No iMessage on Android: Apple blocks third-party app

• Beeper Mini allows users to send and receive messages from Apple’s iMessage on an Android device.
• Apple has blocked the third-party app, citing security and privacy concerns. 
• Apple still wants to maintain the exclusiveness of Apple iMessage. 

With over 2.3 billion users globally, the Android OS remains the most popular mobile phone operating system in the world. Given Android’s affordability, there are now hundreds of smartphone models, each catering to a unique market.

Yet, despite Android’s popularity among smartphone users, many still admire Apple devices, and particularly some of the features it offers in its iOS devices. While there is no possibility of running Android on Apple devices or vice versa, some app developers have developed applications that make certain features of Apple available on Android devices.

Many developers have tried to create third-party apps that can support apps on both OS but many have failed.

That is until Beeper Mini arrived. The Android app has apparently been built specifically to send and receive messages from Apple iMessage on an Android device.

According to a blog post by the developer, the app allows Android users to join iPhone-only group chats, since people can add their phone number instead of their email address. It also negates the need of an Apple ID. All chat features like typing status, read receipts, full-resolution images or videos, emoji reactions, voice messages, editing, unsending, and more are supported.

“Unlike every other attempt to build an Android app like this (including our first generation Beeper app), Beeper Mini does not use a Mac relay server in a data center. Instead, the app connects directly to Apple servers to send and receive end-to-end encrypted messages. Encryption keys never leave your device. No Apple ID is required,” the company explained.

iMessage for Apple users only

Following the launch of this third-party app, Apple decided to put a stop to this. The company has since taken steps to shut down third-party applications that let Android devices use the Apple iMessage service to communicate with iPhone users.

According to a report by The Verge, Apple released a statement citing the security and privacy concerns of its users.

“We took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials to gain access to iMessage. These techniques posed significant risks to user security and privacy, including the potential for metadata exposure and enabling unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks. We will continue to make updates in the future to protect our users,” the statement said.

🤳 The app is all you need: no third-party servers, burner laptops, or Mac and iPhone hoops to go through:

🤯 Download Beeper Mini » set up your account » AND YOU’RE IN.

(Securely and end-to-end encrypted, with no outside “middle-man.”) https://t.co/02tdpcAzpU pic.twitter.com/exV4nxFZdw

— Beeper (@onbeeper) December 5, 2023

It’s not surprising that Apple would block the service, given the exclusiveness the iOS has. Even before iMessage, there have been attempts by other app developers to develop iOS apps for Android devices. Many have not even come close to what Beeper has achieved.

Beeper’s founder, Eric Migicovsky, said that he simply didn’t understand why Apple would block his app. “If Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of iPhone users, why would it stop a service that enables its own users to send encrypted messages to Android users, rather than using unsecured SMS?”

The Verge also reported Migicovsky stating that he’d be happy to share Beeper’s code with Apple for a security review so that it could be sure of Beeper’s security practices.

The most secured OS?

Is Apple really focused on keeping its users secure by blocking Beeper and other third-party apps? Given the number of vulnerabilities and incidents involving Android devices, it can’t be denied that Apple is at least technically doing the right thing.

After all, app developers themselves are aware of the strict requirements set by Apple when it comes to developing any apps for the platform. On the other hand, cybercriminals often use loopholes on Android devices, such as enabling phones to still run older versions to get their victims’ data.

Android users themselves have questioned the lack of an iMessage app for Android and acknowledged that third-party apps would be a security compromise. Apart from iMessage, some developers have tried to make iMovie and GarageBand available on Android. While there are APK versions for some of the iOS apps on the PlayStore, downloading them is still a big risk.

One hope for users is that Apple has recently said it would support rich communications services (RCS) next year. According to a report by Bloomberg, RCS will be the replacement for the standard SMS service that will provide an improved texting experience between platforms.

Ultimately though, Apple still wants to maintain its exclusiveness. Last year, Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook suggested that a user who wanted to easily message his mother on an Android should “buy her an iPhone” instead.

But that may all change in 2024 – in the EU at least. The Digital Markets Acts will require Apple to allow third-party app stores in the region.

Perhaps Beeper may have a chance again next year.

 

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