In a surprising turn of events, Beeper Mini, the Android app promising iMessage functionality for non-Apple devices, has encountered a sudden outage, with Apple citing security concerns as the reason behind the disruption. The confirmation of the issue came from Beeper in a post on X, attributing the problem to actions taken by Apple
On Friday, Beeper Mini on Android abruptly ceased operations, leaving users unable to send iMessages. Apple has now confirmed its involvement, asserting that it intervened to safeguard users from potential security risks posed by Beeper Mini’s integration with iMessage.
Beeper Mini, developed by the startup Beeper, gained attention for its innovative approach to enabling Android users to experience the coveted blue bubble texts exclusive to iMessage. However, Apple’s swift action has resulted in error messages for Beeper Mini users, with the statement from Apple indicating concerns about the app’s techniques and their impact on user privacy and security.
Beeper, originally working on a multi-platform messaging aggregator, recently launched Beeper Mini as a direct Android app connecting to Apple’s iMessage service. This marked a departure from the previous Beeper app, now called Beeper Cloud, which routed iMessages through a Mac. The new approach aimed to provide Android users with iMessage capabilities without the need for an intermediary.
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Apple response on Beeper Mini
According to Apple, Beeper Mini’s techniques posed significant risks, including the potential exposure of metadata and the facilitation of unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks. The company emphasized its commitment to user privacy and security, citing ongoing efforts to make updates that protect users.
Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Beeper, expressed dissatisfaction with Apple’s actions. Migicovsky argued that Beeper Mini not only served Android users but also increased security for iPhone users by encrypting messages. He questioned Apple’s decision to hinder a service that enabled encrypted chats between iPhones and Android users.
Current Status Beeper Mini:
As of Saturday morning, Beeper Cloud has been re-enabled, while Beeper Mini remains inaccessible. Beeper assured users that work is underway to address the issue, extending the free trial for affected users and taking steps to deregister Android phone numbers.
