Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR
- A new app called Messages by OzarksMade promises to recreate the Samsung Messages experience after Samsung discontinued its native messaging app in the US.
- The app clones the look, feel, and even the app icon of Samsung Messages while offering support for SMS, MMS, and even RCS.
- Interestingly, RCS support is offered through a “Companion Mode” that uses Google Messages in the background.
Samsung officially disconnected Samsung Messages in the United States earlier this month. Much to their disappointment, long-time Galaxy users had to switch to Google Messages and get familiar with a new interface after years of using Samsung Messages. Now, a new app called Messages by OzarksMade attempts to recreate the Samsung Messages experience almost completely.
The biggest draw of the app is familiarity. Screenshots shared by the developer, OzarksMade MessagesThey look remarkably similar to Samsung Messages, right down to the interface, layout, and even the app icon, which is clearly also inspired by Samsung Messages. The developers say the app is designed for One UI and Galaxy users who miss the Samsung messaging experience and don’t want to switch to the different Google Messages layout.
According to the developer, the app supports SMS, MMS, group messaging, scheduled messages, local backups, and even RCS. However, there is one major problem: RCS works through a “Companion Mode” that uses Google Messages in the background, since third-party developers do not have direct access to Google’s RCS infrastructure. There is also a separate mode for SMS and MMS if you don’t need RCS.
We haven’t had a chance to test the app ourselves, so we can’t verify how well it works or if it lives up to its promise of being a Samsung Message Substitute. As with any new app that handles your text messages, it’s worth being careful before making it your default messaging app. You should also remember that this is not an official Samsung product, despite how much it looks like one.
That resemblance could also become a problem. The app intentionally mimics the design of Samsung Messages, and while we’re not sure if it crosses any legal lines, Samsung could challenge it if it believes its branding, interface, or other intellectual property has been copied too much.
However, for users who miss Samsung Messages, that’s also what makes this app interesting. Whether it will hold up long term is another question entirely.
The app is currently open for beta registrations through the Google Play Store. The developer’s website notes that once it officially launches, it will cost $0.99.
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