Beeper, the messaging platform striving to bring Apple’s iMessage to Android devices, has reportedly issued its last update for the service. Despite persistent attempts to enable iMessage functionality on Android, Beeper expressed the view that sustaining these efforts is “unsustainable.” Following the release of what it deemed a stable solution for iMessages on Android for Beeper Mini and Cloud users, the company outlined its future plans.
In a blog post published late Thursday, Beeper stated that if Apple were to thwart its latest iMessage fix, it did not intend to revive its endeavors. The company acknowledged the challenges, noting that each disruption to Beeper Mini’s reliability adversely impacted its credibility. Beeper emphasized the difficulty of engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with the tech giant, stating, “As much as we want to fight for what we believe is a fantastic product that really should exist, the truth is that we can’t win a cat-and-mouse game with the largest company on earth.”
Beeper indicated that it anticipated Apple’s acceptance of its latest software release and announced that the iMessage connection software behind Beeper Mini and Beeper Cloud would be open source for anyone interested in utilizing or continuing its development. The company now shifts its focus to the long-term goal of building “the best chat app on Earth.”
In response to Apple’s claims regarding security and privacy risks posed by Beeper’s app, the blog post included a detailed rebuttal. Beeper asserted that Beeper Mini was not a malicious app and maintained its security, contrary to assertions made by Apple.
This final update from Beeper follows the recent reinstatement of phone number registration on the Beeper Mini app, enabling Android phone numbers to appear in blue on iMessage. However, Beeper users must still access an old jailbroken iPhone, a Mac computer, or find a friend with a Mac to make this functionality work.
While Beeper has explored various fixes and workarounds for iMessage on Android, Apple has consistently blocked the service citing privacy and security concerns. Apple stated that it took measures to block Beeper Mini’s iMessage access as it exploited “fake credentials,” emphasizing the steps taken to safeguard user security and privacy.