Google Messaging Alternatives for Samsung SMS: De-Google Series Part 3

Helpful for anyone looking for messaging app alternatives!

Jun 05, 2026

Samsung is discontinuing their Samsung Messages app starting in July 2026, and forcing their users to switch to Google Messages. Have no fear Samsung users - there are alternatives! 😁

But First - Updates!

• Format Changes: Starting this month, I will now be publishing category alternative articles every other week. On non-category alternative weeks, I’ll be sharing Boycott News Updates, similar to my Latest Boycott News Round Up from last fall.

• What does this mean? You will still get a new article every week, nothing changes there!

• Why are you doing this? I had actually intended to do this at the start of this year, but ended up covering a new category nearly every week. However, the depth and breath of category articles is not sustainable on a weekly level with the other things I do: make videos, activism work, The Learning Curve podcast, Live Q&As, etc. This change enables me to balance out my workload and keep my sanity, frankly 😂 while still giving you weekly updates.

• Live Q&A Recap for paid subscribers: The first live session was last week, woo! I’m working through reviewing & editing the recording to share with those who were unable to attend, more updates to come.

Additional Resources

I shared Discord Alternatives earlier this year if you’re looking for other chat/messaging options, though none of the apps featured support SMS messaging. You can also check out my Cellphone Carrier Alternatives article if you’re looking for a new provider.

Samsung SMS/Google Messages Alternatives

There’s a couple of key things to understand for context on the options available:

SMS Messaging Does Not Support Encryption: This means any SMS messaging alternative will not have encryption for messaging, because the technology doesn’t support it.

RCS ( Rich Communication Services) Messaging: RCS is basically trying to be the new standard of messaging for devices/carriers/operating systems, because it supports more functionality (media, reactions, read receipts, typing indications, etc.) and security through encryption. iOS phones have RCS, and Google and Apple have integrated end-to-end encryption between Android and iOS devices with supported carriers if the iPhone/iOS user has the new iOS 26.5 installed and the Android user has the latest version of Google Messages. Notably, my recommended carrier alternative, US Mobile, is not one of the supported carriers with this update.

• What does this all mean? While RCS seems to be generally a good thing by improving cellphone/text message capabilities and security, it seems that if you want to utilize RCS on an Android phone, the only way is through Google Messages and you can’t use RCS via other apps. In my opinion, RCS is a nice-to-have but not a must-have.

Maximum Privacy & Functionality Recommended Setup

• For friends, family, and close contacts that you talk to often, use Signal. The other person will need to have Signal in order for them to receive your message, but it’s worth having a conversation with people you speak with frequently to see if they are willing to download the app. Signal has end-to-end encryption without having to worry about RCS.

• To receive messages from people you don’t know, or for verifications, etc. I recommend Fossify Messages. It is an open-source, simple functional app that does not have ads, share your personal information with third-parties, or have AI features.

Signal: Open-source, end-to-end encrypted messaging app, however: it does not replace standard SMS messaging. If you are trying to send or receive a text, you will need a separate app as Signal only works if the other person has an account with Signal.

• Privacy: Proton and Mozilla both have deep-dives on Signal’s privacy and overall recommend it as a decent if not good option. Signal does run partly on AWS, which board member Meredith Whittaker discusses why here.

• Features: Chat (including emoji reactions, stickers, some formatted text), Voice & Video calls. You can screenshare when using their desktop version.

• What’s missing: Signal does not send SMS messages.

• Cost: Free

• Available On: Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Fossify Messages: Privacy-focused option that’s free without ads. Android Authority has a good overview of Fossify’s features from a product review perspective.

• Privacy: Fossify does not collect your data, beyond what is needed for the app to function (like your phone number), or share with third-parties like advertisers, making it more private.

• Features:

• Easily block contacts or unknown numbers, and can export/import blocked numbers for easy transfer/backup.

  • Back-up your messages for easy export/import
  • Customize lock-screen notifications for extra privacy
  • Message Search: easily search through your messages
  • Message scheduling
  • Dark theme option
  • Lightweight & fast app
  • Does not require an account to use
  • Can use offline

• Cost: Free with no ads

• Available On: Android, F-Droid, GitHub

Other SMS & MMS Messaging App Alternatives

Textra SMS: Decent option, but the app comes with ads which means more of your data will be shared with Textra SMS and third-party advertisers.

• Privacy: Textra SMS may collect the following information for advertising purposes: Android Advertising ID, Browser, IP address, Phone model, Language, Mobile Carrier, Screen Resolution, Phone Orientation, WiFi or Mobile Connection and Android version (User Agent).

Chomp SMS: A more customizable version of Textra SMS.

• Privacy: Chomp SMS may collect the following information for advertising purposes: Android Advertising ID, Browser, IP address, Phone model, Language, Mobile Carrier, Screen Resolution, Phone Orientation, WiFi or Mobile Connection and Android version (User Agent).

ZenSMS: If you want to avoid spam texts, or need an organized messaging app for your small business ZenSMS might work for you.

Pulse SMS: Another ad-supported option with limited privacy.

Questionable for Privacy Reasons

Handcent Next SMS: Reading through their privacy policy it looks like Handcent collects way more data than the other ad-supported apps.

• Privacy: Handcent may collect your phone number, IP address, device ID, location, SMS/MMS messages, contacts, audio and files, photos, videos or other information necessary to provide the app services. SMS messages do not support encryption, but their “Private Box” feature encrypts messages within it.

Mood Messenger: Their holding company, Appvestor ApS, has a weird Caller SDK product that shows ads when you send or receive calls, and I’m not sure if that’s integrated into Mood Messenger.

Do Not Recommend

Simple SMS Messenger: Simple Mobile Tools, including Simple SMS Messenger, was sold to Israeli app publisher ZipoApps in 2023. I would recommend Fossify SMS as they’re trying to revive the original legacy of Simple Mobile Tools before it was sold.

QKSMS: It’s an open-source SMS messenger, but it looks like it has not been updated since 2021. I would recommend Fossify SMS if you’re looking for something similarly open-sourced.

WhatsApp: Owned by Meta, who also owns Facebook & Instagram. I don’t think it’s necessary to give Zuckerberg more of your data. If you’re looking for social media alternatives to Facebook & Instagram, check out my article.

Telegram: Do not recommend for multiple reasons, see more information here.