Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Final month, Verizon introduced that it could be shutting down its Message Plus app on November 7.
- The app’s closure date has now been prolonged to December 9, 2024.
- Verizon is encouraging customers to modify to Google Messages.
Verizon has prolonged the lifespan of its Message Plus app, giving customers a one-month reprieve from the beforehand introduced November 7 shutdown. The brand new deadline for the service’s discontinuation is now December 9, 2024. (h/t: Droid Life)
This last-minute extension comes as a reduction to many Message Plus customers who have been caught off guard by the preliminary announcement final month. The texting app, which used to come back preloaded on Verizon units, permits customers to sync their texting conversations throughout a number of units and has been a well-liked selection for Verizon prospects.
Nonetheless, the writing is on the wall for Message Plus. The rise of Rich Communication Services (RCS) is altering the messaging panorama, and Verizon is eager on embracing this new customary. RCS gives a extra superior messaging expertise with options like high-resolution photograph sharing, learn receipts, and typing indicators, much like Apple’s iMessage.
Verizon’s choice to close down Message Plus is a part of a broader development within the business. Samsung has already deserted its personal messaging app in favor of Google Messages, and now Verizon is following swimsuit. Google Messages is rising as the popular messaging app for Android customers, particularly with the rollout of RCS help on iPhones with the iOS 18 replace.
The transfer in the direction of RCS and the consolidation of messaging apps is prone to profit shoppers in the long term. With higher interoperability between units and platforms, messaging will turn into extra seamless and feature-rich.
Verizon encourages its Message Plus customers to modify to Google Messages, which is now preloaded on all Verizon Android units. For iPhone customers, the Apple Messages app is the beneficial selection for sending RCS messages to Android customers.
Whereas the additional month supplies some respiratory room, Message Plus customers ought to take this chance emigrate their conversations and familiarize themselves with Google Messages.
