Android app that lets you send blue-bubble texts to iPhone users is back
Topics: Technology, Apple, iPhone, News
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Beeper Mini
Topics: Technology, Apple, iPhone, News
Android users rejoice! The blue message app is back.
There's no denying that there's a bit of a Apple and Android divide, with some people even claiming to have been mocked for having an Android rather than an iPhone.
And the big tell-tale sign someone has an Android? Green text messages.
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Anyone who has an iPhone (or hasn't been living under a rock) will know that iMessages between fellow Apple-users are blue, which is apparently a sought after feature.
Apple has previously been reluctant to let other phone owners have access to iMessage, something the tech powerhouse has received criticism for as iMessage has been proven to be more secure than your usual SMS text.
But, in a bid to bridge the gap, Android app Beeper Mini is now available to download on Google Play again.
The app allows Android users to send iMessages to Apple users, but was recently blocked by Apple.
Apparently the company brought in 'blocking techniques' which made it more difficult for people to access iMessage who don't have an iPhone or Apple device.
"We took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage,” Apple senior PR manager Nadine Haija said in a statement.
But Beeper Mini has since adapted to Apple's changes and updated its app.
The update comes with changes however, with Android users no longer being able to sign up with their Android phone numbers.
Instead, you now have to sign up to Beeper Mini using an iCloud email address.
On on a positive note, the app is now free - it previously cost $1.99 a month.
Other than these two things, the app is largely unchanged and it still has end-to-end encryption.
In light of Apple's recent move to make it harder for apps like Beeper Mini to exist, the firm has defended its decision and insisted that it was security purposes.
The full statement read, as per Beeper's Blog: "At Apple, we build our products and services with industry-leading privacy and security technologies designed to give users control of their data and keep personal information safe.
"We took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order 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."
Apps like Beeper Mini might not be needed come 2024 though, as Apple announced its plans last month to make its products more Rich Communication Services friendly and will introduce iMessage-style features to cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android devices.