Verizon has announced the end of RCS support for Samsung Messages on its network, effective January 6, 2025. This move follows Samsung’s earlier announcement to prioritize Google Messages and Verizon’s subsequent discontinuation of its own messaging app. While Samsung Messages will remain functional, Verizon users will lose RCS messaging capabilities after the cutoff date.
This change primarily affects Verizon customers. Samsung Messages’ RCS functionality relies on carrier support, meaning other carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T could potentially continue offering RCS support for the app. However, Verizon users are being encouraged to transition to Google Messages.
The announcement has sparked user frustration, with many expressing their preference for Samsung Messages over Google Messages. While Google Messages offers a robust RCS experience, it lacks some features valued by Samsung Messages users. Specific concerns include the organization of conversations, prioritization of messages during Do Not Disturb mode, and the ability to filter promotional texts, features that some users find superior in Samsung Messages.
This leaves Verizon subscribers with a difficult choice. Continuing to use Samsung Messages after the cutoff date will mean a diminished messaging experience without RCS features. Conversely, switching to Google Messages means adapting to a different interface and potentially losing preferred features. For those who haven’t yet made the switch, now is a good time to explore Google Messages and prepare for the upcoming change.
This transition highlights the ongoing evolution of messaging services and the challenges users face as platforms and carriers make changes. While the change may be disruptive for some, it underscores the growing importance of RCS as the future of messaging. For Verizon users still relying on Samsung Messages for RCS communication, the January 6, 2025 deadline marks an important date to remember.
