Verizon Message+ Shutting Down: What Users Need to Know and How to Switch

Update: Verizon has extended its deadline and is now giving users until December 9, 2024, to make the switch.

Verizon is shutting down its Verizon Messages (Message+) App, and users must switch to another app to continue sending and receiving messages.

Message+ (also referred to as Verizon Messages in Google Play) was created by Verizon to sync texts across multiple devices. It also had extra features like the ability to send a gift card or your location to a friend.

Verizon will fully discontinue the app on November 7, 2024, to make way for more modern messaging features like RCS.

To identify the app on your phone, look for the red logo below.

If you’re using this app for text messages, you should switch to another one. There are various options on Android, but Verizon recommends Google Messages.

Your messages should come over after the switch, but I recommend using an app like SMS Backup and Restore to save a copy of your texts before you make the switch.

On iPhone and iPad, you can use Apple’s built-in Messages app.

Samsung also recently ditched its proprietary messaging app in favor of Google Messages.

iOS 18 recently added support for RCS, which improves texting between iPhone and Android by allowing users to see typing indicators, read receipts, and exchange large, high-quality photos and videos.