Accessing Old Messages after Message+ Discontinuation on Your Device

Accessing Old Messages After Message+ Discontinuation on Your Device

Verizon's decision to discontinue its Message+ app, effective around June 2024, has left many users wondering how they will access their old messages and continue their messaging services. Here are the key details and steps to help you navigate this transition.

Discontinuation of Message+ App

Verizon has announced that it will start shutting down the Message+ app in June 2024. Once the app is fully shut down, users will no longer be able to use it to send and receive messages.

Impact on Messaging Services

• Web Client Access: The ability to send and receive text messages on Verizon’s website was discontinued as of December 11, 2023. Although this feature is no longer available, your message history will remain accessible.
• Mobile and Desktop Apps: Users can continue to use the Android and iOS versions of Message+ on mobile devices and the Mac desktop version until the full shutdown. However, these apps will eventually cease to function for sending and receiving messages.

Transition to Google Messages

Verizon recommends switching to Google Messages, especially for Android users, before the Message+ app is fully shut down. Here’s how you can make the transition:

• Downloading Google Messages: Android users can download Google Messages directly from the Google Play Store if it is not already installed on their device.
• Setting Up Google Messages: When you open Google Messages, it will prompt you to set it as the default SMS app. By doing so, your existing message history should import automatically into the new app.

Accessing Old Messages

• Automatic Import: When you set Google Messages as your default SMS app, your message history from Message+ should transfer over automatically. However, some users have reported issues with the organization of their message history, with conversations becoming jumbled or mixed up.
• Retaining Message History: Despite the shutdown, your message history will remain accessible through the new app. If you encounter any issues with the import process, you may need to manually organize your conversations.

Additional Features and Considerations

• Auto-Reply and Group Messaging: Some users have highlighted specific features of Message+, such as the auto-reply function and enhanced group messaging capabilities, which may not be fully replicated in Google Messages. Users will need to adjust to the new app's features and limitations.
• WiFi Messaging: Message+ allowed users to send messages over WiFi, even in airplane mode. While Google Messages also supports WiFi messaging, users need to ensure they have WiFi calling enabled to maintain this functionality.

Notifications and Group Texts

During the transition period, users may receive notifications indicating that their number has “left the group” with a 588 area code. These notifications are part of the system maintenance and do not require any action from the user.

By following these steps and recommendations, users can ensure a relatively smooth transition from Verizon's Message+ to Google Messages, preserving their message history and continuing their messaging services without significant disruption.