In a subtle yet significant shift, Samsung has introduced updates to its Messages app, enhancing user experience with features that allow for message editing and the automatic deletion of one-time passwords (OTPs). This announcement came quietly last month, coinciding with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series, which notably does not come preinstalled with the Samsung Messages app for the first time.
New Features in Samsung Messages
The recent updates to the Samsung Messages app include:
- The ability to edit messages sent to other Galaxy devices running One UI 7. Users can now long-press a sent message, select the edit option, modify the text, and resend it. Each edited message is marked, and a history of edits can be accessed by tapping the edit mark. This feature allows for up to three edits within a 15-minute window after sending.
- An auto-delete function for OTP messages, which are crucial for two-factor authentication. When activated, these messages will move to the trash after 24 hours and be permanently deleted after 30 days. Users can enable this feature through the app’s settings menu.
Despite previous statements from Samsung indicating a sunset for the Messages app, the continued rollout of updates suggests otherwise. Users have noted that RCS (Rich Communication Services) support remains active, further indicating that Samsung is not fully transitioning to Google Messages, as previously stated.
The editing feature’s compatibility is likely limited to RCS messages, as the SMS standard does not support such functionality. In contrast, Google Messages offers similar features without device restrictions, highlighting a potential area of competitive differentiation.
While these features are reportedly available on the Galaxy S25, some users have encountered limitations based on regional software versions. For instance, the auto-delete OTP feature was found on Korean units running a specific version of the app, while the US variant was not updated to include these enhancements.
As Samsung continues to navigate its messaging strategy, the introduction of these features may signal a renewed commitment to the Samsung Messages app, despite earlier indications of its decline. Users are encouraged to explore these updates and share their experiences with the new functionalities.
