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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Samsung is ending its messaging app someday in July.
- Android 12 or newer customers should change to Google Messages.
- Again up your messages to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.
The reckoning is right here. Properly, virtually right here, and possibly 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 working Android 12 or newer to make the swap in July in the event that they have not achieved so already.
This sunsetting marks an almost 16-year run for the proprietary communication platform, one which has constructed fairly the cult following over time. However nobody must 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 would change to now
So, what offers? There are many unofficial theories behind the transition, however the prevailing assumption is easy: Samsung 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 sensible for the enterprise.
That stated, should you’re like me and wish to again up any necessary messages from through the years, you’ve got acquired choices. I will go over essentially the most dependable ones under, forgoing those that contain third-party providers which will put your private data in danger.
1. Backing up your messages regionally
Your most safe backup choice is an area switch to an exterior storage drive, or SSD. Relying on what number of months’ or years’ price of messages you may be shifting, you may wish to make sure that the drive has sufficient reminiscence to host the info.
That is usually a superb 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 cellphone, open the Sensible Swap app by going to Settings > Accounts and backup > Sensible Swap, choose the storage icon within the prime proper nook, then Again up, and faucet Messages. The cellphone 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 once, because of safety enhancements to providers like Samsung Knox, which comes in-built on most fashionable Samsung telephones. It is also an intuitive method to again up and restore recordsdata — not simply textual content messages — if you ultimately change to a brand new machine.
Additionally: How I saved myself $1,200 a yr in cloud storage – in 5 sobering steps
There are two native cloud providers that you would be able to again up your Samsung Messages to: Samsung Cloud and Google Drive. Personally, I would advocate 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 profiting from that profit.
Here is the breakdown of the 2 providers that will help you higher resolve. If it helps, there’s an argument for backing as much as each providers.
| Characteristic | 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 by way of Microsoft OneDrive | Managed by way of Google Pictures |
| System settings | Deep backup of Residence display, alarms, and so on. | Fundamental Android settings backup |
| App help | Samsung apps (Notes, Calendar) | Google apps and third-party app information |
| Accessibility | Finest on Samsung gadgets | Accessible on internet, iOS, and Android |
For each providers, you possibly can again up your texts by opening Settings > Accounts and backup > Again up information underneath Samsung Cloud and/or Google Drive. You may be required to sign up 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, which must be right this moment’s date.
What occurs subsequent?
Along with your textual content messages backed up, I would advocate you begin testing Google Messages, or different communication platforms, to see which one you’d want earlier than Samsung in the end pulls the plug in July. Whereas the corporate hasn’t confirmed the precise date of the sunsetting, it by no means hurts to arrange your self forward of time.
Additionally: Learn how to use Google Messages’ new Trash function to recuperate texts you unintentionally deleted
Personally, I am switching to Google Messages. It could 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 service, some helpful Gemini integrations, sensible replies and native AI picture technology, and, from what I’ve skilled, a extra dependable spam detector. We could even see some newer options as quickly as later this month.
