Apple shuts down Beeper Mini app for Android, citing security concerns

Rajesh — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 05:30:45 +0000

Apple has taken swift action to shut down the Beeper Mini app — a service that allowed Android users to access and send iMessage. This happened just a few days after Beeper launched the app on December 5th.

Beeper Mini: Apple Shuts Down App Bringing iMessage to Android

Beeper’s original app, now known as Beeper Cloud, worked by routing iMessage messages through a remote Mac computer. However, Beeper Mini took a different approach by connecting directly to Apple’s servers, bypassing Beeper’s own servers altogether.

This process even eliminated the need for Apple ID logins in the app, offering a seamless iMessage experience for Android users. Unsurprisingly, Apple wasn’t thrilled. Citing potential security risks like metadata exposure and spam, they shut down Beeper Mini.

Apple confirmed the shutdown in a statement saying, “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.”

Beeper, on the other hand, maintains that Beeper Mini is secure and offers better privacy than unencrypted SMS. The company has even offered to share its entire source code with a third party for independent security evaluation.

While Beeper Cloud remains operational, Beeper Mini is currently down. Beeper has deregistered all Android phone numbers on behalf of its users and has extended the free trial period by another week to compensate for the downtime.

Apple has also announced plans to introduce further security measures in the upcoming iOS 17.2 update, including iMessage Contact Key Verification.

iPhones are now compatible with Google RCS Messages via Beeper App

Simranpal Singh — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:29:05 +0000

It took a couple of years for a third-party developer to bring Google RCS Messages support to Apple iPhone. After several years of struggle with Apple, the RCS or Rich Communication Services has finally made it to the iPhone. It is evolved version of the SMS services which was limited to text. There are several improvements over the traditional Text Message services.

Must See: Google enables RCS for all Messages users; chats are now end-to-end encrypted

What is RCS Messaging?

The RCS Messaging offers better data security with features like end-to-end encryption. The usability has improved with the read receipts, typing indicators, and support for Emoji that untapped a new way to express emotions. The new Messaging protocol is widely available across every Android device, but the Cupertino giant is reluctant on adopting it officially.

Even Google asked Apple about it on Social Media a couple of times, but all things went in vain. Finally, these efforts seem paid with unofficial support for RCS Messages via Beeper App.

iPhone RCS Messaging: Features Working and Not Working

The Beeper app is currently in beta, but most of the RCS functionality is working flawlessly. Some additional feedback feature such as showing tap backs is working on iPhone. However, being in the beta means there are going to be some bugs with some features. So, the message history has some bugs, the displayed avatar of users doesn’t work yet, there are some issues with read receipts, and the typing indicators need some workout. The developers are working on these features, and will soon be available once the stable app arrives.

The Beeper Desktop 3.70.17 is currently available for the users, but it may take some time before you through the waitlist.

Steps to get RCS Support on iPhone

Note: The process requires an Android phone with an active mobile number to enable RCS on Beeper.

Sign up for the waitlist by heading to the official website. The user needs to Enter Name, Email ID and preferred Chat network, and some other details.
Once the wait is over, the user will receive the Beeper download link for the desktop app.
Install the App and follow the on-screen instruction.
Select Google Messages as a chat network from the list.
After all the setup, the user can connect to Android connects and start a chat.

Beeper development is quite active, as it is receiving new features with updates. However, it is a workaround to get RCS Message on iPhone, not the official support from Apple.

(via)