A popular Samsung app is missing from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6

By Ajay Kumar Published July 22, 2024

Google messages versus samsung messages app icons side by side on Galaxy Z Fold 5. — Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

If you’re a Samsung user with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Galaxy Z Fold 6, you may have noticed a popular Samsung app missing. According to Max Winebach on X (formerly Twitter), Samsung has removed the preinstalled Samsung Messages app in favor of moving everyone over to Google Messages with RCS enabled default.

Winebach posted the full message from the Samsung Members app, which suggests that the change only applies to the Flip 6, Fold 6, and newer models, which would be anything upcoming in Samsung’s future lineup, like the anticipated Galaxy S25 series. Digital Trends’ mobile section editor Joe Maring also confirmed that Samsung Messages is not on the Fold 6 or Flip 6 by default.

Recommended Videos

I checked my Galaxy S23 Ultra to confirm the news. I still have both Samsung Messages and Google Messages installed on my devices, which seems to confirm the change doesn’t apply retroactively. The Samsung Messages app will also remain available for download through the Galaxy Store, though according to Samsung, “some features will be excluded.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Samsung Messages is no longer pre-loaded! Google Messages (with RCS enabled by default) only pic.twitter.com/GoMqyM2p4Z

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) July 20, 2024

This change also varies by region. According to Mishaal Rahman, the Samsung Messages app is still preinstalled in Canadian and European versions of the device. Currently, only U.S. unlocked/carrier units don’t come with it preinstalled.

It’s pretty clear that Samsung intends to sunset the Samsung Messages app sooner rather than later, and there’s really no reason for you to keep using Samsung Messages, although both technically support RCS. Google Messages has RCS support enabled, meaning you get better group chat functionality, support for images, videos, and file sharing, along with quality-of-life features like read receipts, real-time typing indicators, and end-to-end encryption.

With the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 now available for preorder, you should be able to see the app changes yourself soon once the devices start shipping.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ajay has worked in tech journalism for more than a decade as a reporter, analyst, and editor.

Mobile

The Oppo Find N5 shows what Samsung must do with the Z Fold 7

The front display on the Oppo Find N5

For the past five years, I’ve used a folding phone as one of my primary devices, and the journey to finding the perfect size and style has taken many twists and turns.

The original Galaxy Fold introduced a new concept to the mainstream, but then, Samsung settled into a pattern of making small but important refinements each year. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was the most refined version yet, but it started to struggle against competition that released thinner and lighter foldables.

Mobile

Our first look at the Galaxy Z Flip 7 reveals more than just design

A person taking a photo with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

We finally know what the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will look like, and it's hard not to be enamored with its Gameboy SP vibes. The Z Flip 7 will have a 3.6-inch cover display that opens to a 6.8-inch internal display, making it officially larger than its predecessor. It's a welcome bump in size, although the Z Flip 7 is still smaller than other flip phones on the market.

The images come from an official CAD render leak for the Z Flip 7, first obtained by Android Headlines. While these leaks don't confirm the device's internal specs, they do make it easier to make educated guesses based on what we see.

Mobile

Samsung’s multi-fold phone is still far away, and that’s a good thing

The Huawei Mate XT.

Samsung's long-rumored and much-discussed tri-fold phone is on its way, but no one knows when it will arrive. Yesterday, Korean news outlet ETNews reported that the handset was likely to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip this summer, but now industry insider Max Jambor says it will arrive "at a later point in time."

Although ETNews cited "multiple industry sources," Jambor and other tipsters like Sanju Choudhary hold conflicting stances. Jambor shared his theory on X, and later responded to a comment saying, "They might give us a teaser, but it won't be fully unveiled." Ross Young suggested a similar 2026 launch window in December, as well.