Beeper Mini is a successor to the original Beeper app -- now named Beeper Cloud -- and according to the company's Tuesday blog post, it communicates directly with Apple's iMessage network without requiring a constantly connected Mac Mini or other Apple hardware like Sunbird or Beeper's original app. By doing this, Beeper Mini does not require an Apple ID during setup, although providing one will allow for using iMessage across Beeper Mini and Apple hardware like a Mac or iPad.
Otherwise, Beeper claims to support many of iMessage's core features using its method, including end-to-end encryption, typing indicators, threaded replies and group chat support. Beeper, however, is developed independently of Apple, and is unlikely to consistently have all of the same features that Apple makes available to iMessage users on the iPhone or other Apple devices. Short Circuit Protection
There are no guarantees about the longevity of Beeper Mini's method, which a company blog post explains was reverse-engineered by jjtech, a security researcher currently in high school. When asked about the company's plans should Apple attempt to cut off this access, Migicovsky said he thinks the company is helping Apple's iMessage network with the app.
"We think that this is actually a good thing for iPhone users. Now their chats are encrypted with Android friends. Why would Apple, a company that prides themselves on privacy, want to force unencrypted messaging on their own users?" Migicovsky said.
Regardless, Apple does put a lot of work into adding new features to its Messages app with each new edition of iOS. Beeper, by virtue of being unaffiliated, will always be a step behind. Apple did not return CNET's request for comment.
Even though Apple has long used iMessage to lure new customers to buy an iPhone, Apple's recent commitment to adopting the RCS texting standard in 2024 does signal that official work is underway toward improving how texts are sent between iPhones and Android phones. While Apple has confirmed that green and blue bubbles will remain in play, it's possible that many of the primary benefits of RCS, including typing indicators and high-quality media sharing between iPhone users and Android users, are coming without having to resort to a third-party subscription.
While we haven't yet had the chance to try out Beeper Mini firsthand, the experience largely works, according to 9to5Google and The Verge. Both found that the text color changed to blue, media sharing worked and most features -- even fairly recent ones like message editing -- are included. Beeper told 9to5Google that iMessage games will likely never be supported, and other features like live location sharing or message effects may come at a later date.
Whether an iMessage workaround for Android is worth it still comes down to your tolerance for how an app jumps their way into Apple's walled garden. Since Beeper had to "reverse engineer" their way in, it's likely still easier to see whether your friend or family member is willing to try out another chat app.