Samsung Messages app could get satellite texting feature

Samsung might have switched to Google Messages as the default messaging app on Galaxy devices, but it doesn't appear to be giving up on its in-house Samsung Messages app. The company seems to be developing satellite-based emergency texting feature for Samsung Messages.

A Reddit user has discovered multiple code strings related to satellite-based emergency texting in the latest version (16.1.02.2) of the Samsung Messages app. Two strings reveal that the South Korean firm is working on ‘Satellite Mode' which only supports SMS. It is specifically mentioned that RCS messaging is unavailable in this mode and multimedia files like pictures and videos can't be attached to messages sent via satellites.

Since the active development of Samsung Messages is still happening, it doesn't seem like Samsung has any plans to completely drop the app in favor of Google Messages. The South Korean firm's in-house messaging app arguably has a better design (in terms of user experience) and more features than Google Messages.

Samsung brought back RCS support to Samsung Messages after briefly removing it two years ago. Since then, it appears to be working on more features for the app, including the following:

While Samsung hasn't yet brought satellite connectivity for emergency calling and messaging like Apple did, it is likely that it will bring those features to flagship Galaxy phones in the future.

With Apple's adoption of RCS Universal Profile for iPhones, Samsung might not need to depend on Google for RCS development. It is possible that Samsung will keep developing Samsung Messages and even make it the default messaging app for Galaxy phones and tablets.