9 Must-Use Samsung Messages Secrets for 2026

Samsung Messages continues to be a dependable and widely used application for Samsung Galaxy smartphones, even as Google Messages has become the default texting app on newer U.S. models such as the Galaxy S25 and later versions. Despite this shift, Samsung's own messaging app offers several unique features that Google Messages does not, including customizable conversation categories and a shared attachments menu. In certain regions, Samsung Messages remains the default option, and there are numerous hidden features that can simplify daily texting tasks.

What makes these features stand out is their alignment with the One UI philosophy that many Galaxy users appreciate. While they may not be as flashy as some of the AI features Samsung has recently introduced, they focus on practical, quality-of-life improvements that make texting and organizing messages more efficient. For those who are not yet ready to switch to Google Messages or prefer the consistent look of One UI, here are some lesser-known features in Samsung Messages that can enhance your experience.

Precise Text Editing with Keyboard Cursor Control

Cursor control is an often overlooked Android gesture that proves especially useful in apps like Samsung Messages. If you need to correct a typo or modify details in a long message, you don't have to awkwardly tap and hope the cursor lands between the right letters. Instead, you can use the entire keyboard like a trackpad.

By long-pressing the spacebar, the letters disappear, and you can slide your thumb in any direction over the keyboard to move the cursor precisely where you need it. This method is much smoother than scrolling up and tapping to position the cursor manually. The cursor control feature is usually enabled by default, but if it doesn't work, go to the main Settings app, search for "Samsung keyboard," scroll down to Swipe, touch, and feedback, then tap Keyboard swipe controls and enable Cursor control. This functionality works across all apps that involve typing on the keyboard.

Flash Notifications for Incoming Messages

This feature is tucked away in the Accessibility menu, and most users never think to check it out, but it can be incredibly helpful if you frequently miss texts when your phone is on silent. Rather than relying solely on vibration or sound alerts, you can use this visibility cue to grab your attention. You can enable it for specific apps so your phone isn’t constantly flashing.

To find this feature, simply search for "flash notifications" in the main Settings app. You have two options: the Camera flash notification, which pulses the LED light on the back of your phone, and the "Screen flash notification," which illuminates the entire display with a quick burst of color. You can also change the color of the screen flash. This feature has been popular enough that similar functionality was recently added to iOS 26.

Customize Chat Rooms

One of the standout features of Samsung Messages is the level of visual control you have over each conversation. While many apps offer a universal light or dark mode, Samsung Messages allows you to treat each chat as its own distinct space. To customize a conversation, open the chat, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, and select Customize chat room.

From this menu, you can change the background image by tapping the gallery, adjust the background color, and tweak text transparency and opacity. These settings only apply to the current chat, but you can hit Apply to all chat rooms to make the changes universal. Although the iPhone still leads in styling features for iOS 26 messages, Samsung Messages provides a robust set of customization tools.

Star Messages and Pin Conversations

This feature is often overlooked, but it’s a game-changer for managing a cluttered inbox. If you want to save an important message for later, tap and hold the message, then select Star message. This will place it in the Starred Messages folder, which you can access by tapping More Options (three vertical dots) from the home page of the Messages app. It's particularly useful for saving things like addresses or sentimental notes.

If you want to keep an entire conversation easily accessible, you can pin it to the top so it appears first when you open Samsung Messages. To do this, tap and hold the conversation, then select the Pin icon. This is great for keeping your most important contacts at the top, even when new messages arrive. However, you can only pin three individual conversations.

Conversation Categories

While pinning conversations or starring individual messages helps with accessibility, neither option provides a clean way to organize your entire inbox. That’s where conversation categories come in. To set this up, tap the three vertical dots on the home page of the app, go to Settings, and enable Conversation Categories. Create a category by tapping Add category and entering a label. Then, add relevant conversations to the category.

These categories appear above your last received message, acting as a filtered view of specific conversations. Each message you receive will still be visible in your main inbox, so you won’t miss urgent messages just because they’re under a category. If you have multiple categories, you can swipe between them from the top of the page. This is especially useful for quickly accessing filtered conversations in a busy inbox.

Custom Quick Responses

Quick responses eliminate the need to manually type simple replies. Whether you're on the move, at the gym, or in a meeting, you can use pre-set quick responses to let others know you'll get back to them later. Samsung Messages comes with a few default options, but they may not cover every situation. Fortunately, creating custom quick responses is straightforward.

From the home page, tap the three vertical dots, go to Settings > More Settings > Quick Responses, and edit or delete the default options. Tap the plus icon to create a new one. From the same menu, enable Show in conversations so these responses appear in chats. When in a chat, you can scroll through the horizontal list of quick responses and tap one to send it.

Shared Attachments Gallery

If you use WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, you're familiar with the media finding feature, which lets you quickly view images, links, and documents in individual conversations. Samsung Messages has a similar feature called the shared attachments gallery. Open the conversation where you want to find an attachment, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and select Shared attachments.

You’ll see any pictures or videos immediately, and tapping Other files will show documents or link attachments. If you often return to the same files, tap the file and star the message to save it in the Starred Messages folder. Using either starred messages or the shared attachments gallery is faster than scrolling through a long chat history to find a specific attachment.

Scheduled Messages

Samsung Messages allows you to draft a message and schedule it for a specific time. Go to the conversation, type your message, and tap the plus sign. Select Schedule message, choose the date and time (up to a year in advance), and tap Done. The message will be sent automatically at the specified time.

This is ideal for sending reminders or good morning messages at a specific time without disrupting someone's night. Unfortunately, this feature only works for individual messages and not for bulk scheduling. Still, it’s a helpful tool for ensuring important texts aren’t forgotten.

Remove Location from Sent Images

Privacy is a growing concern, especially with reports of companies scanning photos. Exif data in images can include location details, which could be dangerous if shared with the wrong person. Fortunately, Samsung Messages offers a simple solution.

From the home page of the app, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, go to Settings > More settings, and enable the toggle for Remove location from shared images. From now on, any picture or video you send will not include location data. This helps protect your privacy and reduces the risk of unintentional information leaks.