos faster” or select “Original quality” in Google Messages to send higher-resolution media.
Rank #2
- 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.
Sources: Google’s RCS feature and eligibility details, Google’s cross-platform encryption rollout announcement, and Samsung’s cross-ecosystem messaging guidance.
Five features that could make Google Messages feel complete on Galaxy
1. Galaxy-native customization
Google Messages should make conversation appearance feel more naturally connected to One UI. Useful controls could include conversation colors and backgrounds, notification sounds, and compact or comfortable layouts, with settings that fit the rest of a Galaxy phone’s interface. The point is not that Google Messages has no customization; it is that Galaxy users should be able to shape the experience without it feeling detached from their device.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- 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
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
2. A more useful inbox
A stronger inbox would let users create or adjust categories, pin important conversations, and clearly separate personal chats from work and automated messages. Giving people control over those boundaries would make a high-volume message list easier to manage, without forcing everyone into the same sorting scheme.
3. Reliable phone-to-tablet continuity
Moving from a phone to a Galaxy tablet should not require guesswork about pairing, carrier support, or which messages will appear. Samsung says the retirement disrupts its former “Allow texting on this tablet” Message Continuity workflow. It documents Google Messages setup for tablets, but warns that Samsung’s “Call & text on other devices” path does not work with Verizon and AT&T phones and may be unavailable on other carrier models. Google also says legacy Galaxy tablets and watches cannot use RCS for one-to-one conversations or create new RCS groups.
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.
Google Messages would be easier to trust if setup clearly showed whether a particular phone, tablet, and carrier combination supports syncing, what is connected, and when a feature is unavailable. Samsung and Google’s device-specific details are at Samsung’s transition support page and Google Messages on Samsung devices.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute4. Migration controls with visible recovery
Automatic transfer is convenient, but a visible progress indicator would let people know whether their history is still moving or the process has finished. Google Messages could also offer a straightforward history check and a documented recovery path if a large transfer appears stalled. That would make Samsung’s stated transfer estimate of up to approximately 24 hours easier to interpret without implying that transfers routinely fail.
Best Value
- 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.
5. More transparent feature and AI controls
People should be able to find optional AI features, rollout status, and data-related settings in one clear place and control them independently. This is a request for visibility and choice, not a claim about a particular AI feature or data practice. Feature availability can depend on rollout and device support, so the app should make those limits understandable rather than leaving users to infer them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Texting from a Galaxy tablet or watch: what to expect
Multi-device messaging exists, but the experience depends on the device, carrier, and software involved. For watches, Samsung says Galaxy Watch4 and newer can use Google Messages when paired with a Galaxy phone set to Google Messages as the default and with remote connection enabled. Older Tizen watches such as Galaxy Watch3 cannot use Google Messages; Samsung says they can still read and send texts, but will not show full message history after discontinuation.
Google’s support page adds that legacy Galaxy tablets and watches cannot use RCS for one-to-one conversations or create new RCS groups. A phone-to-watch or phone-to-tablet setup therefore should not be assumed to reproduce every RCS function available on the phone itself. See Samsung’s device and transition details and Google’s Samsung-device limitations.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
