Samsung has made a significant change to its messaging strategy on its latest foldable devices. According to reports, the company has removed the preinstalled Samsung Messages app from the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6, opting to push users towards Google Messages with Rich Communication Services (RCS) enabled by default. This shift, initially confirmed by tech journalist Max Winebach on X, suggests Samsung is prioritizing Google Messages as its primary messaging platform for these devices.
The Samsung Members app confirms that the change specifically applies to the Flip 6, Fold 6, and any future Samsung devices, including the upcoming Galaxy S25 series. This move is not a retroactive change, meaning existing Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, still retain both Samsung Messages and Google Messages.
However, Samsung Messages will remain available for download through the Galaxy Store. Despite this, the company has indicated that “some features will be excluded” from the downloaded version. The change is also region-specific, with the Samsung Messages app still preinstalled on Canadian and European versions of the device. Currently, only unlocked and carrier models in the US are affected.
Samsung’s decision to sunset its own messaging app aligns with its push toward Google Messages and the benefits of RCS. Google Messages offers significantly enhanced features compared to traditional SMS, including improved group chat functionality, support for images, videos, and file sharing, along with features like read receipts, real-time typing indicators, and end-to-end encryption.
With the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 now available for pre-order, users will soon be able to experience the change firsthand as they start receiving their devices. It’s clear that Samsung is moving away from its own messaging solution in favor of Google Messages, signifying a major shift in its messaging strategy.
