Connect with us
DAPA Banner
DAPA Coin
DAPA
COIN PAYMENT ASSET
PRIVACY · BLOCKDAG · HOMOMORPHIC ENCRYPTION · RUST
ElGamal Encrypted MINE DAPA
🚫 GENESIS SOLD OUT
DAPAPAY COMING

Business

‘No recession but nothing to shout about’: Greater Manchester economy resilient but sluggish, latest figures show

Published

on

Business Live

Greater Manchester Chamber and Growth Company say there are positive signs in manufacturing but warn on demand dip

The Manchester skyline at dawn

The Manchester skyline at dawn(Image: Getty Images)

Greater Manchester’s economy is staying resilient but seeing only low levels of growth, new figures have shown.

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) showed a slight weakening in the local economy. Its headline Greater Manchester Index fell from 15 in the first quarter of the year to 13 in Q2.

Advertisement

Firms polled said they had been affected by dips in domestic demand and advance orders, while the service sector had seen a decline and construction had seen two consecutive quarters of contraction. Service exports also fell, but manufacturing exports rose as that sector showed some positivity.

The QES figures were revealed at the Greater Manchester Business Index event, held by the Chamber and the Growth Company at The Manchester College’s City Campus.

Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara, director of business policy and research at the Chamber, said: “The key issue is that we’ve had a long period of low-level economic growth. We’re not heading towards a recession, but we do have a consistently low level of economic growth. The services-driven decline we’re seeing signals softer consumer spending but there’s been no collapse in manufacturing and construction activity is still resilient.”

He added: “The Greater Manchester Index has weakened since the last quarter. There’s no crash but it has certainly weakened compared with the last figure. The Index has been consistently hovering around the 13 to 15 mark.”

Advertisement

Mr Krishnan-Harihara said manufacturing had seen growth, while the Chamber’s Construction Pipeline Analysis showed £35bn of projects were planned over the next five years in Greater Manchester.

He added: “Optimism in manufacturing and construction has gone up. Nationally construction is under stress but there is resilience in Greater Manchester. There is some good news about business resilience in the figures, but we need business investment to pick up as we can’t just rely on consumer spending.”

Mr Krishnan-Harihara said the rise in the Retail Sales Index from April to May showed people were continuing to spend, but warned consumer confidence was weakening.

He said: “Many of the services sub-sectors, such as defence and health, are reliant on public sector spending but we can’t rely too much on that during times of financial stress.

Advertisement
Chamber economist Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara speaks at the latest economic survey event from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Growth Company in front of a slide on Business Confidence

Chamber economist Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara speaks at an earlier QES event

“The key challenge for the new Prime Minister is: where will all the investment funding come from?”

At the QES event, Rupert Greenhalgh, head of business intelligence at The Growth Company, discussed what his organisation’s research revealed about the Greater Manchester economy.

He said: “There’s no material impact from the Middle East conflict in the figures but longer term it will wash through. In manufacturing the big concern is future orders, and we will probably start to see more stress in that area.

“Uncertainty about hiring means that the number of job vacancies in Greater Manchester is at its lowest level in five years. We’re nowhere near a recession but there’s nothing to shout about in terms of growth.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

Dialight plc 2026 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (OTCMKTS:DIALF) 2026-06-26

Published

on

OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

Continue Reading

Business

Second Ransom Note Claimed Savannah’s Missing Mother Died and Was ‘Buried in Nature’

Published

on

Zayed International Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport

A second ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, indicated that the 84-year-old had died shortly after she was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home in February, according to multiple news organizations that reported on the note’s contents this week.

Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Catalina Foothills, a suburb of Tucson, on February 1, 2026. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he believed she had been abducted, and a multi-agency investigation involving the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection has included forensic analysis, neighborhood canvassing and a review of surveillance footage. Bloodstains found at the scene were confirmed to be Nancy’s.

She was last seen at her home on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at approximately 9:50 p.m. Cioni, who is married to Guthrie’s daughter Annie, is the last known person to have seen her. When she failed to appear for a scheduled livestream of a church service the next morning, a member of her congregation alerted the family, who went to check on her, searched the property, and found no sign of her before calling 911 around noon. Deputies who responded noted that Guthrie’s phone and other essential belongings, including her medications, were left behind in the home.

Ransom demands followed within days

Advertisement

In the days after she vanished, multiple ransom notes of undetermined origin demanded payment in cryptocurrency, with two deadlines that had already passed by February 9. The first note demanded a ransom of millions of dollars. In a video released on February 7, Savannah Guthrie said, “we will pay,” and the ransom demand was later reported at $6 million with a deadline of 5 p.m. on February 9.

On February 24, the family offered $1 million for information that helps in her recovery. The FBI later released a surveillance photo on February 10 showing a potential subject in the investigation.

The second note’s contents stayed private for months

A ransom note reportedly sent on February 6, 2026, claimed that Nancy died shortly after her kidnapping, but law enforcement asked that its contents be kept private so as not to interfere with the investigation. The note was not revealed publicly until June 22, 2026.

Advertisement

According to law enforcement sources who spoke to CNN, the note said, in essence, that the kidnapping “wasn’t intended to work this way” but that “in the course of the kidnapping some things happened and Nancy Guthrie is dead,” according to CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller. Investigators believed both the ransom note and the note describing her death were legitimate communications from whoever took her.

NBC News reported additional detail on the note’s contents. Three people familiar with the matter told NBC News that the note indicated Nancy had died but contained no apology for allegedly taking her and made no request for payment for the release of her body.

A specific phrase from the note also circulated this week. A source close to the investigation told NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin that the note said Nancy died and was “buried with nature now,” and that the note indicated her death was not intentional, though it did not include a direct apology. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the note’s authenticity.

Law enforcement told Tucson station KOLD that the two notes received by the Guthrie family are believed to have come from the same person. While the notes were not sent from the same IP address, the sender appeared to have used the same type of secure server to conceal it, according to KOLD reporter Mary Coleman.

Advertisement

News outlets held back details for months

Several news organizations that received the notes said they delayed publishing their contents out of concern for the investigation and the family. KOLD’s Coleman wrote on Facebook that the station “held off on sharing the contents of the notes” because it “wanted no part in compromising the investigation and out of respect for the family.”

The notes were sent to Tucson media outlets that investigators deemed potentially credible, and the FBI attempted to trace their origin. Shortly after receiving the second note, Savannah Guthrie posted a statement on Instagram on February 7 saying, “We received your message and we understand.”

Questions about additional alleged communications also surfaced this week. TMZ founder Harvey Levin said in a video that his outlet received an early note saying Guthrie was “scared but OK,” but he said claims that TMZ had received a separate ransom note containing an apology to the Guthrie family were false.

Advertisement

Investigation remains active

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told CNN this week that the investigation remains “active and ongoing,” and referred further questions about the ransom notes to the FBI. The FBI has recovered doorbell camera images of an armed and masked man outside Guthrie’s home on the morning of her disappearance and has described that man as a suspect.

As of June 25, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has not been located, and the case has drawn international attention, with Savannah Guthrie suspending her broadcasting duties, including coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to take part in the search before later returning to “Today.”

Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly appealed to the public for help. On June 23, she said on “Today,” “No matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy, and I will, I promise I will, this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help, and I’m not going to miss that opportunity. And so please if you’re watching, no matter how small, the reward is there. You can tell us, it can be anonymous. Please do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children. We love our mom, and we’ll never stop looking for her, ever.”

Advertisement

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.

A separate, unverified lead emerged from outside the official investigation. Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz, leader of the Mexican missing-persons group Buscando Corazones Nogales, told the newspaper El Imparcial that her organization received an anonymous tip on June 10 claiming Nancy’s remains were buried near the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting a search of the area. “We received an anonymous call telling us that the woman’s remains were in the Mariposa area in a grave over a stream,” Ayala Ortiz said, “and this time we came to explore this stream that we failed to explore in the first intervention.” No trace of Nancy Guthrie has been found, despite the group uncovering more than 20 unmarked graves during its search.

Investigators have not publicly tied that tip to the case, and no arrests have been announced. Authorities continue to ask anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to come forward.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Why is Lumentum stock sliding today?

Published

on


Why is Lumentum stock sliding today?

Continue Reading

Business

Record temperatures drives up home air conditioning inquiries

Published

on

A woman with brown hair is wearing a yellow jumper and is pointing a control at a white air conditioned unit on a wall.

Finding an air conditioned space during the heatwave has been a topic of conversation for many people.

A red warning of extreme heat has affected millions of people – schools have closed, transport has been disrupted and people have been searching for cooler spaces in which to work or rest.

Churches, community centres, museums and libraries have been providing free ‘cool spaces’, helping people to take a break from the rising temperatures.

But some people are going a step further and installing air conditioning in their homes. For companies like Aircon Services in Tamworth, business is booming with domestic inquiries rising by 300% in the last six years.

Advertisement

People were not willing to tolerate the heat anymore co-founder Marc Newbold said adding air conditioning was starting to be viewed as a necessity not a luxury.

Ninety percent of UK homes will overheat during the summer by 2050, the National Housing Federation said.

Homes have historically been designed for the colder weather with the aim of keeping heat in.

Overheating occurs when indoor temperatures rise to an uncomfortable level, typically exceeding 25C to 27C.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Wendy’s Stock Gets Boost From Retail Traders

Published

on

Alphabet Is Selling 100-Year Debt as Part of a Big Bond Sale

Users poured into a Reddit forum called “WallStreetBets”–known for sparking huge rallies of other so-called meme-stock trades like GameStop–yesterday evening with messages like, “We need to save Wendy’s before it’s too late.”

Also yesterday, Wendy’s named a new chief financial officer in Steve Cirulis, who had been holding the same role at the sandwich chain Potbelly, as part of its wider turnaround plans.

Continue Reading

Business

Australian shares edge higher as precious metals bounce

Published

on

Australian shares edge higher as precious metals bounce

The Australian share market has finished higher for the day as gold rebounded after hitting an eight-month low, but local shares still lost ground for the week.

Continue Reading

Business

T-Mobile Shares Advance as Wireless Carrier Maintains Strong Subscriber Growth

Published

on

US wireless carrier T-Mobile revealed more details of a data breach that affected millions of customers

T-Mobile US Inc. shares rose modestly on Friday, closing at $181.57 after gaining $0.78, as investors continued assessing the carrier’s competitive position and growth trajectory in the wireless industry.

The advance reflected ongoing confidence in T-Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers through competitive pricing, network improvements and innovative service offerings. The company has consistently added subscribers while expanding its 5G coverage and capacity.

T-Mobile’s Un-carrier strategy, which emphasizes flexibility and customer-friendly policies, has differentiated it from traditional competitors. Its focus on value and transparency has resonated with consumers seeking alternatives to legacy carriers.

The company’s merger with Sprint, completed several years ago, has delivered anticipated synergies and network benefits. Combined spectrum holdings and infrastructure have strengthened its position as a leading wireless provider.

Advertisement

Subscriber Growth and Financial Performance

T-Mobile has reported robust postpaid phone net additions in recent quarters, demonstrating its appeal to consumers and businesses. Its service plans and device financing options have contributed to customer acquisition and loyalty.

Revenue growth has been supported by increased average revenue per user and expanded customer base. The company’s ability to monetize its network investments through higher-tier plans and additional services has driven financial improvement.

Operating expenses have been managed effectively despite investments in network expansion and customer acquisition. T-Mobile’s scale provides advantages in negotiating with suppliers and managing operational costs.

Advertisement

The company’s balance sheet remains solid, supporting continued investment in 5G infrastructure and potential strategic initiatives. Its financial flexibility provides options for returning capital to shareholders or pursuing growth opportunities.

Network and Technology Leadership

T-Mobile has aggressively expanded its 5G network coverage and capacity, positioning itself as a leader in high-speed wireless connectivity. Its mid-band spectrum holdings have enabled strong performance in urban and suburban areas.

The carrier continues investing in advanced technologies including carrier aggregation and dynamic spectrum sharing. These improvements enhance network efficiency and customer experience.

Advertisement

Fixed wireless access services have emerged as a significant growth area, providing home broadband alternatives in many markets. T-Mobile’s ability to deliver reliable high-speed internet has challenged traditional cable and fiber providers.

The company’s focus on rural coverage expansion through government programs and private investment supports its goal of comprehensive national connectivity. Bridging the digital divide remains an important aspect of its corporate mission.

Competitive Landscape

T-Mobile competes with Verizon and AT&T in a consolidated wireless market. Its aggressive marketing and customer acquisition strategies have pressured competitors to adjust their approaches.

Advertisement

The carrier’s emphasis on value and flexibility has attracted customers from traditional postpaid plans. Its prepaid and value-oriented offerings serve different market segments effectively.

International roaming and global partnerships enhance its appeal for frequent travelers. T-Mobile’s network agreements provide coverage in numerous countries without additional charges for many customers.

The emergence of new competitors and technologies continues shaping the wireless landscape. T-Mobile’s adaptability and innovation help maintain its competitive edge.

Investment Considerations

Advertisement

T-Mobile’s share price performance reflects investor confidence in its growth story and market position. The company’s valuation considers its subscriber base, network assets and competitive advantages.

The stock appeals to investors seeking exposure to wireless communications and digital infrastructure. Its growth potential and cash flow generation support positive long-term outlooks.

Risks include regulatory changes, competitive responses and execution challenges in network deployment. T-Mobile’s history of navigating industry challenges provides some reassurance to investors.

Analysts generally maintain constructive views, citing the company’s momentum and strategic initiatives. Continued subscriber growth and margin improvement could drive further valuation support.

Advertisement

Industry Trends

The wireless industry continues evolving with 5G deployment, increasing data consumption and emerging technologies. Carriers must balance investment in infrastructure with returns on capital.

Consumer demand for unlimited data plans and high-speed connectivity drives network capacity requirements. T-Mobile’s focus on mid-band spectrum has proven effective for balancing coverage and performance.

Fixed wireless access represents a significant opportunity to disrupt traditional broadband markets. Successful execution in this area could diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on mobile services.

Advertisement

Regulatory considerations around spectrum allocation, net neutrality and competition policy influence industry dynamics. T-Mobile’s advocacy for pro-competitive policies aligns with its business interests.

Future Outlook

T-Mobile’s strategic direction focuses on expanding its customer base, enhancing network capabilities and developing new revenue streams. Its Un-carrier philosophy continues guiding customer-centric initiatives.

The company’s 5G leadership and fixed wireless growth provide strong foundations for future performance. Continued investment in technology and customer experience will support long-term success.

Advertisement

Investors will monitor upcoming quarterly results for progress on subscriber metrics, revenue growth and margin trends. Management guidance will provide insight into execution priorities and market conditions.

The wireless industry’s fundamental demand drivers remain strong. T-Mobile’s competitive positioning and operational capabilities suggest potential for continued market share gains.

As the company advances its network and service offerings, its contribution to American connectivity and digital economy will expand. T-Mobile’s progress will be watched closely by industry participants and investors.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Booking Holdings Stock: Strong Track Record At A Discount (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Published

on

Booking Holdings Stock: Strong Track Record At A Discount (NASDAQ:BKNG)

This article was written by

I am an avid investor with a major focus on small cap companies with experience in investing in US, Canadian, and European markets. My investment philosophy to generating great returns on the stock market revolves around identifying mispriced securities by understanding the drivers behind a company’s financials, and ultimately, most often revealed by a DCF model valuation. This methodology doesn’t limit an investor into rigid traditional value, dividend, or growth investing, but rather accounts for all of a stock’s prospects to determine the risk-to-reward.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

FPIs pump record Rs 39,640 crore into Indian G-Secs in June so far

Published

on

FPIs pump record Rs 39,640 crore into Indian G-Secs in June so far
Mumbai: Overseas investors bought a record ₹39,640 crore – or about $4.2 billion – of Indian government bonds in June so far, making this the strongest inflow into debt instruments for a month by some distance and easily surpassing the previous record of ₹22,005 crore, set in August 2024.

The surge came after the government and the Reserve Bank of India exempted capital gains on eligible sovereign debt investments and expanded the pool of securities under the Fully Accessible Route, measures aimed at deepening foreign participation in the domestic bond market.

The tax exemption has paved the way for increased expectations that Indian debt would be included in Bloomberg’s global aggregate index, market participants said.

Vedanta unit accepts bids worth $1.75 billion for three-tranche dollar debt, bankers say
Advertisement

Vedanta Resources’ subsidiary has successfully raised $1.75 billion through a dollar bond issuance to refinance over $2 billion in high-yielding debt. The company secured funds across six, eight, and eleven-year tenors at competitive rates, significantly lower than initial guidance. This move aims to reduce the cost of borrowing and includes plans to repurchase several existing, higher-interest bonds.


“RBIs measures have alleviated concerns regarding rupee depreciation, while tax exemptions for FPIs have boosted optimism about India’s potential inclusion in Bloomberg’s global aggregate index,” said Sameer Karyatt, MD and head of trading, DBS Bank. “These factors have prompted some investors to invest proactively in India, a trend I expect to continue unless there are major shifts in the global geopolitical environment.”

FPIAgencies

Experts Advise Caution
Inflows from the coordinated regulatory and government measures, which included allowing overseas investors to buy even 30-year debt, are expected to increase India’s foreign exchange reserves that stood at $672 billion as of June 12.


The rupee, after reaching a record low of 96.96 per dollar in late May, appreciated to close at 94.40 on Thursday. The 10-year benchmark yield has eased 20 basis points since the measures were announced. The yield closed at 6.76%, CCIL data showed.
Yields and prices of bonds move in opposite directions. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point.”Because the rupee was so volatile and rapidly depreciating, debt investors were averse. But now there is greater confidence and investors think this is a good opportunity,” said Abhishek Upadhyay, senior economist, fixed income strategy, ICICI Securities PD. “I also expect further inflows at the end of this calendar year, as the Bloomberg index inclusion is expected,” Upadhyay said.

The inflows in June come after a muted show in FY26. Net FPI inflows in FAR bonds stood at Rs 3,546 crore last fiscal year, CCIL data showed.

However, some experts caution against extrapolating June’s strong inflows. While recent policy measures have improved the appeal of Indian government bonds, their relative attractiveness remains constrained by elevated US Treasury yields.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Here’s Exactly When the Texting App Will Stop Working in 2026

Published

on

Samsung Smartphone

Samsung is preparing to shut down its long-running Messages app, ending a texting tool that has shipped on Galaxy devices since 2009 and pushing millions of users toward Google’s default messaging platform.

The company has posted a formal End of Service notice confirming that Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026, with Google Messages designated as the replacement. The notice appears on Samsung’s U.S. support website, and the company is directing customers to switch their default texting app before the cutoff arrives.

While Samsung’s public messaging has stuck to the broader “July 2026” timeframe, at least one specific date has surfaced through device notifications sent directly to users. A screenshot obtained by NBC Chicago of a notice some Android users received read: “Samsung Messages is being discontinued on July 6 2026.” The notice continued: “Use Google Messages to get RCS chats with rich, expressive features, end-to-end encryption and powerful AI.”

Samsung has acknowledged that the exact shutdown date may vary depending on the device. The company is advising customers to check the Samsung Messages app itself for the precise date their service will end.

Advertisement

What happens when the app shuts down

Once the cutoff hits, the app won’t simply vanish from phones — but it will stop functioning as a texting tool. According to the fine print in Samsung’s notice, “sending messages via Samsung Messages on your phone will no longer be possible, except for emergency service numbers or emergency contacts defined in your device.”

The shutdown will also affect a feature some users rely on for cross-device texting. Samsung said its Message Continuity service, known as “Call & Text on Other Devices,” which lets people text from a paired tablet or PC, will also be disrupted once Samsung Messages is discontinued.

Availability of the app itself is already shrinking ahead of the deadline. Owners of the Galaxy S26 and newer devices cannot download the Samsung Messages app from the Galaxy Store at all, and once the app is formally discontinued, no other devices will be able to download it from the store either.

Advertisement

Not every Galaxy owner needs to worry about the change. Samsung said users running Android 11 or older operating systems are not affected by the end of service.

Why Samsung is making the switch

The move is widely viewed as part of a broader consolidation around Google’s RCS-based messaging standard, which has become the industry norm across most Android phone makers. Samsung had already stopped pre-installing its Messages app on flagship Galaxy devices back in 2024, a step that signaled the company was laying groundwork to phase the app out entirely.

Samsung has framed the change as a way to streamline the texting experience across its hardware lineup. In its end-of-service announcement, the company said the shift is meant “to maintain a consistent messaging experience on Android.” Google Messages offers RCS chat features, including read receipts, typing indicators, higher-quality photo and video sharing, and integration with Gemini-powered AI tools such as suggested replies.

Advertisement

Industry observers have noted that the shift is closely tied to Google’s broader push for RCS — Rich Communication Services — which functions as something of an Android counterpart to Apple’s iMessage. The change is being described less as a single dramatic shutdown and more as a phased transition.

Will old text messages transfer over?

For most users, the switch should be relatively painless when it comes to standard texts. Google Messages draws from the device’s standard SMS and MMS database, meaning older text conversations typically carry over automatically without requiring a manual export.

RCS conversations are a different story. Because RCS messages are tied to the specific app that sent and received them, conversations held over RCS within Samsung Messages may not transfer automatically, and Google has not released a dedicated tool for importing those RCS threads from third-party apps. It also remains unclear what will happen to message backups stored in Samsung’s cloud service. Samsung has not said whether cloud-stored message archives will stay accessible once the app is retired, or whether users will need to download them in advance.

Advertisement

Samsung is recommending that affected users back up their message history using Samsung Smart Switch or a similar backup tool before making the switch, then download Google Messages from the Play Store, set it as the default messaging app, and confirm that older conversations appear correctly before disabling the original app.

A geographic question mark

It remains unsettled whether the shutdown will extend beyond the United States. Samsung did not immediately respond to questions about whether its guidance applied globally or only to the U.S. market. Discussion among users in international Samsung community forums has reflected the same uncertainty, with some posts noting it remains unclear whether the end-of-service notice represents a global shutdown, a phased regional closure, or one limited specifically to the U.S. market for now.

Scammers are already exploiting the confusion

Advertisement

The transition period has also created an opening for fraud. Scammers have begun sending fake texts that exploit confused Galaxy phone owners during the messaging switch. Security researchers note that fraudulent actors frequently obtain phone numbers from data broker sites rather than guessing them, and they recommend that users be cautious of unsolicited texts referencing the app transition, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and verify any “system” notifications directly within their phone’s settings rather than through a text message.

What users should do before the deadline

For Galaxy owners looking to get ahead of the shutdown, the recommended steps are straightforward: open Samsung Messages to check for a device-specific notice listing the exact cutoff date, back up existing SMS, MMS and RCS conversations, install Google Messages from the Play Store if it isn’t already present, and set it as the default app under the phone’s settings menu. Once switched, users are advised to open Google Messages and confirm their older threads appear correctly before removing or disabling Samsung Messages altogether.

With the deadline now confirmed for July 2026, Samsung’s decision effectively closes the chapter on one of the last major Android manufacturer-built texting apps still operating in the U.S. market, leaving Google Messages as the default standard for Galaxy device owners going forward.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025