Text conversation histories are disappearing in the Google Messages app in a growing number of cases, fuelling anxiety among Samsung Galaxy users. Some users say months of messages vanished at once. A key cause is being cited as the process of switching from Samsung Messages to Google Messages.

IT outlet PhoneArena reported on April 28 that many reports have recently been posted on Google support forums and Reddit saying some or all text conversation histories have disappeared.

The issue has been reported mainly on Samsung Galaxy models including the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S23 and Galaxy A52. Some users said most messages disappeared across multiple chat rooms. Others claimed several months of conversation history was deleted at once. In some cases, users said deleted messages were not left in archives or trash, making them appear to have been permanently removed.

For now, the process of changing the default app from Samsung Messages to Google Messages is being mentioned as a key variable. Samsung Electronics has recently guided Galaxy users to switch the default texting app to Google Messages. In the process, Google Messages reindexes the existing text database, and it is known this can take several days to complete if there is a large volume of conversations. Support forums also suggested some messages may not be visible because reindexing is not yet complete.

Some cases have also been confirmed that cannot be explained by a simple sync delay. Some experts mentioned the possibility that Samsung Messages data stored on carriers' servers may not properly link with Google Messages' Jibe-based system. Another analysis said that due to a known bug in which a smartphone cannot properly process message blocks, some conversations or entire chat rooms may not be displayed even if the actual data remains on the device.

The problem is also appearing among users who have used Samsung Messages for a long time. Some have raised the possibility that it may go beyond an initial app-switching issue and be related to the sync structure itself.

The response options users can try are limited. One suggested approach is to wait a few days right after switching apps and check whether reindexing has completed.

If syncing gets tangled midway, users have shared a method of setting Samsung Messages back as the default app, rebooting the phone, and then, after the conversation list displays normally, setting Google Messages as the default again. Some also raised the possibility that some messages were misclassified into an 'Unknown' folder within Google Messages. In that case, users can check that folder directly or try clearing the app cache and reinstalling it.

Users have also stressed the importance of backing up in advance. One Reddit user said they avoided the problem by first backing up all messages using the 'SMS Backup & Restore' app and then switching to Google Messages.

This is not the first time an issue has been raised about conversation deletions in Google Messages. Similar cases were raised on Google support forums in 2019, and a post at the time received more than 1,000 recommendations.

As the latest cases are concentrated on Samsung devices and appear tied to the sync process between Samsung Messages and Google Messages, Galaxy users appear to need caution until an official solution emerges. Users can submit the issue through the in-app Help and Send feedback menus.