Verizon shutting down its Message+ app. So what do you do now?

2 hours ago 1

Verizon Messages (Message+) is simply a fashionable messaging app offered by the telecom giant, but it volition unopen down adjacent month.

The app, which has implicit 250 cardinal users, allows you to sync your substance conversations crossed each compatible devices. Verizon Messages is abstracted from your phone’s different messaging apps, specified arsenic iMessage and Google Messages.

Once the app shuts down, you'll request to power to another app to proceed sending and receiving messages. Here’s everything you request to cognize astir the Message+ shutdown.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

The Message+ allowed users to sync substance conversations crossed compatible devices. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Why is Message+ shutting down?

Verizon’s Message+ volition afloat unopen down connected Nov. 7, 2024, owed to the caller Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol. According to Verizon’s enactment page, the app is being discontinued due to the fact that the institution wants to supply "the champion messaging experience." Google Messages, which comes pre-installed connected Android phones, already offers this acquisition acknowledgment to RCS support. Additionally, starting with iOS 18, iPhones volition enactment the RCS protocol arsenic well.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

So, what is RCS? It is simply a communication protocol modular for instant messaging, which brings loads of utile features. RCS messages let you to nonstop high-resolution photos and videos, stock files, nonstop messages implicit Wi-Fi oregon mobile data, and more. They besides see work receipts, typing indicators and the quality to chat successful groups.

RCS messaging was antecedently constricted to Android-to-Android chats, but with iOS 18, Apple made iPhones compatible with the protocol arsenic well.

Users tin hole for the app to unopen down. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

TOP NEW AFFORDABLE CELLPHONE PLANS

What volition hap erstwhile the app shuts down?

Once the app shuts down, you volition nary longer beryllium capable to entree oregon usage immoderate of its features. If you inactive person it installed connected your phone, it’s a bully thought to uninstall it to escaped up abstraction and debar confusion. Any messages you’ve scheduled done Message+ that are acceptable to beryllium sent aft Nov. 7 volition not beryllium delivered, meaning you'll request to find an alternate mode to nonstop those messages.

Plus, the Message+ app volition beryllium wholly removed from some the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, truthful you won’t beryllium capable to download oregon reinstall it successful the future.

HERE’S WHAT RUTHLESS HACKERS STOLE FROM 110 MILLION AT&T CUSTOMERS

How to determination to Google Messages

Verizon recommends you determination your messages to Google Messages erstwhile the Messages+ app shuts down. This lone applies to Android users and beneath are the steps to bash so.

Download the Google Messages app from the Google Play Store if you don’t person it already.
Open the Google Messages app.
When you archetypal unfastened the app, marque Google Messages your default SMS app by tapping Set default SMS app pop-up.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Google Messages app (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

HOW SCAMMERS ARE USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR FINANCIAL SCAMS AND HOW TO STOP THEM

Google Messages alternatives

Google’s data-sharing policies whitethorn deter immoderate of you from switching to Google Messages. I’ve adjacent received emails from radical asking for alternate messaging apps. My apical recommendations are Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram. Signal stands retired arsenic the champion enactment due to the fact that it's developed by a not-for-profit enactment and prioritizes keeping your information secure. I’ve provided detailed instructions connected however to get started with these apps here. While each of them are free, the biggest hurdle is convincing your friends and household to power over. Unlike Message+, some the sender and receiver indispensable person the app installed successful bid to commencement texting.

WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM

Beware of scammers portion switching to a antithetic app

When transitioning to a caller messaging app, it's indispensable to enactment vigilant against scammers who whitethorn effort to exploit your switch. Scammers often people users during app changes, utilizing assorted tactics to summation entree to idiosyncratic accusation oregon instrumentality you into downloading malicious software.

Scammers whitethorn nonstop you messages that look similar they’re from your caller messaging app, asking you to verify your relationship oregon supply idiosyncratic information. Always cheque the sender's code and debar clicking connected suspicious links.

The champion mode to safeguard yourself from malicious links that instal malware, perchance accessing your backstage information, is to person antivirus bundle installed connected each your devices. This extortion tin besides alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your idiosyncratic accusation and integer assets safe. Get my picks for the champion 2024 antivirus extortion winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

Kurt’s cardinal takeaway

Verizon’s Message+ has been a fashionable default texting app for galore of us. However, it lacks respective features that modern messaging apps offer, making its shutdown a spot little inconvenient. You tin easy power to Google Messages oregon immoderate different messaging app of your prime for an improved experience. Just beryllium cautious of phishing links portion utilizing these messaging apps, arsenic scammers often people users during transitions.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Will you power to Google Messages erstwhile Verizon’s Message+ shuts down? Let america cognize by penning america at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For much of my tech tips and information alerts, subscribe to my escaped CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question oregon fto america cognize what stories you'd similar america to cover .

Follow Kurt connected his societal channels:

Answers to the astir asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Try CyberGuy's caller games (crosswords, connection searches, trivia and more!)

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech writer who has a heavy emotion of technology, cogwheel and gadgets that marque beingness amended with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business opening mornings connected "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s escaped CyberGuy Newsletter, stock your voice, a communicative thought oregon remark astatine CyberGuy.com.

*** Disclaimer: This Article is auto-aggregated by a Rss Api Program and has not been created or edited by Nandigram Times

(Note: This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News Rss Api. News.nandigramtimes.com Staff may not have modified or edited the content body.

Please visit the Source Website that deserves the credit and responsibility for creating this content.)

Watch Live | Source Article