Why Samsung Messages is not preinstalled on Galaxy telephones

Samsung lately removed Samsung Messages as a preinstalled app, with the brand new Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 being the primary Galaxy telephones to ship with out it. However why did they take away it? And is it even nonetheless a viable Galaxy phone app?

Right this moment, I will stroll you thru Samsung Messages‘ demise and what even precipitated it within the first place. I am going to additionally level forward to its future to see if it might make a comeback or disappear like many once-great out of date apps.

What’s Samsung Messages?

Most Galaxy patrons used it in some unspecified time in the future

Samsung Messages was as soon as the default messaging app on all Galaxy telephones. It was baked into the One UI interface to offer a easy and intuitive messaging platform for sending SMS and MMS messages earlier than the introduction of Google Messages. Both messaging apps work properly and have related options, though some customers want the clutter-free design and ease of Samsung Messages over its extra superior competitor.

When did Google Messages substitute Samsung Messages on Galaxy telephones?

A gradual takeover spanning years

The reply is not so easy. The primary indicators of change occurred in 2021 when Google Messages turned a local app for the Samsung Galaxy S21, though Samsung Messages was nonetheless the default choice. Issues modified in 2022 when Google Messages turned the default app on Galaxy S22, changing Samsung Messages for the primary time. It marked a shift for the corporate, however it wasn’t a giant deal for customers who might simply switch to their previous messaging platform, which was nonetheless put in as a One UI app.

All subsequent Samsung Galaxy telephones, together with the S23, S24, and numerous flip and fold fashions, adopted swimsuit with Google Messages because the default app and Samsung Messages as the choice choice constructed into the telephone. Quick-forward to 2024, and Google Messenger is the official messaging app on the most recent Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 telephones, whereas Samsung Messages is now an non-compulsory obtain from the Samsung retailer. Nevertheless, this variation is simply within the US, and Galaxy telephones in different territories nonetheless ship with Samsung Messages preinstalled.

Why did Google Messages grow to be the default app on Samsung Galaxy telephones?

You possibly can’t maintain again new know-how from the lots

Google messages are taking heart stage due to the implementation of its RCS know-how. For individuals who do not know, the RCS (Wealthy Communications Providers) protocol permits customers to ship movies, GIFs, pictures, and different multimedia messages over the web, like WhatsApp and Sign, as an alternative of by means of the service community. It makes it simpler to ship and obtain recordsdata and presents different advantages like end-to-end encryption, typing indicators, group chats, and skim receipts to enhance the general messaging expertise.

For RCS to work, each the sending and receiving telephones and the carriers should assist the protocol. Regardless of being an open-standard know-how, the RCS rollout from carriers was sluggish, and Google took cost by implementing it on all Android telephones by way of Google Messages. The advantages are apparent, and having a single messaging service as the usual throughout all Android telephones means individuals can talk effectively whereas sustaining the best ranges of efficiency and safety.

Samsung additionally applied RCS into its messaging platform however had various outcomes due to inconsistent service assist. Samsung Messages can also be deprived as a result of it is native to Galaxy telephones and does not supply cross-platform RCS assist with Google Pixel, OnePlus, or different Android manufacturers.

Google needs to supply environment friendly cross-platform communication throughout all Android units, so the corporate has pushed OEMs and carriers to assist Google Messenger as the answer. The tactic has paid off, with all new Android telephones able to RCS chats by way of Google Messenger. Apple can even implement RCS on iPhones by way of the iOS 18 replace this yr to open the door for true cross-device chats sooner or later.

The longer term for Samsung Messages

Will it make a comeback or face the scrap heap?

Samsung appears to have admitted defeat by taking the backseat and permitting Google Messenger to grow to be the driving, default app on its units — although, there was in all probability no various. The corporate might both deny its customers the most recent messaging options and undermine their Galaxy expertise or give them the most effective chat choice from Google that works throughout manufacturers and carriers.

As talked about earlier, Samsung Messages continues to be a pre-installed app in lots of territories, and it is solely within the US the place it is now not bundled as a normal app on the most recent Galaxy units. Its huge proliferation amongst Samsung units means it ought to nonetheless be supported for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, there is not any doubt that its reputation is waning amongst tech-savvy individuals who need the most recent options.

Future patrons will in all probability stick to the default Google Messages reasonably than obtain Samsung Messages except they need particular options. You possibly can’t blame Samsung for chucking up the sponge as a result of resisting Google’s ecosystem is futile, and it isn’t price preventing a dropping battle.

Samsung Messages could also be on its means out, however it can have a prolonged farewell tour on current Galaxy telephones worldwide earlier than its demise.

Is it nonetheless price utilizing Samsung Messages on Galaxy telephones?

There are professionals and cons for each person

It will depend on you. Samsung Messages continues to be an honest messaging platform utilized by numerous individuals worldwide — it is steady and user-friendly, and folks utilizing WhatsApp and different third-party apps for RCS chats may not thoughts its lack of cutting-edge options as a result of they’re pleased with the options.

Then again, RCS is the longer term. It is already proved itself on most units, and its inclusion within the new iPhones is a game-changer for the trade. It is sensible for Android house owners to improve to Google Messages in the event that they have not completed so already to get true cross-platform connectivity with the latest features and finest safety.