How to get Samsung Messages into new Galaxy s26 Ultra?

[hummingbirdhill]

S26 Ultra comes with Google Messages---which is disgustingly different & difficult from the easy-to-use Samsung Messages that I've used since my Note 2 in 2012. I spent a very long wasted time today in vain attempting to find Samsung Messages in the Galaxy Store.. If I cannot get Samsung Messages into the s26, I'll have a 4-day old s26 for sale at a great price---but I'd much prefer to get the Samsung Messages on it. Can someone please advise me?

 

[notforhire]

can you download it from the Galaxy Store?

 

[hummingbirdhill]

can you download it from the Galaxy Store?

I spent about a half hour looking for it on a search in Galaxy Store & it never appeared. I'm wondering if Samsung made a hunk of money by allowing Google to have the texting app henceforth in their new phones. Google told me that the s25 also has Google Messages. I'm about at my 84 year old wit's end trying to deal with Google Messages!

 

[VidJunky]

Samsung is phasing out Samsung Messages. Since you've confirmed that you've searched the Galaxy Store and cannot find it, I'm guessing it starts with the newest flagship, no more Sammy Messages.

When asked about Samsung Messages being phased out Google said this.

Samsung is phasing out the native Samsung Messages app in favor of Google Messages, which is now the default app on new devices like the Galaxy S25. While older phones can still use Samsung Messages, it no longer supports RCS (Rich Communication Services) on many US carriers, resulting in a loss of features like typing indicators and high-quality image sharing.

Key Details on the Shift:

• Default App Status: Google Messages comes pre-installed as the default app, while Samsung Messages is no longer pre-loaded on new models.
• RCS Support Ended: Starting in early 2025, Samsung Messages lost RCS support on several carriers, including Verizon.
• Availability: Although being phased out, the Samsung Messages app remains available for download on the Galaxy Store.
• Reasoning: The move is a collaboration with Google to provide a more consistent, feature-rich, and universally compatible messaging experience (RCS) across Android devices.
  

Despite this transition, users can still download and use Samsung Messages if they prefer its interface, though it will not offer the same, modern messaging capabilities as Google Messages.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

Samsung is phasing out Samsung Messages. Since you've confirmed that you've searched the Galaxy Store and cannot find it, I'm guessing it starts with the newest flagship, no more Sammy Messages.

When asked about Samsung Messages being phased out Google said this.

Samsung is phasing out the native Samsung Messages app in favor of Google Messages, which is now the default app on new devices like the Galaxy S25. While older phones can still use Samsung Messages, it no longer supports RCS (Rich Communication Services) on many US carriers, resulting in a loss of features like typing indicators and high-quality image sharing.

Key Details on the Shift:

• Default App Status: Google Messages comes pre-installed as the default app, while Samsung Messages is no longer pre-loaded on new models.
• RCS Support Ended: Starting in early 2025, Samsung Messages lost RCS support on several carriers, including Verizon.
• Availability: Although being phased out, the Samsung Messages app remains available for download on the Galaxy Store.
• Reasoning: The move is a collaboration with Google to provide a more consistent, feature-rich, and universally compatible messaging experience (RCS) across Android devices.

Despite this transition, users can still download and use Samsung Messages if they prefer its interface, though it will not offer the same, modern messaging capabilities as Google Messages.

Thank you for this info! HOW should I be able to FIND Samsung Messages in Galaxy Store? I typed Samsung Messages into the search box but it never showed me Samsung Messages.

 

[BerryBubbles]

This may not work, but this link is to the Galaxy Store for the version that is on my s24U. It's worth a try...

https://apps.samsung.com/appquery/appDetail.as?appId=com.samsung.android.messaging&cId=000008597489

 

[hummingbirdhill]

This may not work, but this link is to the Galaxy Store for the version that is on my s24U. It's worth a try...

https://apps.samsung.com/appquery/appDetail.as?appId=com.samsung.android.messaging&cId=000008597489

Thank you very much for this link; however when I clicked it, this is what it says: "Application not supported. This app is no longer available for purchase or is not supported in this country."

 

[BerryBubbles]

Thank you very much for this link; however when I clicked it, this is what it says: "Application not supported. This app is no longer available for purchase or is not supported in this country."

Oh, I'm so sorry. I was hoping for the best. For reference, I'm in the US. If I find anything else to try, I'll post again.

 

[Sizzers]

S26 Ultra comes with Google Messages---which is disgustingly different & difficult from the easy-to-use Samsung Messages that I've used since my Note 2 in 2012. I spent a very long wasted time today in vain attempting to find Samsung Messages in the Galaxy Store.. If I cannot get Samsung Messages into the s26, I'll have a 4-day old s26 for sale at a great price---but I'd much prefer to get the Samsung Messages on it. Can someone please advise me?

Seems to be an issue with the S26 range in general:

Samsung Messages incompatible or missing on your new S26? Here's why

Many users are reporting that Samsung Messages is missing or incompatible on their new S26, and this is due to a region issue.

piunikaweb.com

https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S26/Samsung-Messages-no-longer-available-with-the-S26-series/td-p/3501529/page/2

Hopefully Samsung will fix it before not too long for you.

 

[BrüZZi]

You can always download the Samsung Messages APK file.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

You can always download the Samsung Messages APK file.

I thought of that but I've never done that. Where do I find a safe APK for Samsung Messages? And how do I correctly add it in to my s26?

 

[BrüZZi]

Let me find a good APK link for you.

 

[BrüZZi]

First Go To:
⁃ Settings ≻
⁃ Apps ≻
⁃ Press The 3 Dots ⋮ ≻
⁃ Special Access ≻
⁃ Install Unknown Apps ≻
⁃ Turn On The Browser/Source You're Downloading The APK File from

Then,
⁃ Download Samsung Messages APK
⁃ Install It
⁃ Open It & Accept The Permissions
⁃ Click "Continue With Messages"
⁃ After The "App Was Denied Access"
Warning Pops Up, Click Close


Now Go To:
⁃ Settings ≻
⁃ Apps ≻
⁃ Samsung Messages ≻
⁃ Press The 3 Dots ⋮ ≻
⁃ Click Allow Restricted Settings.

⁃ Go Back To Previous Screen ≻
⁃ Click Choose Default Apps ≻
⁃ SMS Apps ≻
⁃ Choose Samsung Message As Default

 

[hummingbirdhill]

First Go To:
⁃ Settings ≻
⁃ Apps ≻
⁃ Press The 3 Dots ⋮ ≻
⁃ Special Access ≻
⁃ Install Unknown Apps ≻
⁃ Turn On The Browser/Source You're Downloading The APK File from.

Then,
• Download Samsung Messages APK
• Install It
• Open It & Accept The Permissions
• Click Continue With Messages
• After The "App was Denied Access"
Warning, Click Close.


Now Go To:
⁃ Settings ≻
⁃ Apps ≻
⁃ Samsung Messages ≻
⁃ Press The 3 Dots ⋮ ≻
⁃ Click Allow Restricted Settings.

⁃ Go Back To Previous Screen ≻
⁃ Click Choose Default Apps ≻
⁃ SMS Apps ≻
⁃ Choose Samsung Message As Default.

Thank you Bruzzi. I'll attempt to find a safe APK.

 

[mustang7757]

Here is the link and safe

Download Samsung Messages APKs for Android - APKMirror

Download Samsung Messages APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads

www.apkmirror.com

 

[hummingbirdhill]

Here is the link and safe

Download Samsung Messages APKs for Android - APKMirror

Download Samsung Messages APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads

www.apkmirror.com

Thank you, mustang; I'm ready to download the Samsung Messages APK from apkmirror.com. It says Add SafeSuggest in Chrome---What does that mean? I use only Chrome for a browser. What is SafeSuggest and how should it be added to Chrome?

 

[BrüZZi]

Edit:
Only the 16.7.90.105 version works for me.
The other versions...
16.2.10.27
16.2.10.21
16.2.10.11
16.2.01.17
cannot be installed.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

Edit:
Only the 16.7.90.105 version works for me.
The other versions...
16.2.10.27
16.2.10.21
16.2.10.11
16.2.01.17
cannot be installed.

So, Bruzzi, what phone model were you putting this APK on?

 

[BrüZZi]

S26 Ultra
I use Google Messages App.
Just installed the Samsung Messages APK to help you.

Again for whatever reason I cant install any other APK version except 16.7.90.105 or I get this message:

 

[hummingbirdhill]

S26 Ultra
I use Google Messages App.
Just installed the Samsung Messages APK to help you.

Thank you! I've not tried yet because I'm too fatigued tonight to concentrate on each step I need to do. It'll probably be Sunday or Monday before I can try it.