It's crucial to address your question about "how to keep Verizon Messages+" directly:
Verizon Messages+ is being discontinued.
As of late 2024 (specifically, fully sunset on December 9, 2024), Verizon is shutting down its Message+ app. This means you cannot "keep" Verizon Messages+ in the long term, as it will cease to function.
The good news is that there are excellent alternatives, and Verizon itself is recommending a seamless transition to Google Messages for Android users and Apple Messages for iOS users. The focus now is on migrating your messages and transitioning to a new primary messaging app.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to prepare for this transition, save your valuable message history, and get set up with a new messaging app.
The End of an Era: Understanding the Verizon Messages+ Shutdown
For years, Verizon Messages+ (also known simply as Message+) offered a unique set of features, including syncing messages across multiple devices (phones, tablets, computers), advanced group chat capabilities, scheduling messages, and even integrated eGift cards. It was a staple for many Verizon users who appreciated its cross-device functionality.
However, the messaging landscape has evolved significantly, with universal standards like RCS (Rich Communication Services) gaining traction. In response to this, and to streamline their services, Verizon has decided to discontinue Message+. This move aims to encourage users to adopt more widely compatible and feature-rich messaging platforms that leverage RCS.
What does this mean for you? It means that if you've been relying on Verizon Messages+, you need to take action to ensure you don't lose your message history and can continue to communicate seamlessly.
 |
| How To Keep Verizon Message+ |
Step 1: Don't Panic! Let's Secure Your Message History
The most immediate concern for many users is losing their precious conversations. Don't worry, there are ways to back up your messages! This is the most critical step to take before the app completely shuts down.
Sub-heading: Understanding Your Backup Options
There are generally two main ways to approach backing up your messages:
Verizon Cloud (Limited Scope for Messages+): While Verizon Cloud is a general backup service for Verizon customers, its ability to comprehensively back up Message+ specific features and messages for a transfer to other messaging apps is limited. It primarily backs up standard SMS/MMS messages.
Third-Party SMS Backup & Restore Apps (Recommended for Android): For Android users, dedicated third-party apps are often the most reliable way to create a transferable backup of your text messages. These apps typically export messages into a universal format (like XML) that can then be imported into other messaging applications.
Apple Messages (for iOS users): If you're an iPhone user, your messages are typically managed by Apple's iMessage/Messages app and are backed up via iCloud. Message+ on iOS primarily synced messages from your main Messages app, so your primary message history should already reside there.
Tip: Take mental snapshots of important details.
Sub-heading: Action Plan for Android Users (Highly Recommended!)
If you're an Android user, this is where you'll want to focus your efforts.
Install a Reliable SMS Backup App:
Go to the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Search for "SMS Backup & Restore." There are several options, but "SMS Backup & Restore" by SyncTech is a widely used and well-regarded choice.
Install the app.
Grant Necessary Permissions:
Open the newly installed SMS Backup & Restore app.
The app will request various permissions (e.g., access to your messages, storage). Grant these permissions for the app to function correctly.
Create a Backup:
Within the SMS Backup & Restore app, look for an option like "Backup" or "Set up a Backup."
You'll likely be given options on what to back up (SMS messages, call logs). Ensure SMS Messages are selected.
Choose a backup location. This is critical. You can choose to save it to:
Google Drive (Recommended): This keeps your backup safe in the cloud, accessible from any device.
Dropbox or another cloud storage service.
Local storage: If you choose this, make sure you know where the file is saved (e.g., in a folder named "SMSBackupRestore") and consider transferring it to a computer or cloud service for safekeeping.
Initiate the backup process. This may take some time depending on the number of messages you have. Do not interrupt this process.
Sub-heading: Action Plan for iOS Users
For iPhone users, the situation is generally simpler as Message+ primarily acted as a syncing client for your native Apple Messages.
Verify iCloud Backup for Messages:
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Ensure that "Messages" is toggled ON under "Apps using iCloud."
This ensures your iMessages and SMS/MMS messages are backed up to iCloud.
Consider a Full iTunes/Finder Backup (Optional but thorough):
Connect your iPhone to your computer.
Open iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later).
Select your device and choose to "Back Up Now." This creates a complete backup of your device, including messages.
Step 2: Choose Your New Messaging Home
With your message history secured (or confirmed to be with Apple Messages/iCloud), it's time to select your new default messaging application. Verizon officially recommends two primary options:
Google Messages (for Android users)
Apple Messages (for iOS users)
Sub-heading: Why Google Messages for Android?
Google Messages is Google's official messaging app for Android, and it's quickly becoming the standard. Here's why it's the recommended choice:
RCS Support: Google Messages fully supports RCS, which brings iMessage-like features (read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, improved group chats) to Android-to-Android communication.
Wide Adoption: Many Android manufacturers are now pre-installing Google Messages as their default.
Cross-Device Access (via Web): You can access your Google Messages on a computer via messages.google.com, similar to Message+'s web client.
Google Drive Backup: It offers built-in backup to Google Drive for future messages.
Sub-heading: Why Apple Messages for iOS?
If you're on an iPhone, you're likely already heavily integrated with Apple Messages (iMessage).
Native Integration: It's the default and most seamless messaging experience on iOS.
iMessage Features: All the rich features like read receipts, typing indicators, Tapbacks, and high-quality media are standard.
iCloud Sync: Messages are synced across all your Apple devices via iCloud.
Step 3: Making the Switch (The "How-To" Part!)
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
Now that you've backed up your messages and chosen your new app, let's make the switch.
Sub-heading: For Android Users - Transitioning to Google Messages
This process is straightforward, especially if you used a third-party backup app.
Download Google Messages:
If it's not already installed on your phone, download Google Messages from the Google Play Store.
Set Google Messages as Your Default:
Open Google Messages.
The app will typically prompt you to "Set as default SMS app." Tap this and confirm your selection.
If it doesn't prompt you, go to your phone's Settings > Apps & notifications (or similar) > Default apps > SMS app and select "Messages" (the Google Messages app).
Restore Your Messages (if using a third-party backup):
Open the SMS Backup & Restore app you used in Step 1.
Look for an option like "Restore."
Select the backup file you created (from Google Drive or local storage).
Follow the on-screen prompts to restore your messages. Be patient, this can take a while.
Once restored, open Google Messages, and your old conversations should appear.
Enable RCS Features in Google Messages (Chat Features):
Open Google Messages.
Tap your profile icon (usually top right) > Messages settings > RCS chats.
Ensure "Enable RCS chats" is toggled ON. You may need to verify your phone number. This will unlock the enhanced messaging features.
Connect to Google Messages Web (Optional but Recommended):
On your computer, open a web browser and go to
messages.google.com/web On your phone, in Google Messages, tap your profile icon > Messages settings > Device pairing.
Tap "QR code scanner" and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen. Your messages will now sync to your computer.
Sub-heading: For iOS Users - Continuing with Apple Messages
For iPhone users, the transition is less about switching and more about confirming you're fully utilizing Apple's native messaging capabilities.
Ensure iMessage is Activated:
Go to Settings > Messages.
Make sure "iMessage" is toggled ON.
Under "Send & Receive," ensure your phone number and any preferred email addresses are selected.
Verify "Text Message Forwarding" (for other Apple devices):
In Settings > Messages, tap "Text Message Forwarding."
Toggle on any other Apple devices (iPad, Mac) you want to send and receive SMS/MMS messages from.
Confirm iCloud Sync for Messages:
Revisit Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and ensure "Messages" is still ON. This ensures your message history is consistent across all your Apple devices.
Delete Verizon Messages+ (Optional):
Once you're comfortable that all your messages are in Apple Messages and you no longer need the Verizon Message+ app, you can delete it from your device. Press and hold the app icon, then tap "Remove App" or "Delete App."
Step 4: Clean Up and Ongoing Management
Once you've successfully transitioned, there are a few final steps and considerations for ongoing message management.
Sub-heading: Deleting the Old App and Data
Uninstall Verizon Messages+: After you've confirmed your messages are migrated and your new app is working, you can safely uninstall the Verizon Messages+ app from your phone and any other synced devices (tablets, computers). This frees up space and removes an unused application.
Check for Residual Data: While uninstalling typically removes app data, you might want to check your phone's storage settings to ensure no large Message+ related files are lingering.
Sub-heading: Maintaining Your New Messaging Experience
Regular Backups (Google Messages): For Android users, ensure Google Messages' built-in backup to Google Drive is enabled. This will automatically back up your future messages.
In Google Messages, go to Settings > RCS chats > Google Drive backup (or similar, options may vary).
iCloud Backup (Apple Messages): For iOS users, continue to rely on iCloud backup for your messages.
Explore New Features: Both Google Messages and Apple Messages offer a host of features. Take some time to explore settings like notification preferences, chat bubbles, scheduling messages (Google Messages), and photo/video sharing options.
Privacy Settings: Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings in your new messaging app.
Group Chats: If you were heavily involved in Message+ group chats, inform your contacts about your new primary messaging app. While RCS will improve group chats between Android users, some cross-platform group chats might behave differently than they did in Message+.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers:
How to transfer Verizon Message+ to Google Messages?
To transfer Verizon Message+ messages to Google Messages, Android users should use a third-party app like "SMS Backup & Restore" to back up messages from Message+ and then restore them into Google Messages after setting it as the default app.
How to back up Verizon Message+ history before it shuts down?
For Android, use a third-party app like "SMS Backup & Restore" to create an XML backup of your messages, storing it in Google Drive or local storage. For iOS, ensure iCloud Messages is enabled, as Message+ primarily mirrored your Apple Messages history.
How to know if Verizon Message+ has been discontinued on my device?
The Verizon Message+ app will eventually cease to function for sending and receiving messages. Verizon has publicly announced its discontinuation (fully sunset by December 9, 2024), and you may receive notifications within the app itself or from Verizon directly.
How to set Google Messages as my default messaging app?
On Android, open Google Messages, and it will usually prompt you to set it as default. If not, go to your phone's Settings > Apps & notifications > Default apps > SMS app and select "Messages" (Google Messages).
How to enable RCS features in Google Messages?
Open Google Messages, tap your profile icon (top right) > Messages settings > RCS chats, and ensure "Enable RCS chats" is toggled ON. You might need to verify your phone number.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
How to access my messages on a computer after switching from Verizon Message+?
If you've switched to Google Messages, go to
How to recover messages if I accidentally delete Verizon Message+ without backing up?
If you're on Android and didn't use a third-party backup, recovering messages after uninstalling Message+ might be difficult or impossible, as Message+ stores its own data. For iOS, if iCloud Messages was enabled, your messages are likely still safe in iCloud and the Apple Messages app.
How to handle group chats after the Verizon Message+ shutdown?
For Android users, Google Messages' RCS features will improve group chats with other Android users. For mixed groups, standard SMS/MMS will be used. Ensure all participants know which app you're primarily using.
How to check if my messages are backed up to Verizon Cloud?
Open the Verizon Cloud app, go to Settings > Upload Settings, and see if "Messages" is selected as a data class to be backed up. However, remember Verizon Cloud primarily backs up standard SMS/MMS, not all Message+ specific features.
How to find alternatives to Verizon Message+ for cross-device messaging?
Beyond Google Messages (with its web client) and Apple Messages (with iCloud sync across Apple devices), popular third-party alternatives for cross-platform and cross-device messaging include WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger, though these use their own independent networks and don't typically integrate with your carrier's SMS/MMS.
 |
