How to use iMessage on Android

If you are an iPhone or Mac user, you will have surely used the iMessage messaging app. This app, as the name suggests, is exclusive to Apple’s devices. While Android users might feel left out, what if we tell you that there’s actually a way to use iMessage on Android? Read on to find out.

What is iMessage?

iMessage is a free messaging application developed by Apple in 2011. It is available on Apple devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. You can send messages with this app only with an internet connection.

iMessage has built-in end-to-end encryption to keep your messages secure. And the best part of this application is that apart from the text messages, it lets you send pictures, avatars, songs, and more.

How can Android users use iMessage?

Android users cannot use iMessage directly on their phones as it doesn’t support it. However, there are two ways to make it work. Needless to say, this requires some third-party app help, so proceed with caution. 

Using AirMessage on Android

You need to configure a Mac to start using iMessage with the third-party application AirMessage. 

Step 1: Download and install AirMessage on your Mac.

Step 2: Open the app and click on Connect an Account when a tab pops up. After clicking, log in with your Google account. 

Step 3: You also need to go to the System Preferences and choose Security and Privacy.

Step 4: Here, go to the Privacy tab and select Automation from the options on the left. Once done, hit the Lock icon from the bottom left corner.

Step 5: Enter your password and select the Messages checkbox under AirMessage. Click on the Lock icon again to apply changes.

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Step 6: The next thing you need to do is enable Full Disk Access. For this, go to Privacy and Security again and select Full Disk Access from the left bar.

Step 7: Again, click on the Lock option to save the changes.

Step 8: After setting up your Mac, you must set up your Android phone. So, download and install the AirMessage app on your smartphone.

Step 9: Log in with the same Google account by clicking the (Connect your account option) and tap the chat icon to get started.

Step 10: Enter the phone numbers of the people with whom you want to connect.

Step 11: When prompted, click Allow to confirm integrating your Android phone with your Mac, which will complete your job. 

Using Beeper on Android

The Beeper app is invite-only and needs a referral code to download. Otherwise, you can sign up for the waitlist to get started. You’ll first need the desktop version before getting the mobile app.

Step 1: Download the Beeper application on your Mac or PC. Enter the email and other details that you entered for the waitlist.

Step 2: Verify your details as asked while going through the on-screen instructions.

Step 3: Since this application offers other messaging apps, too, select iMessage from the Main Chat App screen.

Step 4: From the Chat Networks, select iMessage specifically and click on Start.

Step 5: Enter your Apple ID credentials and click on Continue.

Step 6: Later on, it will ask you for a two-factor authentication code if you have (2FA) turned on. Once entered, click on Continue.

Step 7: For receiving messages on your Mac, ensure that text message forwarding is enabled in your iPhone’s settings so that it forwards the messages on the computer on which you downloaded the Beeper application.

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Step 8: In the Chat Networks of the Beeper app, click Continue. Turn on the text message forwarding toggle in the Beeper app.

Step 9: On your Android device, download and install Beeper from the Google Play Store.

Step 10: Enter your account email, which will prompt you to enter a verification code.

Step 11: Enter the code and verify the app’s desktop version to view your chats. Once verified, you will receive messages on your Android device.

So, these are the two ways through which you can get the iMessage app on your Android device easily.