Fun while it lasted – Beeper Mini’s grand iMessage experiment is officially over
Beeper Mini is officially no more. The developer stops looking for new solutions to bring iMessage to Android devices.
Instead, Beeper would much rather work on his own projects and achieve his goal of “building the best chat app in the world.” The developer further states in a recent announcement post that every time Beeper Mini goes offline or is rendered worthless by Apple's interference, its credibility takes a hit, and furthermore, it is unsustainable to continue this way. It admits that it “simply cannot win a game of cat and mouse with the largest company in the world”. It's just not worth it anymore. They prefer to move on.
The final solution
There is a final solution available, even if it is very complicated. The process needs you to first own a Mac or Linux computer (a Raspberry Pi works too) with the Beeper desktop app installed and a jailbroken iPhone.
You connect the iPhone to the computer and then run certain commands in the Terminal tool. You will need to install an app called Palera1n along the way. Finally, install Beeper Mini on the smartphone to receive an iMessage registration code for your Android device. Only then can you use the service as intended. Additionally, the iPhone, which is at the heart of it all, must always be connected to your Wi-Fi and always turned on. according to TheVerge.
That's the basic overview. We've glossed over many of the more elaborate steps involving Palera1n. Additionally, if your Mac is equipped with Apple silicon, you may need to disconnect the iPhone when the word “Checkmate!” appears, otherwise the solution will probably fail. Pieper does not explain why you need to disconnect the device. As we said before, this whole thing is complicated.
The future of Pieper Mini
If you don't have a jailbroken iPhone, you can buy one from Beeper. Prices range from $30 to $60. Or you can rent one for “a few dollars a month.” However, you do need to sign up and create a special form on the developer's website before renting or buying. Interested users will have to act quickly, as the service appears to be shutting down at the end of this year. But “if there is sufficient interest,” Beeper will extend the program into the new year.
This solution, as crazy as it may seem, is the final method. If Apple decides to block it, the developer says it won't make new ones. Again, in their eyes it's not worth it. That said, Beeper believes it has managed to create a solution that the tech giant is willing to 'tolerate', although it remains to be seen whether this is true.
Goodbye, Pieper Mini; we hardly knew you.
While we've got you, check out Ny Breaking's list of the best encrypted messaging apps for Android.