Beeper resurrects iMessage on Android, with a catch, as a last-ditch effort

The battle for open messaging between iOS and Android took a surprising turn when Beeper, the ambitious app challenging Apple's dominance of iMessage, threw in the towel on direct integration. Following Apple's repeated shutdowns, Beeper opted for a strategic withdrawal, open-sourcing its iMessage connection software and refocusing on creating a universal chat platform. Beeper Mini, the Android app providing seamless access to iMessage, has been hailed as a game changer, allowing Android users to ditch the dreaded green bubble for the encrypted blue embrace. However, Apple's aggressive measures – first blocking phone number registration, then disabling connections altogether – proved too much for the small company.

“Every withdrawal erodes our credibility,” admitted Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Beeper. “We can’t win the game of cat and mouse with Apple.” For this reason, Beeper is I'm just giving it one more try and has chose transparency over continued struggle in the future. Their iMessage connection software is now available for free on GitHub, inviting the developer community to take the reins.

This open source approach represents a gamble. While it potentially allows others to create iMessage bridges, it also exposes Beeper's secret sauce to Apple's scrutiny. “We do not currently intend to react if this solution were to be abandoned,” Migicovsky said, implying a measured acceptance of potential future blockages.

However, this is not a white flag. Beeper is redirecting its energy toward its core vision: a unified chat platform transcending ecosystems. “We are once again focused on building the best chat app in the world,” Migicovsky said. This broader ambition aims to encompass all messaging services, providing a single interface for SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and beyond.

Meanwhile, Beeper has provided a fix that restores both iMessage functionality and phone number saving for Beeper Mini and Cloud users. However, it comes with a caveat: Mac access is now mandatory. The workaround uses recording data from an old iPhone or, preferably, a Mac computer. Beeper explains that they previously relied on their own server farm for this data, which left users vulnerable to Apple's targeting. By moving to individual device registration, they aim to achieve greater stability and resilience.