Samsung Is Ending Messages In July: 5 Replacements I'd Switch To Now

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ZDNET cardinal takeaways

• Samsung is sidesplitting its messaging app successful July.
• Users successful nan US pinch Android v12 aliases newer request to switch.
• There are plentifulness of superior options to take from.

Multiple reports person been issued that Samsung is shutting down its messaging app and service.

According to this Samsung organization post, nan work EOL will beryllium this July, which intends you person a fewer short months to find a caller app and turn accustomed to it. If that sounds for illustration what you're facing, you're astir apt wondering which app aliases work you should use. The bully news is that location are plenty, truthful you don't person to worry.

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Before we get into this, cognize that nan extremity of life for nan Samsung messaging app is only slated for nan US (for now). Another asterisk is that those who usage Android 11 aliases older will not beryllium affected by nan change. So, if you're successful nan US and you usage an Android telephone that runs type 12 aliases newer, you're going to person to make nan switch.

But what should you move to?

1. Google Messages

Google Messages is nan astir evident choice. In fact, this is nan app aliases work that Samsung is recommending to its users. And why not? Google Messages is simply a awesome app, and it is seamlessly integrated into Android for a much complete experience.

And pinch Google Messages now defaulting to RCS (Rich Communication Services), you're getting a much modern messaging work that features things for illustration Wi-Fi texting, high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, publication receipts, and end-to-end encryption. That short database covers beautiful overmuch everything you request successful an precocious messaging service. On apical of that, nan app is well-designed and very easy to use.

Also: How to usage Google Messages' caller Trash characteristic to retrieve texts you accidentally deleted

Google Messages is free to usage and ships pinch Android. If you find your Samsung instrumentality does not see Google Messages, you tin instal it from nan Google Play Store.

2. WhatsApp

I person a friend who now lives successful Egypt, and his go-to messaging app is WhatsApp. He besides uses this aforesaid app for telephone calls, truthful that should show you thing astir nan app aliases service. 

WhatsApp is global, and according to Business of Apps, it has complete 2.9 cardinal users worldwide. On apical of that, WhatsApp is 1 of nan fewer apps that has been downloaded complete 5 cardinal times (across some Android and iOS app stores).

With truthful galore users, it's beautiful safe to opportunity that WhatsApp is simply a safe bet. WhatsApp includes features for illustration sound connection transcription, HD media sharing, connection management, favorites, mentions, channels, chat lock, 2-step verification, disappearing messages, customizable status, and more.

Also: The champion backstage messaging apps of 2026: Expert tested

WhatsApp is free to instal (from nan Google Play Store) and free to usage (although location is simply a Premium action that adds things for illustration themability).

3. Facebook Messenger

Although I hesitate to see this app, I cannot disregard it because it happens to beryllium nan 1 I usage nan most. And though Facebook has go a cesspool itself, nan Messenger app is still beautiful solid.

According to Bank My Call, Facebook Messenger has complete 1.04 cardinal worldwide users, which is not excessively shabby.

What I for illustration astir Facebook Messenger is that I do not person to person someone's telephone number to chat pinch them. As agelong arsenic they are friends of excavation connected Facebook, I tin nonstop them messages each time and night.

Also: How to delete Facebook, Messenger, aliases Instagram - if you want Meta retired of your life

The Facebook Messenger characteristic database includes some matter messaging and sound calls, group chats and rooms, media aliases record sharing, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, blocking, QR codes, and more.

You tin instal and usage Facebook Messenger for free, but you do person to person a Facebook relationship to usage it (which is besides free).

4. Telegram

Telegram has much features than immoderate different messaging app connected nan market. That is particularly awesome for powerfulness users.

One unsocial characteristic of Telegram is unreality sync. With this feature, you tin commencement a connection connected 1 instrumentality and past decorativeness it connected another. 

You besides get features for illustration ample groups and chats (with up to 200,000 members for groups), record sharing (up to 2 GB record size), connection editing aliases deleting, chat folders, scheduled and silent messages, concealed chats, usernames, 2-factor authentication, animated stickers and emoji, and more.

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The 1 caveat pinch utilizing Telegram is that you do not get end-to-end encryption, which intends that personification could intercept and publication your messages (if they cognize how). If you're superior astir security, that mightiness origin you to difficult walk connected Telegram.

Telegram tin beryllium installed for free from nan Google Play Store.

5. Signal

If you're superior astir security, past Signal is nan app you should beryllium using. Like Telegram, Signal has a ton of features, but what makes Signal really guidelines retired is nan precocious open-source Signal Protocol that provides mandatory end-to-end encryption for each messages and calls.

Signal besides collects nan bare minimum metadata, offers disappearing messages, and features information numbers to forestall connection interception (so moreover Signal cannot entree your communications). You besides get a Signal PIN for recovering profiles, settings, and contacts (all of which Signal cannot access).

Also: What is Signal? 7 features that make it a go-to app for private, unafraid messaging

In different words, if you want superior information for your messages, Signal is nan app to use.

You tin instal and usage Signal for free from nan Google Play Store.