What is iMessage on Android and How to Use it?

Wants to know what is iMessage on Android? The message is a top-rated messaging service that, like WhatsApp, lets users exchange texts, photos, videos, voice notes, and more, but android users can’t get in on the fun – officially, anyway.

Why? Simply put, you can’t officially use iMessage on Android because Apple’s messaging service runs on a unique end-to-end encrypted system using its dedicated servers. And, because the messages are encrypted, the messaging network is only open to devices that know how to decrypt the messages.

It should come as no surprise that Apple, the same organization that bought out Dark Sky and shuttered the Android counterpart, doesn’t offer an iMessage app for Android users – it wants the cool impacts and features to be exclusive to those that invest in an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

That being stated, there is a method to get around the end-to-end encryption, but it’ll require a Mac and an app called iMessage. We outline the method of using iMessage on Android right here.

How to use iMessage on Android 

While you can’t just download an iMessage app on your Android and message your Apple-based friends, there are lots of workaround apps available.

However, these all need a Mac for use, as the Mac works as a middle-man between your Android and the end-to-end encrypted servers that Apple works for iMessage. That implies your messages are sent via the Android app, which then sends the message to iMessage on your Mac and sends it onto the recipient, and vice-versa. The only catch? Your Mac has to be powered on and joined to the internet to use the service.

We outline AirMessage here, as we’ve seen it to be one of the more straightforward means to access iMessage on your Android, but there are plenty of alternatives available online.

What you’ll need 

• A Mac.
• An Android smartphone is running Android 6 or later.
• The iMessage app.

Set up iMessage on your Mac

1. Download the AirMessage server for your Mac.
2. Open the iMessage app. If you move into a security problem trying to install an app from an unknown developer, head to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and hit Open Anyway.
3. Allow access prompts, and you’ll notice a welcome message appear on-screen, pointing you towards the icon in the menu bar where the app lives.
4. Hit Open Preferences and replace the default password with one of your choices.
5. Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy and preferred Accessibility from the list on the left.
6. Tick the lock icon in the bottom-left to unlock your Settings menu – you may be prompted to access the password you utilize to log into your Mac for security purposes.
7. Tick the + icon and head to Applications, and double-click AirMessage.
8. If working macOS Mojave or later, choose Full Disk Access in the left-hand menu and repeat step 7.
9. As the software functions as a server, you’ll need to disable your Mac’s sleep settings to make sure it’s always on and ready to send/receive messages. Move to System Preferences > Energy Saver and change Computer Sleep to Never.
10. Head to System Preferences > Network and get a note of your IP address – you’ll need it later.

Now that your Mac is able to pass along iMessage texts, it’s time to set up your Android smartphone.

Link your Android to the iMessage app

1. Head to the Google Play Store and install the iMessage app.
2. Open the iMessage app.
3. Insert your Mac’s local IP address and the password you created earlier. Click Connect.
4. Click Download Message History if you need to download your iMessage chats. If not, tap Skip.

If all has gone to prepare, you should see all the iMessage threads from your Mac. An inspection that you can send a message by texting an iPhone – if the balloon is blue, it’s an iMessage. You’ll get incoming message notifications and the capability to send photos and videos, just like you would on an iPhone. Still, some of the more advanced features – like voice notes and message animations – aren’t available.

Why You Can’t Normally Use iMessage on Android

You usually can’t use iMessage on Android because Apple uses a different end-to-end encryption system in iMessage that ensures the messages from the device they’re sent on, through Apple’s servers, to the device receiving them. Because the messages are encrypted, the iMessage network is only possible by devices that know how to decrypt the messages.

Apple stores iMessage and all its cool influences and features, including iMessage apps, exclusive to devices running iOS and macOS as a method to drive people to buy its products. That’s why there’s no iMessage for Android app open on the Google Play store.

That said, there is one method around Apple’s control over iMessage: a program called weMessage.

FAQs

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Can you get iMessage on an android?”]A: While iMessage can’t run on Android devices, iMessage does perform on both iOS and macOS. This implies all of your texts are sent to weMessage, then moved on to iMessage for shipping to and from macOS, iOS, and Android devices, while still utilizing Apple’s encryption.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Do Androids get iMessage reactions?”]A: Since at least the start of March, Google has been examining the feature, but the company is now rolling it out to the broader Messages userbase on Android. You can reply to a message someone sends you by long pressing on it.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: What is emphasized in iMessage?”]A: Message bubble reactions depending on whether you send a sticker or a representative either send the sticker individually (which isn’t a bad thing) or say “Emphasized [message].” And handwritten notes are sent as static images instead of writing out the letter.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: How do I see iMessage reactions?”]A: However, there is a way to see this in more detail so you can see who sent what reaction – tap on the stacked responses. After clicking on them, you will see the details at the top of the screen.[/wps_faq]

Final Words

So far, the guidance only works when your Android phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. That’s helpful, but you need your Android to use iMessage no matter where you are. To do that, you require to set up Port Forwarding.

Port Forwarding configures your house Wi-Fi network to let in connections from the outside. That’s how your Android device will join back to the weMessage app on your Mac from anywhere.