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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, nearly right here, and possibly rather less dramatic than I am describing. Samsung not too long ago 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 performed so already.
This sunsetting marks a virtually 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 not too long ago, you would not even have the ability to obtain the Samsung Messages app on telephones just like the Galaxy S26 sequence.
Additionally: Samsung is ending Messages in July: 5 replacements I might change to now
So, what provides? There are many unofficial theories behind the transition, however the prevailing assumption is straightforward: Samsung now not desires the burden of managing its personal messaging servers. It makes extra sense at hand the reins to Google, which has steadily constructed a platform house to billions of Android customers. Between the sensible, safety, and monetary ramifications, the transfer simply is sensible for the enterprise.
That mentioned, for those who’re like me and wish to again up any essential messages from through the years, you’ve got bought choices. I am going to go over essentially the most dependable ones beneath, forgoing those that contain third-party companies which will put your private info in danger.
1. Backing up your messages domestically
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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 transferring, you may wish to ensure that the drive has sufficient reminiscence to host the info.
That is typically a superb time to look over your numerous threads and conversations and delete those you do not need (or have) to retailer, comparable 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 high 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 far more dependable and useful than they was once, due to safety enhancements to companies like Samsung Knox, which comes inbuilt on most trendy Samsung telephones. It is also an intuitive approach to again up and restore information — not simply textual content messages — once you finally change to a brand new gadget.
Additionally: How I saved myself $1,200 a 12 months in cloud storage – in 5 sobering steps
There are two native cloud companies which you could again up your Samsung Messages to: Samsung Cloud and Google Drive. Personally, I might advocate the latter, because it’s extra accessible throughout telephones and PCs, together with non-Samsung units. Google Drive additionally comes with 15GB of free storage, versus Samsung’s 5GB, in case you have not been making the most of that profit.
This is the breakdown of the 2 companies that can assist you higher resolve. If it helps, there’s an argument for backing as much as each companies.
FunctionSamsung CloudGoogle One/DrivePerfect forGalaxy-to-Galaxy transitionsMulti-device and cross-brand syncFree storage quantity5GB (varies by area/plan)15GB (shared with Gmail/Drive)Pictures/moviesSynced by way of Microsoft OneDriveManaged by way of Google PicturesMachine settingsDeep backup of Residence display screen, alarms, and so on.Fundamental Android settings backupApp helpSamsung apps (Notes, Calendar)Google apps and third-party app knowledgeAccessibilityGreatest on Samsung devicesAccessible on internet, iOS, and Android
For each companies, you may again up your texts by opening Settings > Accounts and backup > Again up knowledge beneath 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 completed correctly, the respective settings pages ought to present your final backed-up timestamp, which must be at the moment’s date.
What occurs subsequent?
Along with your textual content messages backed up, I might advocate 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: The way to use Google Messages’ new Trash function to get well texts you unintentionally 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 service, some helpful Gemini integrations, sensible replies and native AI picture era, and, from what I’ve skilled, a extra dependable spam detector. We could even see some newer options as quickly as later this month.
