Samsung seems to be gradually reducing the support for its native Messages app after the company was spotted reducing its presence in certain regions. The tech company confirmed this after announcing that it will no longer pre-install the Samsung Messages app on Galaxy devices, opting instead for Google Messages.
This comes as a huge for the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem because Samsung Messages has been a standard app on Galaxy devices. However, a shift began in 2022 with the Galaxy S22 series where Samsung seemed to align with Google’s push for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This is even though Samsung Messages also supports RCS.
The Korean company made Google Messages the default SMS app on Galaxy devices while still pre-installing its own messaging app as an option.
In this new step though, Samsung will no longer pre-install Samsung Messages on Galaxy smartphones with Google Messages fully replacing it. This will start with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 as confirmed through a notice in the Samsung Members app, as reported by Max Weinbach.
It is important to note that the Samsung notice does not specify if this change will apply to Galaxy devices globally. As it stands, only the US version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has been found to not have Samsung Messages.
So it is a matter of time before we know whether this move will take effect in other markets including the Kenyan market.
The Samsung Messages app still remains available in the Galaxy Store for download. From the look of things, Samsung is gradually doing this to redirect users to Google Messages.
