Beeper Mini resurfaces after Apple block: iMessage integration now requires Apple ID

Following Apple’s recent move to block Beeper Mini’s seamless iMessage integration on Android, the app has resurfaced with a modified approach. While functionality remains largely intact, users will encounter some key adjustments. You can read about all the drama that has happened in this case here.

The big change is – previously, Beeper Mini automatically registered users for iMessage using their phone numbers. This is no longer possible. Instead, users must now log in with an existing Apple ID.

The app went all free, for now. Beeper has temporarily suspended its $2 monthly subscription fee. The company cites the ongoing legal and technical challenges for this decision.

Apple maintains that Beeper Mini’s approach to integrating iMessage raises security concerns. However, the company has not provided any further details on these concerns. As a result of Apple’s opposition, the current situation exists.

In response to Apple’s security concerns, Beeper has offered to share its entire codebase with a mutually agreed-upon third-party security research firm. This offer aims to conduct a comprehensive audit addressing Apple’s concerns.

The Beeper Mini situation has drawn attention from US politicians, with some calling for Apple to officially release an iMessage app for Android. Whether this pressure will influence Apple’s position remains unclear.

The face-off between Beeper and Apple regarding iMessage access on Android shows no signs of abating. While the current workaround offers a solution for some users, the underlying legal and technical issues remain unresolved. How this situation will ultimately unfold is yet to be determined.