(Credit: Sharaf Maksumov/Shutterstock.com)
UPDATE 12/9: Verizon has now deleted an FAQ about its discontinued Message+ and Verizon Messages apps. Verizon has said the apps would be fully shut down by today, though a quick search shows the Message+ app is still listed on Apple's App Store. We reached out to Verizon for comment.
If you're looking for a new messaging app besides Apple or Google Messages, we recommend checking out Signal, WhatsApp, Session, or one of the other encrypted messaging apps on our list. Signal has a simple user interface, end-to-end encryption, group chats, and video calls, and is run by a nonprofit organization, while WhatsApp has a massive user base for encrypted and free international communication, plus some of Meta's AI features.
If you're on Android, there are other video chat apps to check out, too.
Original Story 12/6:
Verizon is ditching its Message apps for iOS and Android and will shut both down on Monday, according to posts on the company's website.
Verizon began sunsetting the apps, known as Message+ or Verizon Messages, in October. The telecoms firm says you won't be able to send or receive messages on the apps after Dec. 9. Your email alias for Message+ won't work anymore come Monday, either.
Verizon is recommending Android users switch to Google Messages, which became the Android default in 2022, while iPhone and iPad users are encouraged to use Apple's Messages app. But there are other options out there, too, should you be looking for an alternative messaging app to use in addition to these defaults.
Google Messages can sync your data from Verizon's app so that your texts and media transfer over, meaning you don't have to lose your chat histories with family and friends. But it's a good idea to make sure the messages transferred over before deleting the Verizon Messages app. You'll still be able to view your old Verizon Messages iOS or Android content after the shutdown, though, as long as you don't delete the app. Once deleted, you won't be able to download Message+ again because it's disappearing from the app stores. As of Friday morning, it already appears to have been pulled from Google Play, but remains available on Apple's App Store.
Verizon's Message+ let users send MMS and SMS messages, as well as group texts. Verizon warns that some group texts may show messages from a 588 area code number until the shutdown, but this just means one of a group chat's participants has left the chat. "This doesn't need any action on your part. You can delete or ignore these network notification texts," Verizon says.
While Apple's Messages app is end-to-end encrypted, there are other E2E encrypted messaging apps you can use. For texting and calling friends outside of the US for free, WhatsApp is a good option. And for more anonymous messaging, there's Signal.
Verizon isn't the only firm that's ditched its messaging app this year. In July, Samsung stopped adding its messaging app to new Android devices, swapping over to Google Messages instead for US users. Google has continued to update its messaging app, and added enhanced scam detection and content warnings in October.