Message+ Discontinuation

So with this app being discontinued in June are you, Verizon, going to be enabling the native Android Call & text on other devices that was needlessly locked to pave the way for Message+? Or are we just no longer going to be able to call and text on our tablets once that time comes?

Accepted answers

Dan_VZ

These changes are coming to Verizon Messages (Message+):

Message+ app Shutdown - On or about June 2024, Verizon will start to shut down the Verizon Message+ app. Once the Message+ app is shut down, you won’t be able to use the Message+ app to send and receive messages. Message+ will be fully sunset on December 9, 2024.
Messaging Web Client Access - The ability to send and receive text messages on Verizon’s website is discontinued as of 12/11/23. Your message history will remain. You can continue to use the Android™ and iOS versions on mobile devices or the Mac® desktop version. We recommend using Google Messages to continue to send and receive text messages in a web browser.
- Get instructions on how to use Google Messages on your laptop and eligible mobile device at Check your messages on your computer or Android tablet.
- For iOS mobile devices, you can send and receive messages only through the Message+ mobile app.
eGift cards will no longer be available to buy through Message+ after April 2024. You can redeem previously purchased eGift cards after this date.

Android users: We recommend switching from Message+ to Google Messages on your Android devices before June 2024. Download Google Messages directly from the Google Play Store if it's not already on your Android device.

Note: While we do system maintenance before the shutdown of Message+, other participants in your group texts may see messages with a 588 area code stating that your number has “left the group”.

This doesn’t require any action on your part. You can delete or ignore these network notification texts.

Please visit our Announcement page to learn more about the Message + app shutting down.

All comments

SynthpopAddict

I don't own a tablet, but if you uninstall Messages+, shouldn't it allow the native Android apps to work again if they had been disabled by Messages+?

vzw_customer_support

Hello, being on top of your service is crucial, especially if you are managing your Verizon Message+ service. We want to clear things up.

- The ability to send and receive text messages on Verizon’s website is discontinued.
- On or about June 2024, Verizon will start to shutdown the Verizon Message+ app.
- We recommend using Google Messages to continue to send and receive text messages in a web browser.

For more details, check out our FAQs: https://www.verizon.com/support/verizon-messages-faqs/.

~Gilbert

MeisterBrew

What about Phone Calls - making/receiving calls on a tablet that was previously synched with my Verizon Cellphone? Google Messages works for texting, but I can't make or receive phone calls on my tablet like I could with Verizon+

vzw_customer_support

That's a great question, MeisterBrew. At this time, we do not have a replacement for Message+ to sync calls/messages to your tablet. If you have an iPad, you can use FaceTime to place calls on your tablet. Otherwise, a third party app can be used for calls.

-Lauren

NikkiRoxi

What 3rd party app? This app synced with my cellphone. What other app has the ability to synch with my phone? Keep in mind many people do not have iphones so FaceTime is not always an option.

NikkiRoxi

Do you have a specific date as to when the message app will stop working?

williaml99

Phone calls on other device

I got rid of my unlocked phone and got (verizon zfold 5, verizon galaxy tab s8 +) to make it work and it has worked fine. Calls very important feature to me. 25 year Verizon customer. Ok, not too bright. On hold to support for second time today. Think I know how this ends. I can tell you that I got Samsung call & text on other devices to work over WI-FI but not over LTE or 5G. I did install APK of Samsung call & text on other devices on the phone. I am not sure that was entirely necessary.

vzw_customer_support

The following link will provide you with all available information. https://www.verizon.com/support/verizon-messages-faqs/

~Geo

williaml99

Thank you for the link. That does not address or concerns and that should be obvious. I told Verizon i wanted my phone calls to be on my Tablet as well. Verizon said they could fix me up.

1. Purchased two expensive devices Samsung that had that feature built in.

2. Verizon blocked that feature and made us use Messages plus instead.

3. Verizon dumped Messages plus and left us hanging.

4. Verizon is still blocking Samsung (call & text on other device) feature.

5. They need to step up and un-block the feature or provide a new one.

6. not the right way to treat us.

SynthpopAddict

I'd suggest uninstalling Messages+ and see if that brings back any native device features which were previously disabled. Also found this elsewhere on how to call on a tablet:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/tablet-calling

Dan_VZ

These changes are coming to Verizon Messages (Message+):

Message+ app Shutdown - On or about June 2024, Verizon will start to shut down the Verizon Message+ app. Once the Message+ app is shut down, you won’t be able to use the Message+ app to send and receive messages. Message+ will be fully sunset on December 9, 2024.
Messaging Web Client Access - The ability to send and receive text messages on Verizon’s website is discontinued as of 12/11/23. Your message history will remain. You can continue to use the Android™ and iOS versions on mobile devices or the Mac® desktop version. We recommend using Google Messages to continue to send and receive text messages in a web browser.
- Get instructions on how to use Google Messages on your laptop and eligible mobile device at Check your messages on your computer or Android tablet.
- For iOS mobile devices, you can send and receive messages only through the Message+ mobile app.
eGift cards will no longer be available to buy through Message+ after April 2024. You can redeem previously purchased eGift cards after this date.

Note: While we do system maintenance before the shutdown of Message+, other participants in your group texts may see messages with a 588 area code stating that your number has “left the group”.

This doesn’t require any action on your part. You can delete or ignore these network notification texts.

Please visit our Announcement page to learn more about the Message + app shutting down.

jorob

Today (10/2/2024) is the first time I received a notification from Verizon that Message+ will no longer be and they recommended Google Messages. So, I downloaded Google Messages and when going to open it, I receive a pop-up window asking me to "set default SMS app". I did that and sooner than immediately, I get another pop-up window that says, "Messages keeps stopping" and the option to close app. Anyone else having this issue with Google Messages being default? Thank you!

Type3particle

Im not switching to Google, but everything text i have is on the App since i run a Flip Phone. Everything listed here shows how to back up texts from Smartphones, but how do you back up information directly from the app itself? Its currently all on a very old TabE that is no longer compatible with the app store.

jav6

@jorob
wrote:
Today (10/2/2024) is the first time I received a notification from Verizon that Message+ will no longer be and they recommended Google Messages. So, I downloaded Google Messages and when going to open it, I receive a pop-up window asking me to "set default SMS app". I did that and sooner than immediately, I get another pop-up window that says, "Messages keeps stopping" and the option to close app. Anyone else having this issue with Google Messages being default? Thank you!

What make/model device are you having the issue with?

Bruce54

When Message+ is discontinued, will I still be able to open the app to view my text history even though I can't send and receive messages anymore?

goodsizer

Bad decision by Verizon, google messages is no where near message+.

Are we going back in time? Weak.

Ann154

@goodsizer
wrote:
Bad decision by Verizon, google messages is no where near message+.

Are we going back in time? Weak.

Google Messages supports RCS chat. I don't think Messages+ ever did.

Ann154

Message+ deleted messages after 90 days, so I doubt it. You can use a SMS Backup applications available in the Play Store to save the messages.

TeresaAnn616

I'm not sure why verizon is deciding to discontinue message+. It's like apple getting rid of i-message?!?! Come on verizon!?!?!?

Since I read the news, I changed over to Google messages. It is absolutely horrible!!! I don't understand why verizon states message+ isn't up to speed with messaging technology, because let me tell you, I am a Google supporter, but their messaging is absolutely awful. I am 3 days in with it, and I am absolutely disgusted.

Please, Please, Please.... Verizon, DO NOT get rid of this app. You are going to have alot of unhappy customers. If anyone else supports this post, please write a comment, like this discussion or post on the verizon community to keep message+ going.

Sincerely,

A concerned message+ user

Amhaas65

Yes, Verizon is downgrading their service to Google. Google is already a monopoly, and they also have horrendous service so - too bad - Verizon customers have no choice.

My question is... why weren't there OTHER alternatives suggested?

The new default for EVERYTHING, it seems is the Hive-mind Google.
Verizon is t turning into AT&T - they just don't care about customer opinion anymore.

MARATHON8

I had the same problem. I found a workaround this. I went into my phone settings, selected permissions and clicked for all apps to show. Then I clicked on Google messages in that list and selected to allow the various permissions that showed up. After doing that, I was able to select to make Google messages my default app.

vzw_customer_support

Hey there, Type3particle, we want to help answer your questions in reference to messages! You mentioned you are looking to back up messages on a Galaxy Tab E. Are your text messages currently stored in Messages+ on this device? What app are you looking to download from the Play Store?

-Lauren

humphress

Message+ has never itself deleted a message in all the years (decades?) I have used it. Did you turn on a setting to have it automatically delete after 90 days?

Amhaas65

WHY is Verizon FORCING this change ion its Customers without giving us another choice?

No other option than Google Message? WHY ?