Samsung Messages is set to be discontinued in July 2026, marking the end of an era for many users. Upon acquiring my Galaxy S26 last month, I noticed that Samsung Messages was absent from the pre-installed apps. Following Samsung’s recommendation, I opted for Google Messages, which seemed like the logical choice. However, my experience with it was short-lived.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon Fossify Messages, a free and open-source app that prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing functionality. After using it for about a week, I can confidently say it feels like a worthy successor to Samsung Messages.
What are you replacing Samsung Messages with?
- Google Messages: 60%
- Fossify Messages: 20%
- Textra: 10%
- Other: 10% (let us know in the comments)
Why Google Messages didn’t make the cut for me
Despite my efforts to embrace Google Messages, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t tailored for my preferences. While the app features a clean interface, it carries a distinctly “Google” aesthetic that felt jarring after using Samsung’s suite of applications.
The primary drawback was the lack of customization options. Users can only change chat bubble colors for individual conversations, with no ability to alter backgrounds or fonts. The themes available are limited to light and dark modes, and while I appreciate a dark theme, Google’s implementation left much to be desired.
Additionally, the inclusion of Gemini—a feature designed to enhance messaging through AI—felt more distracting than beneficial. I prefer messaging to be straightforward and uncomplicated, and while Gemini’s capabilities are impressive, they don’t align with my needs. Thankfully, Google allows users to disable this feature, which I took advantage of.
These limitations prompted me to seek alternatives, even at the cost of losing RCS functionality. Ultimately, this search led me to Fossify Messages, and I couldn’t be happier with the switch.
What makes Fossify Messages worth switching to
Fossify Messages distinguishes itself from both Google and Samsung Messages by embracing a minimalist approach. It excels at delivering essential features—SMS, MMS, group messaging, message scheduling, and a search function—without unnecessary distractions or AI clutter. This focus on simplicity results in a lightweight and fast user experience.
Moreover, Fossify Messages is entirely free, a rarity in the realm of popular SMS applications that often push users toward paid subscriptions for ad removal or additional features. In contrast, Fossify offers a completely ad-free experience without locked functionalities.
The open-source nature of Fossify Messages is another significant advantage. Users can inspect the code, ensuring transparency and data privacy. Notably, the app does not require an account and operates offline, further enhancing user security.
The small details Fossify Messages gets right
While the open-source aspect and uncluttered interface initially attracted me to Fossify Messages, it was the thoughtful details that solidified my loyalty. For instance, the app allows for selective text copying, a feature absent in Google Messages. This functionality is particularly useful for extracting specific information without copying entire messages.
Fossify also offers the option to secure the app with a PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication—an added layer of protection that my Galaxy phone lacks natively. Customization options extend beyond basic themes, allowing users to choose from various color schemes and even change font styles, providing a personalized touch to the messaging experience. While the inability to change chat backgrounds is a slight drawback, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall appeal.
Additionally, Fossify Messages supports local backups, enabling users to transfer their messages seamlessly when switching devices. Although these features may not be groundbreaking, they address shortcomings I encountered with Google Messages.
Samsung Messages remains hard to beat
Despite the merits of Fossify Messages, Samsung Messages still holds a strong position in the market. I miss features like chat organization into categories and the ability to customize conversations with images from my gallery. The seamless integration of Samsung Messages with my Galaxy device is also a significant advantage.
While Google Messages offers RCS, which is crucial for many users, I find that the trade-offs associated with it are not a dealbreaker for my needs. This realization underscores why Fossify Messages has become my preferred choice.
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Samsung Messages is dying — here’s the open-source alternative I’m replacing it with
Samsung Messages is set to be discontinued in July 2026, marking the end of an era for many users. Upon acquiring my Galaxy S26 last month, I noticed that Samsung Messages was absent from the pre-installed apps. Following Samsung’s recommendation, I opted for Google Messages, which seemed like the logical choice. However, my experience with it was short-lived.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon Fossify Messages, a free and open-source app that prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing functionality. After using it for about a week, I can confidently say it feels like a worthy successor to Samsung Messages.
What are you replacing Samsung Messages with?
Why Google Messages didn’t make the cut for me
Despite my efforts to embrace Google Messages, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t tailored for my preferences. While the app features a clean interface, it carries a distinctly “Google” aesthetic that felt jarring after using Samsung’s suite of applications.
The primary drawback was the lack of customization options. Users can only change chat bubble colors for individual conversations, with no ability to alter backgrounds or fonts. The themes available are limited to light and dark modes, and while I appreciate a dark theme, Google’s implementation left much to be desired.
Additionally, the inclusion of Gemini—a feature designed to enhance messaging through AI—felt more distracting than beneficial. I prefer messaging to be straightforward and uncomplicated, and while Gemini’s capabilities are impressive, they don’t align with my needs. Thankfully, Google allows users to disable this feature, which I took advantage of.
These limitations prompted me to seek alternatives, even at the cost of losing RCS functionality. Ultimately, this search led me to Fossify Messages, and I couldn’t be happier with the switch.
What makes Fossify Messages worth switching to
Fossify Messages distinguishes itself from both Google and Samsung Messages by embracing a minimalist approach. It excels at delivering essential features—SMS, MMS, group messaging, message scheduling, and a search function—without unnecessary distractions or AI clutter. This focus on simplicity results in a lightweight and fast user experience.
Moreover, Fossify Messages is entirely free, a rarity in the realm of popular SMS applications that often push users toward paid subscriptions for ad removal or additional features. In contrast, Fossify offers a completely ad-free experience without locked functionalities.
The open-source nature of Fossify Messages is another significant advantage. Users can inspect the code, ensuring transparency and data privacy. Notably, the app does not require an account and operates offline, further enhancing user security.
The small details Fossify Messages gets right
While the open-source aspect and uncluttered interface initially attracted me to Fossify Messages, it was the thoughtful details that solidified my loyalty. For instance, the app allows for selective text copying, a feature absent in Google Messages. This functionality is particularly useful for extracting specific information without copying entire messages.
Fossify also offers the option to secure the app with a PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication—an added layer of protection that my Galaxy phone lacks natively. Customization options extend beyond basic themes, allowing users to choose from various color schemes and even change font styles, providing a personalized touch to the messaging experience. While the inability to change chat backgrounds is a slight drawback, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall appeal.
Additionally, Fossify Messages supports local backups, enabling users to transfer their messages seamlessly when switching devices. Although these features may not be groundbreaking, they address shortcomings I encountered with Google Messages.
Samsung Messages remains hard to beat
Despite the merits of Fossify Messages, Samsung Messages still holds a strong position in the market. I miss features like chat organization into categories and the ability to customize conversations with images from my gallery. The seamless integration of Samsung Messages with my Galaxy device is also a significant advantage.
While Google Messages offers RCS, which is crucial for many users, I find that the trade-offs associated with it are not a dealbreaker for my needs. This realization underscores why Fossify Messages has become my preferred choice.
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