In a recent announcement, Beeper provided updates on the status of its Beeper Cloud and Beeper Mini applications, revealing both successes and challenges in its mission to bring iMessage functionality to Android users. The Beeper Cloud is partially operational but currently limited to Apple ID logins, excluding the use of phone numbers. Meanwhile, Beeper Mini is facing downtime, potentially due to actions taken by Apple.
Beeper Cloud, while making strides, currently only supports Apple ID logins, leaving out phone number functionality. The company is actively working on resolving this limitation and promises a fix soon. In the interim, the Beeper team has had to deregister all phone numbers from iMessage that were initially registered via their workaround. This measure ensures that messages from iPhone users to Android will revert to being sent via SMS instead of being lost in the void.
The Beeper Mini application, touted for its unique security approach, has encountered a setback, with many users reporting an inability to send or receive messages. The disruption also extends to Apple ID sign-ins, raising concerns about the viability of the app’s integration with the Apple ecosystem. Attempting to use the app prompts an error message, indicating a server lookup timeout.
The cause of the Beeper Mini outage initially remained unclear, but Beeper CEO Eric Migicovsky later hinted at the possibility that Apple may have taken measures to impede the app’s functionality. Migicovsky questioned Apple’s stance on privacy, asking why they would hinder a service that facilitates encrypted chats between iPhones and Androids. With Beeper Mini, the app aims to bridge the gap created by Apple’s lack of iMessage support for Android users.
Beeper is extending the free trial period for Beeper Mini by an additional week, and the countdown will reset once the fix is implemented. The company acknowledges the challenges posed by Apple’s closed ecosystem and proprietary protocols, emphasizing the difficulty in establishing a stable and secure connection for iMessage on Android.
As the holidays approach, users eagerly anticipate Beeper’s resolution of the challenges, hoping that Beeper Mini can overcome the obstacles and restore its functionality. Beeper assures users that they are actively working on addressing the issues and evaluating options for the future of Beeper Mini. The incident underscores the complexities of bringing iMessage to Android in the face of Apple’s closed ecosystem.