Key findings
- Access iMessage group chats on a Mac computer using apps in the Google Play Store
- Use AirMessage, Blue Bubbles or join the Sunbird waitlist to integrate iMessage into Android.
- Limited options for Android users to use iMessage; Beeper was a potential solution that failed.
I must admit that I am an Android user and so am not always aware of family or friends’ group chats on iMessage. I would love to be back in the loop and I thought that would be possible with a few apps and clicks, but it seems a bit more complicated. So if you have access to a Mac computer, this is quite easy for you as you can get iMessage on your Android device with a few apps from the Google Play Store that use a clever workaround to get the job done. If not, you might run into the same difficulties I had when trying to get back into those iMessage group chats.
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Air message
Get ready to finally join these iMessage group chats
One of the most popular apps for retrieving iMesssage on Android is AirMessage, which connects to a Mac to facilitate the use of Apple’s messaging protocol.
1: Download and install AirMessage Server on your Mac
2: Download the app on both your Android phone and your Mac
3: Open & SignIn with either Google or Apple accounts
4: Enable all required permissions (Messaging) on Mac and Android
5: To make sure everything works, make sure turn on power saving mode on your Mac
6: In the app, enter the IP address and port number under Settings
As you can see, it’s pretty complex, but if you absolutely must have iMessage on your Android phone, this is a solid workaround.
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Blue Bubbles
Different app, same process
This app also uses virtually the same process and also requires a connection to a Mac computer.
1: Download and install the app on both your MacBook and your Android device
2: Follow the detailed instructions, enter your Apple ID to access iMessages
3: Connect Android device to MacBook with IPaddress and Harbornumber
4: Follow the instructions until the two devices tied together
After all this effort, installing and connecting the two devices, you should have access to iMessages on your Android device. It really tries to bridge the gap between Android and Apple users.
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Sunbird
This new app could change everything in the future
While this app hasn’t fully launched yet, it’s set to revolutionize the way we communicate and collaborate by bringing platforms together once it’s released. Screenshots show that Sunbird offers users the familiar iMessage setup – the same intuitive blue bubbles you know and love. However, this app may experience issues with Apple, similar to another app that used to offer iMessage support.
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beeper
This app used to work with iMessage, but lost support after a dispute with Apple
Beeper was one of the first apps to enable seamless cross-platform messaging. It originally included iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Signal, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Chat. However, shortly after launch, problems began between Apple and Beeper, and in the new year of 2024, Beeper could no longer support iMessage for non-iPhone users.
This app could have been absolutely essential for professionals, influencers, and freelancers if it had successfully integrated all social platforms, messaging services, and iMessage. But unfortunately, without iMessage support, this app will no longer help you solve your blue bubble group chat problems.
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Unfortunately, there aren’t many good apps or platforms that can seamlessly connect an Android device to iMessage. I even checked Reddit and finding an Android device that can receive and send iMessages is like looking for the Loch Ness monster or a unicorn – imaginary and something that just doesn’t happen. Is all this effort really worth it for iMessage? There are so many other messaging apps out there that it seems less important when there are so many other viable alternatives.
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