Samsung Adopts Google Messages as Default App for Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6

Samsung shakes things up by switching to Google Messages on the new Galaxy Flip and Fold

Samsung is dropping its first-party messaging app in the United States and making Google Messages the pre-installed option out of the box. The company made the announcement in a notice sent through the Samsung Members app. It states that "Samsung Messages will no longer be preloaded" on the Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6, and "newer models". Google Messages is the new choice because it provides an "enhanced experience" by allowing users to express themselves securely, according to the notice. Judging from the wording, the company seems to be talking about RCS, or Rich Communication Services. Google created this messaging protocol to greatly improve text messaging between Android phones. RCS can send different file types beyond plain text messages, supports high-resolution images and videos, and protects your data via end-to-end encryption. Samsung Messages does support the protocol, but not in the same capacity as Google Messages, which is more widely available. Samsung Messages "is still available for download from the Galaxy Store", however a few of its features "will be excluded". Which ones exactly are unknown, as neither the notice nor the app listing explains what was removed. There is a good amount of important information missing. For starters, is the adoption of Google Message a global update? Initial reports indicate the switch is only occurring in the United States, and industry expert Mishaal Rahman took to X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), writing that the "Canadian and European builds for the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6" still have the first-party app pre-installed. "Only US unlocked [and] carrier units" are seeing the update. Additionally, it's unknown if the switch will occur anywhere else. The notice mentioned something about newer models, but we don't know if the tech giant refers to the upcoming Galaxy S25 or the S24 series. There is a good chance these changes could roll out to older devices. Back in 2022, on the Galaxy S22, the company decided to make Google Messages the default RCS app while keeping its own software as a secondary option for users. 2024 has seen the two giants join forces in a wide-reaching partnership affecting multiple areas, from smartphones to artificial intelligence. Getting rid of one (arguably lesser) messaging app to support its contemporary better might be Samsung's current mindset. We reached out to Samsung asking if other models will be affected and if there are plans to bring these changes globally. This story will be updated if we hear back.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6 to Google Messages as default messaging app

Samsung has said that they will be picking Google Messages instead of their own messaging app in the U.S. for their newly launched Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6 and "newer models." The company announced the same in a notice shared via the Samsung Members app. The update stated that Samsung Messages would no longer be preloaded on these new models but was still available to download from the Galaxy Store albeit with some features missing. The company hasn't clarified what these features might be. The notice said that Google Messages offered a more "enhanced experience" than Samsung's own first-party messaging service. Samsung to launch XR headset with Google this year As of now, the change appears to be limited to just the U.S. with European and Canadian Galaxy Flip 6 and Fold 6 devices still coming with the pre-installed Samsung Messages. (For top technology news of the day, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today's Cache) Samsung also hasn't clarified whether the change would be rolled out to older models too. In 2022, the company had made Google Messages the default messaging app on the Galaxy S22 keeping Samsung Messages as the alternative for users. Google's partnership with Samsung has become of significance as hardware devices have embraced AI apps. Read Comments