Here's what it means for Android users

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Looks like it’s the end of the road for the Verizon-developed text messaging app – Verizon Messages. The app, which has been around since 2011, may not have made the list of most popular messaging tools, but over its 13 years of existence, it has managed to amass a small but dedicated user base . The app, also known as Verizon Message+, will be shut down completely by November 7, 2024, the company confirmed on the official Verizon Messages FAQ page. Even before the shutdown day, several features of the app will stop working as Verizon has confirmed that it has already started the process of shutting down the app from October 2, 2024.

Once Verizon shuts down the Message+ app, users will no longer be able to use it to send and receive text messages. The app, which had a message scheduling feature, will not be able to send scheduled text messages after November 7. Shutting down the app also means it will be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Signing up for Verizon Message+ also gave users access to an email address ending in @vmtext.com. These email addresses are also part of the shutdown process and will also stop working once Message+ is shut down.

It is relevant to note that Verizon Messages was not limited to just Verizon customers: anyone with a US mobile number and a compatible smartphone (iOS and Android) could use the app. While the vast majority of iPhone users are addicted to iMessage, for the handful of Android users who use it as their primary texting app, the closure of Verizon Message+ means a move to an entirely new messaging app text.

Verizon recommends Android users switch to Google Messages

Verizon Messages app on the Google Play Store

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The decision to shut down Verizon Message+ couldn’t have come at a better time for Google, which has for some time now been promoting its own messaging app, Google Messages, as the text messaging tool of choice for users of Android. In fact, Verizon also recommended Google Messages as the app of choice as a viable alternative to Verizon Message+ for Android smartphones. As part of this change, all Verizon-branded Android smartphones will now come preloaded with Google Messages.

While the move will undoubtedly help Google Messages gain a small number of users from Verizon, there’s no denying that Google Messages’ biggest win came after Apple earlier this year agreed to switch to Rich Communications Services (RCS). This was a long-requested move that would allow iMessage users to text seamlessly with Android smartphone users without losing useful features like read receipts, typing notifications, and texting. sharing multimedia content.

The RCS text messaging feature was rolled out to iOS users as part of the iOS 18 update, which coincided with the launch of the iPhone 16 series in September 2024.

For existing Verizon Message+ users, switching to Google Messages is a simple process. All they have to do is go to the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages, then download and install the app. On the Google Messages settings screen, users will be prompted to select the app as their default SMS app. With Google Messaging supporting almost every feature that Message+ provides, getting used to the new app will only be a matter of time.