That said, Apple users and more recent customers shouldn’t be affected. Since 2022, Verizon has preloaded Google Messages onto Android devices in lieu of its in-house app. iPhones, additionally, have never come with Verizon Messages pre-installed.

Verizon shutting down its messaging app in favor of Google Messages will help improve everyone's texting experience. Since 2022, Google Messages has been pre-installed on all Verizon phones. Other major US carriers and device manufacturers have also adopted Google Messages as the default texting app on their devices.

Verizon will fully discontinue its Message Plus app today. The carrier recommends that Android users should move to Google Messages.

Message+ was for a long time the default messaging app for Verizon customers. However, to support a more open messaging service, Verizon is urging users to move to Google Messages

The day has arrived, as Verizon has officially shut down its Message+ app on Android in favor of Google Messages, but users aren’t happy about the change, especially as the old app has blocked access to messages entirely.

Ahead of Verizon Message shutdown, Google has released a guide for former Verizon Message Plus users to make it easier to transition.