Beeper Mini Brings iMessage to Android With No Need for Apple ID Sign-In

[MacRumors]

Beeper Mini, a new app that ostensibly brings iMessage to Android devices with no need for sign-in with Apple ID credentials, today launched on the Google Play Store.

Beeper Mini operates by identifying text message conversations from iMessage users and converting them to the recognizable blue bubbles associated with Apple's exclusive messaging service. This enables Android users to interact with iMessage features such as reactions, threads, high-quality media sharing, and group chats, without the iPhone users noticing any difference.

The app represents a departure from previous methods of accessing iMessage on non-Apple devices, which typically involved relaying messages through a Mac hosted in the cloud or signing in with an Apple ID. Beeper Mini's approach involves direct communication with Apple's servers by registering a user's phone number with iMessage, a process that apparently required extensive reverse engineering of Apple's messaging system.

Beeper is a startup led by Eric Migicovsky that aims to consolidate various messaging services into a single platform. Since its initial launch on desktop devices in 2021, Beeper raised $16 million in funding. Beeper claims that Beeper Mini does not access messages, contacts, or Apple ID passwords. The app's code will also be made open source, offering transparency and allowing for independent review.

Beeper Mini is now available for download on the Google Play Store, with a seven-day free trial followed by a subscription fee of $2 per month.

Article Link: Beeper Mini Brings iMessage to Android With No Need for Apple ID Sign-In

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Man I'm loving the iMessage Arms Race. It's such great entertainment

 

[GMShadow]

Beeper Mini's approach involves direct communication with Apple's servers by registering a user's phone number with iMessage, a process that apparently required extensive reverse engineering of Apple's messaging system.

So Craig can have an intern break this with a single commit.

Solid business model.

 

[dugbug]

iMessage envy is a thing for real? I was just thinking google was whining because google.

I mean maybe if they didn't start and kill 3459 different messaging products they could replicate it.

 

[JanoschR]

LOL… let’s see how long this one lasts (after the Nothing disaster).

 

[BeatsByTim]

The kid who put this together is using apple binaries from macos to make it work. Even hosts them on his github account (dumb)

GitHub - JJTech0130/nacserver

Contribute to JJTech0130/nacserver development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

He also has to fake being an apple device using real device identifiers.

pypush/emulated/data.plist at main · JJTech0130/pypush

Cross-platform iMessage POC. Contribute to JJTech0130/pypush development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

My bet is that apple just bans any devices/accounts that connect using this method.

You're also trusting some highschool kid to get end-to-end encryption right.

 

[kylelerner]

This might be why Apple folded and is implemented RCS. They are starting to realize that companies will, try to, otherwise replicate iMessage on other platforms.

 

[grantishere]

Lawsuits incoming

 

[nfl46]

I just tried and wow...it really works well and VERY simple to setup.

This is a game changer. Lol. My iPhone friends were like...welcome back. And I'm laughing because I'm sending it from my Android phone.

 

[zorinlynx]

iMessage envy is a thing for real? I was just thinking google was whining because google.

I mean maybe if they didn't start and kill 3459 different messaging products they could replicate it.

I heard kids in high school actually get bullied over having "green bubbles".

It's the stupidest thing ever, but I guess kids will always find things to be cruel over, no matter how trivial. iPhones aren't even an indicator of wealth anymore; anyone can get a used SE or other older iPhone for cheap.

 

[seajack0h]

Will let this play out for a few weeks. If it remains stable, will be switching to Pixel. iMessage is the only real advantage at this juncture.

 

[vegetassj4]

iOS 17.2.1 Bug fixes, security (including a fix that prevents unauthorized access to iMessage servers, which may allow a user to bypass encryption, and enhanced bubble color changes)

 

[grantishere]

Charging money to use iMessage? I smell lawsuits coming

 

[BeatsByTim]

I heard kids in high school actually get bullied over having "green bubbles".

It builds character.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Apple, bring iMessage to Android and be done with it. Fix cross platform payments and messaging in an Apple way.

 

[senohpoxas88]

It's worth noting that Eric Migicovsky is the founder of the Pebble Watch, which was arguably the best smartwatch until Apple released the Apple Watch. It was also one of the most funded Kickstarters of all time, and he's a serial entrepreneur that does stuff with YCombinator.

I've been following Beeper for a while, and this is not their main business model. Their goal is to take all of the different chat platforms that people use (SMS, iMessage, FB Messenger, Telegram, Discord, Snap, etc), and merge them into one app.

So Craig can have an intern break this with a single commit.

Solid business model.

 

[BeatsByTim]

It's worth noting that Eric Migicovsky is the founder of the Pebble Watch, which was arguably the best smartwatch until Apple released the Apple Watch. It was also one of the most funded Kickstarters of all time, and he's a serial entrepreneur that does stuff with YCombinator.

I've been following Beeper for a while, and this is not their main business model. Their goal is to take all of the different chat platforms that people use (SMS, iMessage, FB Messenger, Telegram, Discord, Snap, etc), and merge them into one app.

What killed Pebble was that they didn't focus on their core product and split it out into too many SKUs.
Now he's trying to do what Pidgen did decades ago for free and somehow make money from it.

 

[WilliApple]

Just get an iPhone lol.

I have a feeling this will end up like Sunbird.

 

[Attirex]

Cease and Desist in 3...2....

 

[rgeneral]

$2 a month to change the color?

 

[4odomi]

Beeper Mini, a new app that ostensibly brings iMessage to Android devices with no need for sign-in with Apple ID credentials, today launched on the Google Play Store.

Beeper Mini operates by identifying text message conversations from iMessage users and converting them to the recognizable blue bubbles associated with Apple's exclusive messaging service. This enables Android users to interact with iMessage features such as reactions, threads, high-quality media sharing, and group chats, without the iPhone users noticing any difference.

The app represents a departure from previous methods of accessing iMessage on non-Apple devices, which typically involved relaying messages through a Mac hosted in the cloud or signing in with an Apple ID. Beeper Mini's approach involves direct communication with Apple's servers by registering a user's phone number with iMessage, a process that apparently required extensive reverse engineering of Apple's messaging system.

Beeper is a startup led by Eric Migicovsky that aims to consolidate various messaging services into a single platform. Since its initial launch on desktop devices in 2021, Beeper raised $16 million in funding. Beeper claims that Beeper Mini does not access messages, contacts, or Apple ID passwords. The app's code will also be made open source, offering transparency and allowing for independent review.

Beeper Mini is now available for download on the Google Play Store, with a seven-day free trial followed by a subscription fee of $2 per month.

Article Link: Beeper Mini Brings iMessage to Android With No Need for Apple ID Sign-In

My question is who is challenged enough to invest $16 million in this?
Have they not heard RCS is coming to iPhone?
And who is going to subscribe $2 a moth just to have access to iMessage?
Cheaper long term just to buy the real thing 🤣

 

[thingstoponder]

If you’re that desperate to use iMessage just buy an iPhone. Surely if android is better then you’re fine without it.

 

[4odomi]

It's worth noting that Eric Migicovsky is the founder of the Pebble Watch, which was arguably the best smartwatch until Apple released the Apple Watch. It was also one of the most funded Kickstarters of all time, and he's a serial entrepreneur that does stuff with YCombinator.

I've been following Beeper for a while, and this is not their main business model. Their goal is to take all of the different chat platforms that people use (SMS, iMessage, FB Messenger, Telegram, Discord, Snap, etc), and merge them into one app.

That would require every one of those platforms to allow him access, why should they? and will they?
I doubt it!

 

[dk001]

My question is who is challenged enough to invest $16 million in this?
Have they not heard RCS is coming to iPhone?
And who is going to subscribe $2 a moth just to have access to iMessage?
Cheaper long term just to buy the real thing 🤣

RCS is coming with no encryption available. It is a step forward, however ….

 

[ratspg]

The RCS fire has been lit under every developer making these kind of apps. Apple announcing support for RCS really screws up their plans, so here is a reversed engineered version as they attempt to gather whomever they can before RCS support shows up within a year.