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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Samsung is ending its messaging app someday in July.
- Android 12 or newer customers should swap to Google Messages.
- Again up your messages to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.
The reckoning is right here. Effectively, virtually right here, and perhaps rather less dramatic than I am describing. Samsung lately confirmed that it will be shuttering its personal Messages app in favor of Google’s, requiring customers on Samsung telephones operating Android 12 or newer to make the swap in July in the event that they have not carried out so already.
This sunsetting marks an almost 16-year run for the proprietary communication platform, which has constructed fairly a cult following over time. However nobody needs to be shocked to see this coming. Simply two years in the past, Samsung started delivery its newest Galaxy telephones with Google Messages set because the default messaging app. Extra lately, you would not even be capable of obtain the Samsung Messages app on telephones just like the Galaxy S26 collection.
Additionally: Samsung is ending Messages in July: 5 replacements I might swap to now
So, what offers? There are many unofficial theories behind the transition, however the prevailing assumption is straightforward: Samsung now not needs the burden of managing its personal messaging servers. It makes extra sense at hand the reins to Google, which has steadily constructed a platform dwelling to billions of Android customers. Between the sensible, safety, and monetary ramifications, the transfer simply is smart for the enterprise.
That stated, when you’re like me and wish to again up any essential messages from over time, you’ve got acquired choices. I will go over essentially the most dependable ones beneath, forgoing those that contain third-party companies that will put your private info in danger.
1. Backing up your messages domestically
Your most safe backup possibility is an area switch to an exterior storage drive, or SSD. Relying on what number of months’ or years’ price of messages you will be transferring, you will wish to ensure that the drive has sufficient reminiscence to host the info.
That is typically a great time to look over your varied threads and conversations and delete those you don’t need (or have) to retailer, corresponding to 2FA and OTA codes, transaction histories, and receipts.
To again up your Samsung Messages texts, join your SSD to your telephone, open the Good Swap app by going to “Settings” > “Accounts and backup” > “Good Swap,” choose the storage icon within the prime proper nook, then “Again up”, and faucet “Messages.” The telephone ought to start packaging your texts right into a readable file.
2. Backing up your messages to the cloud
It may be intimidating for some, however cloud backups are rather more dependable and useful than they was, because of safety enhancements to companies like Samsung Knox, which comes inbuilt on most fashionable Samsung telephones. It is also an intuitive method to again up and restore information — not simply textual content messages — once you ultimately swap to a brand new system.
Additionally: How I saved myself $1,200 a yr in cloud storage – in 5 sobering steps
There are two native cloud companies you could again up your Samsung Messages to: Samsung Cloud and Google Drive. Personally, I might suggest the latter, because it’s extra accessible throughout telephones and PCs, together with non-Samsung gadgets. Google Drive additionally comes with 15GB of free storage, versus Samsung’s 5GB, in case you have not been benefiting from that profit.
Here is the breakdown of the 2 companies that will help you higher resolve. If it helps, there’s an argument for backing as much as each companies.
| Function | Samsung Cloud | Google One/Drive |
| Very best for | Galaxy-to-Galaxy transitions | Multi-device and cross-brand sync |
| Free storage quantity | 5GB (varies by area/plan) | 15GB (shared with Gmail/Drive) |
| Pictures/movies | Synced through Microsoft OneDrive | Managed through Google Pictures |
| Gadget settings | Deep backup of Residence display, alarms, and so forth. | Primary Android settings backup |
| App assist | Samsung apps (Notes, Calendar) | Google apps and third-party app information |
| Accessibility | Finest on Samsung gadgets | Accessible on net, iOS, and Android |
For each companies, you’ll be able to again up your texts by opening “Settings” > “Accounts and backup” > “Again up information” beneath Samsung Cloud and/or Google Drive. You may be required to register to both your Samsung account or Google account, relying on the service.
If the method is finished correctly, the respective settings pages ought to present your final backed-up timestamp as in the present day’s date.
What occurs subsequent?
Together with your textual content messages backed up, I might suggest you begin testing Google Messages, or different communication platforms, to see which one you’d choose earlier than Samsung finally pulls the plug in July. Whereas the corporate hasn’t confirmed the precise date of the sunsetting, it by no means hurts to organize your self forward of time.
Additionally: use Google Messages’ new Trash function to get well texts you by accident deleted
Personally, I am switching to Google Messages. It might not have the identical personalization options as Samsung’s, however it has its benefits, like a extra common RCS system that is not restricted to any particular provider, some helpful Gemini integrations, good replies and native AI picture technology, and, from what I’ve skilled, a extra dependable spam detector.
