What you need to know
- Samsung Messages no longer works in the U.S., but a new app aims to recreate the familiar One UI messaging experience.
- Messages by OzarksMade supports SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, and conversation categories.
- You'll still need Google Messages installed since Google's RCS infrastructure isn't open to third-party apps.
- The app is currently in beta, with a public release planned later for a one-time purchase price of $0.99.
Samsung discontinued its Samsung Messages app in the U.S. earlier this month, but a new third-party app aims to bring back the same experience, complete with the familiar One UI design and RCS support.
Earlier this year, Samsung confirmed that , encouraging users to switch to Google Messages instead. That deadline has now passed, and Galaxy users in the U.S. can no longer send or receive messages through Samsung Messages.
Thankfully, a developer has stepped in to fill the gap.
A new app called Messages by OzarksMade has been built specifically for Samsung users who miss the old Samsung Messages experience.
According to the developer, the goal is to recreate Samsung's messaging app as closely as possible, complete with the familiar One UI design, while also supporting modern RCS messaging and bringing back many of the features Galaxy users have come to expect.
This feels surprisingly close to Samsung Messages
(Image credit: OzarksMade)
The current beta already supports SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, group messaging, scheduled messages, and more. It also includes like conversation categories. Chat themes are still missing for now, but the developer says they're already planned for the next update.
Since Samsung retired its own messaging app, the company has been directing users towards on Galaxy phones. And while Google Messages has improved significantly over the past few years and now offers many of the same features, it still doesn't completely replicate the Samsung Messages experience. That's exactly the gap this app is trying to fill.
There is one important limitation, though. Because Google doesn't allow third-party apps direct access to its RCS infrastructure, you'll still need Google Messages installed in the background for RCS to work. Even so, you'll continue using Messages by OzarksMade as your primary messaging app.
I haven't had a chance to try the beta myself just yet, but I'll be going hands-on with it very soon. If you're interested, you can already through the developer's website.
Once development is complete and the app leaves beta, the developer says it will be available for a one-time purchase of $0.99.