Even with the many third-party messaging apps, texting remains the most common way of sending messages. Nearly everyone who uses an Android device uses Google Messages since it is the default messaging app for many Android devices.
However, the case is quite different for Samsung users. Samsung has made the Samsung Messages app the default messaging app for their smartphones.
Hence, Samsung smartphone users most likely use the Samsung Messages instead of the Google Messages. With that said, you are probably interested in knowing how both apps compare, so here are our Samsung Messages vs Google Message comparison.
What Is Samsung Messaging App?
Samsung Messages is a messaging tool preinstalled by default on all Samsung devices. This app provides Samsung users with a comfortable way to send and receive messages safely.
What Is Google Messaging App?
Google Messages, also known as “Messages,” is a free, all-in-one messaging app for Android smartphones. It is an app designed by Google to provide features that include texting, chatting, and sending group texts.
In addition to that, the app also allows you to send pictures, share videos, send audio messages, and many more.
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages – Key Feature Differences
We will analyze the differences between the two apps in a series of sections:
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages: Interface
There’s a search bar at the top of the Google Messages’ welcome screen with a three-dot button on its right side. Tapping on this three-dot button will open the overflow menu.
Below the search bar, there are tags that sort messages into different categories, including Personal, Transactions, OTPs, and Offers.
With Samsung Messages, you get a different welcome screen. Unlike Google Messages, whose list of messages starts from the top, the Samsung Messages’ list of messages begins mid-way through the display.
The top half of the display displays the number of unread messages in the inbox.
Another difference is that Samsung Messages features a search icon, unlike Google Messages’ search bar. Tapping on this search icon will open up a separate page for search results.
Like it is on Google Messages, there’s a three-dot button beside the Samsung Messages’ search icon that opens the overflow menu. Also, both apps have a button at the bottom of their display for composing new messages.
Lastly, both apps offer a dark theme. However, you won’t be able to use dark mode on the Samsung Messages if your phone doesn’t offer a dark mode feature.
On the other hand, Google Messages comes with the dark theme option regardless of the device.
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages: Messaging
Google Messages and Samsung Messages have a similar process of starting a new conversation. Both apps show you your contacts list to make it easy to select a recipient for your message.
Once you enter the recipient’s details, you will be taken to the screen where you can compose the message.
The main difference between both apps in this aspect is the messaging features they offer differ. For instance, you can send GIFs on Google Messages, but you can’t on Samsung Messages.
You can take notes on the Samsung Messages app, but you can’t do that on Google Messages.
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages: Web messaging compatibility
You can sync your Google Message with your PC. Like Whatsapp, it allows you to send and receive messages on your PC after pairing it with your smartphone through the web.
You will need to scan your Google Message’s bar code from your smartphone to your PC.
On the other hand, Samsung Messages does not offer a built-in web messaging service. Nonetheless, you can use Samsung SideSync to send messages from your PC.
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages: Number verification
It is easier to verify your phone number on Samsung Messages than on the Google Messages app.
Samsung Messages vs Google Messages: Battery consumption
Google Messages drains the battery more than Samsung Messages does.
Based on many users’ reports, there is a very high battery usage percentage in Google Messages. Its battery percentage use is around 40% vs. a much lower rate of about 2-3% that the Samsung Messages consume.
Is Google Messages Better Than Samsung Messages?
Choosing between the two apps will come down to personal preference at the end of the day. However, based on our comparative analysis of the two apps, Google Messages is better.
Google Messages offers an easier interface and an overall better user experience. Besides, Samsung’s decision to make Google Messages their default messaging app is a testament to how good the Google Messages app is.
What Is the Difference Between Messages and Messages Plus?
The Messages Plus app is a feature-rich packed version of the Messages app. Rather than being a typical chat app like the Messages app, Messages Plus offers several extra features that make messaging more fun.
How to Like A Text Message on Samsung
It is very simple to like a text message on your Samsung. Just follow this procedure.
- STEP 1: Long press on the message you want to like or react to
- STEP 2: A bubble will pop up, presenting you with different reaction options. Choose how you want to react – like love, laughter, or anger
How To Change Background, Bubble Color, And Customize Samsung Messaging App
How to change the background color of the Samsung Messaging app
- STEP 1: Open the Samsung Messaging app
- STEP 2: Click on the three-dot on the upper right corner of your screen
- STEP 3: Tap on “Settings”
- STEP 4: Navigate to “Background and themes” and tap on it
- STEP 5: Click on “Background” and set the color to your preference
How to change the bubble color on the Samsung Messaging app
- STEP 1: Open the Samsung Messaging app
- STEP 2: Click on the three-dot in the upper right corner
- STEP 3: Tap on “Settings”
- STEP 4: Navigate to “Background and themes” and tap on it
- STEP 5: Click on “Themes” and set the color based on your preference
How to customize the Samsung Messaging app
To customize your Samsung Messaging app, go to your settings and navigate to the category associated with whatever you want to customize.
For instance, navigate to the “Background color and themes” section to customize your background color and themes. Clicking on this section will provide you with options to customize bubble style color, background color, font, etc.
If you want to customize your text message settings, go to your settings’ “Messaging” section.
Verizon Message+ Vs Samsung Messages – Key Differences
The Verizon Message+ is an app that syncs your messages across all devices, including your phone, tablet, and computer. It is the default messaging app for Verizon phones.
Meanwhile, Samsung Messages is the primary application for sending and receiving messages on all official Samsung devices.
Both apps have varying features.
Verizon Message+:
- It works on all Android phones that run Android 8.0 or above
- The Message+ lets you sync all of your messages from an Android phone, tablet, or PC
- It allows you to customize your chat and other app features
- The Message+ app offers an eGift Cards feature
- It supports location tracking services and driving mode
- The Message+ also supports WiFi
Samsung Messages:
- It offers a simple and easy to use user interface
- The apps’ features come preinstalled
- You can protect your messages or block messages
- It supports dual sim
- The Samsung Messages also supports WiFi
Samsung Messages Chat Settings Not Working? – Working Fixes
If your Samsung Messages’ chat settings are not working, you can try fixing it by doing this:
- STEP 1: Open the Samsung Messages app
- STEP 2: Tap on the three dots at the top right corner of your screen
- STEP 3: Go to Settings
- STEP 4: Navigate to Chat Settings
- STEP 5: Tap on “Rich Communication Settings” and turn it ON
- STEP 6: Then select “Default Messaging Type“
- STEP 7: Choose “Automatic“
There is another thing you could do if your “Chat settings” are no longer accessible.
Go to “Settings” and select “About Messages“. Next, check if there are any available updates from there. If there are, install the updates.
If those two fixes don’t work out, try downloading Google Messages and making it your default messaging app.
This is because Samsung is replacing Samsung Messages with Google Messages. As a result, your Samsung phone may require you to start using Google Messages instead of the Samsung Messages app.
Switching From Samsung Messages To Google Messages – A Checklist
If you are ready to switch to Google Messages on your Samsung phone, all you need to do is install the app and make it your default app. After that, you will automatically get all your text messages in the Google Messages app.
Follow these steps to switch from Samsung Messages to Google Messages.
- STEP 1: Download on your Samsung phone
- STEP 2: Open the app after installing it.
- STEP 3: You get a message prompt asking if you want to make it your default app. Tap “Yes”
If the Google Messages app doesn’t give you the option to make it your default messaging app, you can do it yourself. Follow this procedure to change the default SMS app on your Samsung phone to Google Messages.
- STEP 1: Open “Settings” on your Samsung phone
- STEP 2: Go to “Apps“
- STEP 3: Under “Apps“, tap on the three-dot icon at the top right corner
- STEP 4: Select “Default apps” from the menu
- STEP 5: Tap on the SMS app option and choose Google Messages to make it the default app
Best Messaging App for Galaxy S8
Google Messages is the best default messaging app for the Samsung S8. Still, there are lots of third-party messaging apps that also work well. Aside from the Google Messages app, you can consider using any of these apps for messaging on your Galaxy S8.
How to Get The Messaging App On A Galaxy Watch
The Messaging app is preinstalled on your Galaxy Watch. However, before you can receive text messages on your Samsung Galaxy Watch, you need to enable the feature.
Follow this procedure to do that:
- STEP 1: Open the Galaxy Watch app on your phone
- STEP 2: Tap on “Watch Settings“
- STEP 3: Tap on “Notifications“
- STEP 4: Scroll to where you have “Messages” and tap on the toggle switch beside it to turn it on
How to Schedule A Message On Samsung
As described by Samsung, you can follow the steps below if you want to schedule a message on your Samsung phone:
- STEP 1: Open the Samsung Messages app
- STEP 2: Tap on the “+” icon
- STEP 3: Tap on the Menu icon that’s on the right middle section of your screen
- STEP 4: Tap on “Schedule message“
- STEP 5: Select the date and time you want to schedule the message for
- STEP 6: Create your message
- STEP 7: Tap the send button. The app will send your message at the time you scheduled
Read also: Messenger Not Sending Messages? Best Fixes
Difference Between Chat Message and Text Message on Samsung
The difference between Samsung chat messages and text messages is mainly the user features. Chat message allows you to send and receive messages through WiFi or data.
It also lets you know when someone is typing a message to you and when the recipient of your message has read your sent messages. In addition, the chat message lets you send high-quality pictures and videos.
Overall, it works like Whatsapp chat.
On the other hand, text message works like your regular messaging apps; instead of sending your messages through WiFi or data, it uses your cellular network.
Difference Between Samsung Messages and Message+
Message+ is a luxurious messaging application that offers numerous features. Essentially, it is just a regular messaging application like the Samsung Messages, with the difference being that it offers a truckload of extra features.
The Samsung Messages also offers many features, but they aren’t as many as those the Message+ app offers.
In addition, unlike Samsung Messages, which works only on Samsung phones, the Message+ app works on different smartphone brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
This extensive comparison of Samsung Messages vs Google Messages has covered everything you need to know about the topic. Hopefully, it has helped you figure out some things you didn’t know.
- What Is Message+ On Android?
- Receiving My Own Text Messages on Android and iPhone – Causes and Fixes
- Message+ Keeps Stopping – The Solution
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