All Devices iMessage for Android?

[Puppuccino]

As a die hard Apple fan and iPhone user, this wouldn't be of any interest to me personally; however I really do wish Apple would expand iMessage to Android users.

I have WhatsApp but only because a couple of people and groups I'm in rely on it. I'm mostly put off because it's a Facebook property but it's also because it's an extra app.

The thought came to me because I know Apple Music is available on Android devices, I was curious as to whether iMessage would follow suit? For now I just need to put up with WhatsApp but it'd be great for Apple to expand even more to capture more of a user base.

 

[bransoj]

Even if they did release it you would then need all the Android folk to switch to using it instead of Whatsapp....

 

[MozMan68]

I think you underestimate how many people buy iPhones with iMessage being a key reason. A longtime Android user in a meeting I was in just yesterday was saying how he was going to switch to Apple for "ease of use" including iMessage as being one of the key reasons...that and co-workers shaming him for the green bubbles...hah.

Apple knows it sells more phones and if they haven't offered it yet, chances are they never will.

 

[Ludatyk]

The thought came to me because I know Apple Music is available on Android devices, I was curious as to whether iMessage would follow suit? For now I just need to put up with WhatsApp but it'd be great for Apple to expand even more to capture more of a user base.

Apple Music is tied to a subscription.. something that customers pay for. It makes financial sense for Apple to make that available for various platform. However, iMessage is different... it’s not tied to a subscription, it’s practically free. And, Apple is aware that it benefits them to keep iMessage tied to their OS because it locks in the user. Granted, the user is free to go as they please... but they can’t take iMessage with them.

 

[Avarize]

I think you underestimate how many people buy iPhones with iMessage being a key reason. A longtime Android user in a meeting I was in just yesterday was saying how he was going to switch to Apple for "ease of use" including iMessage as being one of the key reasons...that and co-workers shaming him for the green bubbles...hah.

Apple knows it sells more phones and if they haven't offered it yet, chances are they never will.

iMessage is a huge factor for me in staying in the Apple ecosystem. The ease of use and the fact that I can throw my phone on my dock at my desk and continue on a conversation on my iMac is something I will never want to give up.

 

[Ludatyk]

iMessage is a huge factor for me in staying in the Apple ecosystem. The ease of use and the fact that I can throw my phone on my dock at my desk and continue on a conversation on my iMac is something I will never want to give up.

Agreed! I’ve dabbled in Android over the years, but I keep coming back. And Apple has done a amazing job with adding new features to iMessage. I alternate conversations between my phone, iPad and iMac.

 

[Puppuccino]

Yeah it makes sense that they’d want to keep it to iOS only. I just wish people wouldn’t use WhatsApp ?

 

[farfromovin]

But now that Google has taken hold of RCS with Android, maybe Apple can tie in some RCS features to allow better interoperability between the two OS’s? Mainly what I want is to just text a damn original sized image.
I’m sure this won’t happen, RCS has its own issues on that side of the house and Apple doesn’t have much incentive to tweak iMessage to play nice with it.

 

[Ludatyk]

But now that Google has taken hold of RCS with Android, maybe Apple can tie in some RCS features to allow better interoperability between the two OS’s?

Umm... I think you already answered.

I’m sure this won’t happen, RCS has its own issues on that side of the house and Apple doesn’t have much incentive to tweak iMessage to play nice with it.

I think Verge has already reported that Apple hasn’t contacted Google and doesn’t appear to have interest in working with Google on integrating RCS with iOS. And at this point, why should anyone trust Google in the messaging platform? They keep abandoning projects... granted, the OEMs doesn’t help. And on top of that carriers try to disrupt Google’s efforts too.

 

[NickosD]

It's already available as rich communications. You cna enable it on Google message app and on Samsung's stock one

 

[TL24]

iMessage is HUGE for me, I just cannot leave the Apple ecosystem because of it and FaceTime. All of my family members have iPhones so it makes group messaging and group FaceTime that much easier.

Plus Apple really surprised me with the 11 Pro line, camera is worlds better than previously and night mode was just a added bonus.

 

[bransoj]

iMessage is HUGE for me, I just cannot leave the Apple ecosystem because of it and FaceTime. All of my family members have iPhones so it makes group messaging and group FaceTime that much easier.

This is where i am as well....all my family and the in laws are on iPhones and it just makes life loads easier for everything when it comes to messaging, video calls etc. Also means its easier for me to fix things for them if anything does go wrong as i can talk them through it telling them where to look etc.

 

[MasterRattler]

I'm really locked into iMessage and FaceTime as well. I use Google Duo to video message people on Android ...it's close but not the same.

 

[TL24]

This is where i am as well....all my family and the in laws are on iPhones and it just makes life loads easier for everything when it comes to messaging, video calls etc. Also means its easier for me to fix things for them if anything does go wrong as i can talk them through it telling them where to look etc.

Haha I feel you man, this is why as much as I'd like to add a Pixel 4 XL as my secondary phone I just can't bring myself to since I know it'll suck when it comes to communicating with everyone and I wouldn't be able to FT my mother who watches my kids 3 days out of the week.

 

[MisterSavage]

I'm really locked into iMessage and FaceTime as well. I use Google Duo to video message people on Android ...it's close but not the same.

I love my Apple ecosystem but Facetime is painful for group calls. It won't even work (it's audio only) on older iPads where Google Duo can handle group video calls just fine.

 

[Ludatyk]

Haha I feel you man, this is why as much as I'd like to add a Pixel 4 XL as my secondary phone I just can't bring myself to since I know it'll suck when it comes to communicating with everyone and I wouldn't be able to FT my mother who watches my kids 3 days out of the week.

Yeah, it’s pretty sweet to have Android as secondary phone... I jumbled around that before. But when I realized how much I’m invested with iMessage from group threads and the amounts of features it have. It’s pointless to have a secondary phone, regardless how intriguing and interesting Android is.

 

[trinec]

After my Switch from iPhone to Android I use "AirMessage" on Android to keep iMessage my default messenger. But there's a dealbraker - you'll need a Mac (old one is enough) to run a server extension over there (acts as an iMessage proxy) where your Android phone may connect to. But it works very smooth. iMessage was the only dealbreaker for me to not switch to Android...