Samsung replaced its Messages app with the Google Messages app as the default texting app in the Galaxy S25 series. The Korean firm even removed the Samsung Messages app from the Google Play Store, suggesting it wants to move away from its own messaging app. Now it looks like there’s a change in plan — the company is reportedly working on new features for its Messages app in One UI 8. This suggests Samsung may release an update to its Messages app, introducing a bunch of new features.
Samsung Messages may add several new features in One UI 8
In January 2025, Samsung confirmed that it opted to migrate all services to Google Messages and is sunsetting Samsung Messages. The company wants its users to experience RCS messaging functionality on Google Messages. But surprisingly, it has been working on its app for the past few months. For example, a few months ago, Samsung enabled RCS support in its app, and now it is testing some new features.
While digging into a new version of Samsung Messages found in the leaked One UI 8 firmware, folks over at Android Authority discovered some strings that revealed the app may soon get useful features from Google Messages. It looks like Samsung will borrow some features from Google Messages. After all, the two companies have a good relationship, so it won’t be surprising.
Leak suggests similar features from the Google Messages
The publication says Samsung Messages will adopt Birthday Reminders, a feature available in Google Messages, to notify users of a saved contact’s birthday. Another notable feature is the live location sharing that will allow users to share their live location with contacts. This is a similar feature Google is planning to introduce with its messaging app. However, there might be some difference in the functionality — it may use the Samsung Find app and require a Samsung account.
Additionally, Samsung Messages will also add support for emoji and sticker reactions, which are already available in Google Messages. Sticker reactions will work like Photomoji, allowing users to react to messages with custom stickers. Meanwhile, Samsung is also enhancing its Now Brief functionality in One UI 8, which will alert users about suspicious, malicious, and blocked messages.
It’s clear that the Korean firm has been quietly working on new features for its own messaging app, despite the plan to sunset the app. As Samsung may start the One UI 8 beta program this month, we expect more details to emerge in the coming days.
