Verizon first announced in October that it was going to shut down the Messages+ app, which it implied was getting in the way of a modern messaging experience backed by RCS, which the proposed alternative Google Messages supported.
In the run-up to the December 9 shutdown, the company kept reminding users that Verizon Messages+ would stop working soon. Google prepared a little guide of its own to address the misconceptions some Verizon subscribers had about Google Messages.
Now that December 9 is finally here, the app has been killed off, and those who haven't installed Google Messages yet can't access their older text messages any longer. On its website, Verizon assures customers that SMS and MMS are still present in local storage but a replacement messaging app is required to access them.
Verizon Messages+ is officially not supported any longer. | Image Credit - Verizon
9to5Google says that when users try to launch the app, they get a pop-up informing them that another app will have to be downloaded to get messages back. The entire experience won't translate over though because Google Messages lacks some Verizon Messages+-specific features.
Verizon Messages+ has stopped functioning. | Image Credit - 9to5Google
Some users complain that they switched to Google Messages well before the deadline but some messages have still not been transferred. It usually takes a day or two for all messages to transfer over. However, since Verizon Messages+ saved texts locally, messages are unlikely to be lost. It's possible that users who can't find their messages have not set Google Messages as the default SMS app, affecting the message history transfer process.
Ive had google messages for a couple weeks and not all the messages transferred. So I've been referencing the old app until today, now I can't even open the old app.
joebrotcity, Reddit user, December 2024
In related news, Samsung Messages has also been deprecated on Verizon and will stop supporting RCS soon. Has Google Messages been thrust upon us? Not really, as you can use other alternatives like Textra, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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