Verizon sunsets Message+ in favor of Google Messages, but some users don't like it

Update 10/12/24: A few days ago, Google published a detailed guide to help Verizon users replicate some of the popular features from Message+ within the Google Messages app:

1. Customization features

• Background and bubble colors: Google Messages users can personalize their chats by selecting new background and bubble colors from the conversation settings.
• Notification sounds: In Google Messages, it’s possible to assign unique sounds to conversations for easy identification or set notifications to silent for busy chats.
• Dark mode: You can toggle between light, dark, or system default themes via the app’s profile settings.

2. Practical tools

• Pin conversations: You can keep important threads at the top of the inbox by pinning them.
• Message scheduling: Google Messages let you plan messages to be sent at a future date or time by long-pressing the send button.
• Message forwarding: Forward texts quickly by long-pressing a message and selecting the forward action.

3. Additional features

• Text Size Adjustment: Adjust font size easily with a pinch-to-zoom gesture.
• Profile updates: (Rolling out gradually) Users will soon be able to edit their name and profile picture within the app.

Notably, Google Messages supports Rich Communication Services (RCS) over both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Also, unlike Message+, media isn’t automatically saved to the gallery. Instead, users can manually download photos and videos.

For a complete guide and additional tips, refer to Google’s official support page.

Update 9/12/24: After postponing the initial date from November 7, Verizon Message Plus shuts down today, December 9.

Original article follows:

Big changes are coming for Verizon users as the Message+ app is set to be permanently shut down in November 2024. Verizon has officially announced that users should begin migrating to Google Messages, signaling the end of an era for the carrier’s messaging service. While the news isn’t entirely unexpected, it’s definitely stirring up reactions from longtime Message+ users who have grown attached to its unique features.

Launched in 2011, Verizon’s Message+ app offered a suite of handy tools, including group chats with up to 250 people, location sharing, HD voice calling, and even the ability to send eGift cards via text. It allowed users to sync their conversations across smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it an all-in-one messaging solution. However, times are changing, and Google’s Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol, which promises a more modern, feature-rich messaging experience, has become the standard. Verizon users are now being encouraged to switch to Google Messages for all their texting needs.

Come November 7, 2024, the Message+ app will be officially retired, and users will no longer be able to send or receive messages via the platform. Verizon is urging users to make the switch early to avoid disruptions, as even scheduled messages set to send after this date will not be delivered. Features like the email alias functionality tied to Message+ will also stop working.

• Verizon will start to shut down the Message+ app on 10/2/24. The app will be fully discontinued on 11/7/24.

When the Message+ app is shut down:

• You won’t be able to use the Message+ app to send and receive messages.
• Any Message+ messages you previously scheduled to be sent on or after 11/7/24 will not be sent.
• You won’t be able to view the Message+ app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• For Android devices, Verizon recommends switching to Google Messages as the replacement app for messaging.
• Apple Messages is recommended for iPhone and iPad devices.

For some users, the move feels like a major downgrade. After years of customizing chat backgrounds, changing bubble colors, and personalizing their messaging experience, the switch to Google Messages might feel like trading a vibrant toolset for something far more basic. While Google Messages has its own advantages, some Verizon Message+ users are disappointed by its lack of deep customization options. For instance, Google Messages doesn’t offer the same level of control over fonts, avatars, or chat aesthetics unless both parties are using the app.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The migration to Google Messages isn’t as bumpy as some might fear. Several users have reported that their existing conversations, including cherished chats with loved ones, seamlessly transferred over. Group chats remain intact, and users are able to continue messaging without skipping a beat. However, if you’ve been using Message+’s enhanced text threads (which allow for high-res photo sharing), don’t expect those to carry over as easily. Basic texts and group conversations should make the jump just fine, but those enhanced threads may require a bit more manual effort to back up or migrate.

For users who’ve never ventured beyond Message+, Google Messages might take some getting used to. It’s already preloaded on all Verizon Android devices, so making the switch is straightforward. The app’s integration with Google’s RCS technology means you’ll get an upgraded messaging experience with support for read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-quality media sharing, provided the person you’re texting is also using Google Messages. In this way, Google Messages helps bridge the gap between Android and iOS, making interoperability between platforms smoother. This standardization is long overdue in the Android ecosystem, where multiple messaging apps have created a fragmented experience. Google’s push for one universal messaging app aims to simplify things for both developers and users.

While some users may miss Message+’s quirks and features, others have already embraced the switch. The convenience of having one app handle all messaging services, especially one that’s deeply integrated into the Android platform, can be a game changer. With RCS at the heart of Google Messages, Verizon users will now enjoy a more interactive and modern experience — just maybe without all the flashy customizations they’ve grown used to.

Ultimately, this shift was bound to happen. With the rapid rise of RCS and Google’s efforts to standardize messaging across Android, having multiple apps like Message+ was only causing fragmentation. Now, with Google handling it all, the user experience becomes more cohesive, and innovations like interoperability with iOS and perhaps even third-party apps like WhatsApp and Messenger will only get better. For now, Verizon users should take some time to familiarize themselves with Google Messages, ensure their conversations migrate smoothly, and embrace the new era of messaging.