IMessage

iMessage was announced by Scott Forstall at the WWDC 2011 keynote on June 6, 2011. A version of the Messages app for iOS with support for iMessage was included in the iOS 5 update on October 12, 2011. On February 16, 2012, Apple announced that a new Messages app replacing iChat would be part of OS X Mountain Lion. Mountain Lion was released on July 25, 2012.

On October 23, 2012, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple device users have sent 300 billion messages using iMessage and that Apple delivers an average of 28,000 messages per second.{{cite web|url=http://bgr.com/2012/10/23/apple-ipad-mini-event/|title=Apple Kicks Off iPad Mini Event: 3 Million New iPods Sold, iOS 6 Now On 200 Million Devices|first=Zach|last=Epstein|publisher=Boy Genius Report|date=October 23, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2013|archive-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120090340/http://bgr.com/2012/10/23/apple-ipad-mini-event/|url-status=live}} In February 2016, Eddy Cue announced that the number of iMessages sent per second had grown to 200,000.{{cite news|last1=Leswing|first1=Kif|title=Apple says people send as many as 200,000 iMessages per second|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/eddy-cue-200k-imessages-per-second-2016-2|access-date=December 20, 2016|work=Business Insider|date=February 12, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716161545/https://www.businessinsider.com/eddy-cue-200k-imessages-per-second-2016-2|url-status=live}}

In May 2014, a lawsuit was filed against Apple over an issue where, if a user switched from an Apple device to a non-Apple device, messages being delivered to them through iMessage would not reach their destination.{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Edwards |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-lawsuit-iphones-dont-deliver-texts-to-android-2014-5 |title=Apple Lawsuit iPhones Don't Deliver Texts To Android |work=Business Insider |date=May 16, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614125746/http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-lawsuit-iphones-dont-deliver-texts-to-android-2014-5 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-16/apple-sued-over-vanishing-texts-after-iphones-swapped-out-1-.html|title=Apple Sued Over Vanishing Texts After IPhones Swapped Out|first1=Joel|last1=Rosenblatt|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=May 16, 2014|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116184225/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-16/apple-sued-over-vanishing-texts-after-iphones-swapped-out-1-.html|url-status=live}} In November 2014 Apple addressed this problem by providing instructions and an online tool to deregister iMessage.{{cite web |url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/TS5185 |title=If you can't receive text messages from an iPhone - Apple Support |publisher=Support.apple.com |date=September 5, 2017 |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202193422/http://support.apple.com/en-us/TS5185 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage |title=Deregister and Turn Off iMessage - Apple Support |publisher=Selfsolve.apple.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207055620/https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage |url-status=live }} A federal court dismissed the suit in Apple's favor.{{cite news|last1=Slotnick|first1=Stacy|title=Apple Avoids Class Action Lawsuit Over iMessages|url=http://urbangeekz.com/2015/08/apple-avoids-class-action-lawsuit-over-imessages/|access-date=December 20, 2016|work=UrbanGeekz|date=August 12, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215001905/https://urbangeekz.com/2015/08/apple-avoids-class-action-lawsuit-over-imessages/|url-status=live}}

On March 21, 2016, a group of researchers from Johns Hopkins University published a report in which they demonstrated that an attacker in possession of iMessage ciphertexts could potentially decrypt photos and videos that had been sent via the service. The researchers published their findings after the vulnerability had been patched by Apple.{{harvnb|Garman|Green|Kaptchuk|Miers|2016}}{{cite news|last1=Nakashima|first1=Ellen|title=Johns Hopkins researchers poke a hole in Apple's encryption|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/johns-hopkins-researchers-discovered-encryption-flaw-in-apples-imessage/2016/03/20/a323f9a0-eca7-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Nash Holdings LLC|access-date=March 21, 2016|date=March 21, 2016|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321143709/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/johns-hopkins-researchers-discovered-encryption-flaw-in-apples-imessage/2016/03/20/a323f9a0-eca7-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html|url-status=live}}

On June 13, 2016, Apple announced the addition of Apps to iMessage service, accessible via the Messages apps. Apps can create and share content, add stickers, make payments, and more within iMessage conversations without having to switch to standalone apps. One could develop standalone iMessage apps or an extension to existing iOS apps. Publishers can also create standalone stickers apps without writing any code.{{cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/imessage/|title=iMessage - Apple Developer|website=developer.apple.com|access-date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007120914/https://developer.apple.com/imessage/|url-status=live}} According to Sensor Tower, a data company that provides "App Store Optimization (ASO)", as of March 2017 the iMessage App Store features nearly 5,000 Message-enabled apps.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/16/six-months-in-imessage-app-store-growth-slows-as-developers-lose-interest/|title=Six months in, iMessage App Store growth slows as developers lose interest|last=Perez|first=Sarah|website=TechCrunch|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=March 17, 2017|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716161455/https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/16/six-months-in-imessage-app-store-growth-slows-as-developers-lose-interest/|url-status=live}}

At the WWDC 2020 keynote on June 22, 2020, Apple previewed the next version of its macOS operating system, planned for release in late 2020. Big Sur shipped with a redesigned version of Messages, with features previously available only on iOS devices, such as message effects, memoji, stickers and location sharing.

On February 21, 2024, Apple announced that they were going to upgrade the iMessage protocol with a new post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) protocol called "PQ3."{{cite web

| url = https://security.apple.com/blog/imessage-pq3

| title = iMessage with PQ3: The new state of the art in quantum-secure messaging at scale

| author = Apple Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR)

| date = February 21, 2024

| website = Apple Security Research

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| publisher = Apple Inc.

| quote = With compromise-resilient encryption and extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 is the first messaging protocol to reach what we call Level 3 security — providing protocol protections that surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps.

| archive-date = July 16, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240716161455/https://security.apple.com/blog/imessage-pq3

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/21/apple-announces-imessage-security-upgrade/

| title = Apple Announces 'Groundbreaking' New Security Protocol for iMessage

| first = Joe

| last = Rossignoi

| date = February 21, 2024

| website = MacRumors

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-date = February 23, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240223060059/https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/21/apple-announces-imessage-security-upgrade/

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/21/imessage-quantum-security-ios-17-4/

| title = Apple launching quantum computer protection for iMessage with iOS 17.4, here's what that means

| first = Michael

| last = Potuck

| date = February 21, 2024

| website = 9to5Mac

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-date = July 16, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162458/https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/21/imessage-quantum-security-ios-17-4/

| url-status = live

}}

Apple stated that, although quantum computers don't exist yet, they wanted to mitigate risks from future quantum computers as well as so-called "Harvest now, decrypt later" attack scenarios. Apple stated that they believe their PQ3 implementation provides protections that "surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps."

Furthermore, because, according to Apple, there is no standard on security properties for messaging security levels that allow for easy comparison, Apple decided to create their own definitions consisting of 4 levels between 0 and 3. On this scale, Apple considers its PQ3 protocol to reach what Apple calls "Level 3 security". The main differentiator of PQ3, compared to other PQC protocols, is that PQ3 utilizes ongoing keying. Apple rolled out PQ3 with the public release of iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4 and watchOS 10.4, stating that “iMessage conversations between devices that support PQ3 are automatically ramping up to the post-quantum encryption protocol” and that PQ3 "will fully replace the existing protocol within all supported conversations [in 2024]."

{{Main article|Digital Markets Act}}

In 2022, iMessage was included on a list of potential "gatekeeper services" to be regulated by new legislation in the European Union.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-10 |title=Apple Set to Challenge Latest EU Crackdown on Big Tech Dominance |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-10/apple-to-appeal-digital-markets-act-over-app-store-at-eu-court |access-date=2023-12-08 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162458/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-10/apple-to-appeal-digital-markets-act-over-app-store-at-eu-court |url-status=live }} This would have required iMessage to be interoperable with other messaging services that either serve a certain number of users or generates significant revenue.{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Apple to appeal EU ruling that forces company to make changes to the 'gatekeeper' App Store and iMessage |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/10/appeal-appeal-eu-gatekeeper-app-store/ |website=9to5Mac |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203041338/https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/10/appeal-appeal-eu-gatekeeper-app-store/ |url-status=live }} In September 2023, the Financial Times reported based on two sources with direct knowledge on the matter, that Apple appealed the inclusion of iMessage on the grounds that the iMessage userbase in Europe was not large enough to warrant labeling iMessage as a gatekeeper service.{{cite web

| url = https://www.ft.com/content/137d655b-c264-460f-bbe8-a269f0a3d8ac

| title = Apple and Microsoft fight Brussels over 'gatekeeper' label for iMessage and Bing

| first = Javier

| last = Espinoza

| date = September 4, 2023

| website = Financial Times

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20230917013341/https://www.ft.com/content/137d655b-c264-460f-bbe8-a269f0a3d8ac#selection-1637.0-1637.80

| archive-date = 2023-09-17

}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-10 |title=Apple Will Reportedly Appeal EU's Gatekeeping Claims |url=https://gizmodo.com/apple-will-reportedly-appeal-eus-gatekeeping-claims-1851011406 |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208200140/https://gizmodo.com/apple-will-reportedly-appeal-eus-gatekeeping-claims-1851011406 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=2023-09-10 |title=Report: Apple claims iMessage not big enough to fall under purview of EU 'gatekeeper' competition law |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/04/imessage-app-store-gatekeeper-not-big-enough/#:~:text=Report%3A%20Apple%20claims%20iMessage%20not,%27gatekeeper%27%20competition%20law%20%2D%209to5Mac |website=9to5Mac |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208200140/https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/04/imessage-app-store-gatekeeper-not-big-enough/#:~:text=Report%3A%20Apple%20claims%20iMessage%20not,%27gatekeeper%27%20competition%20law%20%2D%209to5Mac |url-status=live }} In December 2023, several media outlets reported that the appeal was successful.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Chris |date=2023-12-07 |title=Surprise: There's no such thing as blue vs. green bubbles in Europe |url=https://bgr.com/tech/imessage-wont-be-a-gatekeeper-service-heres-why-im-not-surprised/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=BGR |language=en-US}} Bloomberg speculated that this "tentative" decision was reached because while iMessage's userbase is large enough to qualify, the service is not popular enough with businesses, specifically.{{Cite news |date=2023-12-06 |title=Apple Set to Avoid EU Crackdown Over iMessage Service |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-06/apple-imessage-set-to-avoid-eu-s-digital-dominance-crackdown |access-date=2023-12-12 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207171253/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-06/apple-imessage-set-to-avoid-eu-s-digital-dominance-crackdown |url-status=live }}

This rumored tentative decision was later formalized on February 13, 2024, when the European Commission announced that they had decided that, together with Bing, Edge and Microsoft Advertising, iMessage does not qualify as gatekeeper services.{{cite web

| url = https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-closes-market-investigations-microsofts-and-apples-services-under-digital-markets-act-2024-02-13_en

| title = Commission closes market investigations on Microsoft's and Apple's services under the Digital Markets Act

| author = Directorate-General for Competition, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology

| date = February 13, 2024

| publisher = European Commission

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| quote = Following a thorough assessment of all arguments, taking into account input by relevant stakeholders, and after hearing the Digital Markets Advisory Committee, the Commission found that iMessage, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising do not qualify as gatekeeper services.

| archive-date = February 24, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240224201710/https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-closes-market-investigations-microsofts-and-apples-services-under-digital-markets-act-2024-02-13_en

| url-status = live

}} The European Commission did not go into detail on their decision beyond stating that it was the result of "a thorough assessment of all arguments, taking into account input by relevant stakeholders, and after hearing the Digital Markets Advisory Committee." Despite the lack of detail provided by the European Commission on their decision, multiple outlets speculated that the decision was indeed based on iMessage not meeting the threshold necessary to be classified as a gatekeeper service as was reported in the prior year.{{cite web

| url = https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-says-several-apple-microsoft-platforms-dont-qualify-gatekeepers-2024-02-13/

| title = Apple, Microsoft win exemptions for iMessage, Bing from EU rules

| first1 = Foo Yun

| last1 = Chee

| first2 = Bart H.

| last2 = Meijer

| first3 = Martin

| last3 = Coulter

| date = February 13, 2024

| website = Reuters

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-date = February 13, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240213151824/https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-says-several-apple-microsoft-platforms-dont-qualify-gatekeepers-2024-02-13/

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-13/apple-imessage-microsoft-bing-dodge-eu-s-big-tech-crackdown | title = Apple iMessage, Microsoft Bing Dodge EU's Big Tech Crackdown

| first1 = Samuel

| last1 = Stolton

| date = February 13, 2024

| website = Bloomberg News

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20240213142708/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-13/apple-imessage-microsoft-bing-dodge-eu-s-big-tech-crackdown

| archive-date = 2024-02-13

}}{{cite web

| url = https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/13/imessage-antitrust-threat-removed

| title = iMessage antitrust threat removed, as EU says it's not a dominant service

| first1 = Ben

| last1 = Lovejoy

| date = February 13, 2024

| website = 9to5Mac

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-date = February 13, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240213225132/https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/13/imessage-antitrust-threat-removed/

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/13/imessage-avoids-eu-regulation

| title = Apple's iMessage Avoids EU's Digital Markets Act Regulation

| first1 = Tim

| last1 = Hardwick

| date = February 13, 2024

| website = MacRumors

| access-date = 2024-02-22

| archive-date = February 23, 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240223051329/https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/13/imessage-avoids-eu-regulation/

| url-status = live

}}

This ultimately meant that Apple didn't have to make iMessage interoperable with other messaging services, nor did Apple have to conform to the other DMA regulations insofar it pertained to iMessage.

iMessage allows users to send texts, documents, photos, videos, contact information, and group messages over the Internet to other iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or visionOS users. iMessage is an alternative to SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging for most users with devices running iOS 5 or later. The "Send as SMS" setting under Messages will cause the message to be sent via SMS if the sender does not have an active Internet connection. If the receiver has no Internet connection, the message should be stored on a server until a connection is restored.

iMessage is accessible through the Messages app on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch running iOS 5 or later, a Mac running OS X Mountain Lion or later or an Apple Vision Pro running any version of visionOS. Owners of these devices can register one or more email addresses with Apple. Additionally, iPhone owners can register their phone numbers with Apple, provided their carrier is supported. When a message is sent to a mobile number, Messages will check with Apple if the mobile number is set up for iMessage. If it is not, the message will seamlessly transition from iMessage to SMS.{{cite web |first=MG |last=Siegler |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/06/apple-imessages/ |title=Apple Has Finally Stuck A Dagger Into SMS. I Love It. |publisher=TechCrunch |date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126013910/https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/06/apple-imessages/ |url-status=live }}

In Messages, the user's sent communication is aligned to the right, with replies from other people on the left. A user can see if the other iMessage user is typing a message. A pale gray ellipsis appears in the text bubble of the other user when a reply is started. It is also possible to start a conversation on one iOS device and continue it on another. On iPhones, green buttons and text bubbles indicate SMS-based communication; on all iOS devices, blue buttons and text bubbles indicate iMessage communication.

All iMessages are encrypted and can be tracked using delivery receipts.{{cite press release |publisher=Apple Inc. |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/06/06New-Version-of-iOS-Includes-Notification-Center-iMessage-Newsstand-Twitter-Integration-Among-200-New-Features/ |title=New Version of iOS Includes Notification Center, iMessage, Newsstand, Twitter Integration Among 200 New Features |date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703101258/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/06/06New-Version-of-iOS-Includes-Notification-Center-iMessage-Newsstand-Twitter-Integration-Among-200-New-Features/ |url-status=live }} If the recipient enables Read Receipts, the sender will be able to see when the recipient has read the message. iMessage also allows users to set up chats with more than two people—a "group chat".

With the launch of iOS 10, users can send messages accompanied by a range of "bubble" or "screen" effects.{{cite web|url=https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-add-screen-effects-to-imessages-in-ios-10/|title=How to Send iMessage with Screen Effect on iPhone and iPad|last=Padhiyar|first=Jignesh|date=3 January 2019|website=iGeekBlog|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809002503/https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-use-bubble-effects-screen-effects-imessage/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://itechcliq.com/how-to-use-and-send-imessage-with-effects/|title=How to use and send iMessage with Effects (Bubble and Screen)|last=Navodiya|first=Nurdin|date=8 August 2019|website=iTechCliq|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130041501/https://itechcliq.com/how-to-use-and-send-imessage-with-effects/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://itechperry.com/imessage-effects/|title=How to use Bubble and Screen Effects with iMessage in iOS 16.3|last=Gupta|first=Mukesh|date=3 April 2023|website=iTechPerry|access-date=April 3, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331114907/https://itechperry.com/imessage-effects/|url-status=live}} By holding down the send button with force, the range of effects is surfaced for users to select from.

With the launches of iOS 14 and macOS 11 Big Sur, users gain a myriad of features such as the ability to pin individual conversations, mention other users, set an image for group conversations, and send inline replies. Additionally, more of the features from the Messages app on iOS and iPadOS were ported over to their macOS counterpart.{{cite web|title=macOS Big Sur Preview - Features|url=https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur-preview/features/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=Apple|language=en-US|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622203758/https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur-preview/features/|url-status=live}}

With the launch of iOS 15.2, Apple added automated blurring of photos containing explicit images that are sent to underage users. The feature relies on scanning the photos on the device and can optionally be set to alert the underage user's parents if explicit material is received. The feature was originally launched only for the US with a later expansion to the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The feature remains regionally restricted for the rest of the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/13/22828226/apple-ios-15-2-iphone-update-digital-legacy-music-macro-app-privacy|title=Apple releases iOS 15.2 with App Privacy Report, Digital Legacy, and more|last=Clark|first=Mitchell|date=13 December 2021|website=TheVerge|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421140431/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/13/22828226/apple-ios-15-2-iphone-update-digital-legacy-music-macro-app-privacy|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/21/23035183/ios-messages-communication-safety-nudity-sexually-explicit-message-blurring|title=Apple's nudity-blurring Messages feature gets international release|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=21 April 2022|website=The Verge|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421140431/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/21/23035183/ios-messages-communication-safety-nudity-sexually-explicit-message-blurring|url-status=live}}

With the launch of iOS 16, Apple added the ability for users to edit and unsend sent iMessages. Users can unsend an iMessage for up to 2 minutes after it being sent, and can edit it for up to 15 minutes. Users also have the ability to recover deleted messages for up to 30 days.{{Cite web |title=iOS 16 |url=https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-16/ |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Apple |language=en-US |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912165110/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-16/ |url-status=live }}

With the launch of IOS 17, Apple added the safety feature "Check in" that shares the estimated time of arrival with a contact when traveling. Users also have the ability to send Live Stickers and Emoji Stickers, .{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=iOS 17 Messages App Features: Check In, Stickers, and More |url=https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-17-messages/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}

With the launch of IOS 18, Apple added the ability for users to send messages with text formatting (bold, italics, underline and strike-through formatting) ,Animated Effects and Tapbacks with any Emoji or Sticker. Users can now schedule messages. Additionally sending messages via satellite when there is no cellular coverage is now available in supported regions on supported iPhones.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-18 |title=Everything New in the iOS 18 Messages App |url=https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-messages/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=About Messages via satellite on your iPhone |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120930 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Apple Support |language=en}}

The iMessage protocol is based on the Apple Push Notification service (APNs)—a proprietary, binary protocol.{{cite web |last1=Kumparak |first1=Greg |date=February 27, 2014 |title=Apple Explains Exactly How Secure iMessage Really Is |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/27/apple-explains-exactly-how-secure-imessage-really-is/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=October 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030084841/https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/27/apple-explains-exactly-how-secure-imessage-really-is/ |url-status=live }} It sets up a Keep-Alive connection with the Apple servers. Every connection has its own unique code, which acts as an identifier for the route that should be used to send a message to a specific device. The connection is encrypted with TLS using a client-side certificate, that is requested by the device on the activation of iMessage.

Each message recipient's public keys are retrieved from Apple Identity Service (IDS), "Apple's directory of iMessage public keys, Apple Push Notification service (APNs) addresses, and phone numbers and email addresses that are used to look up the keys and device addresses."{{cite web |access-date=September 8, 2022 |title=Apple Identity Service (IDS) |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/security/aside/secf752dc2e2/1/web/1 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908165416/https://support.apple.com/guide/security/aside/secf752dc2e2/1/web/1 |url-status=live }} Each message is individually encrypted for each recipient device in a conversation. Message attachments are encrypted and uploaded to iCloud to be retrieved separately by the recipient. Messages are stored on Apple servers for up to 30 days.{{cite web |date=May 13, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |title=How iMessage sends and receives messages securely |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/security/how-imessage-sends-and-receives-messages-sec70e68c949/web |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908170921/https://support.apple.com/guide/security/how-imessage-sends-and-receives-messages-sec70e68c949/web |url-status=live }}

iMessage is only officially available on Apple operating systems, such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and visionOS. Unlike some other messaging apps, it does not support Android or Microsoft Windows, and does not have any web access interface. There are independent apps that attempt to bring iMessage to other platforms.

In September, 2013 an independent app called iMessage Chat was released on Google Play by the developer Daniel Zweigart (Huluwa). It connected to iMessage servers impersonating a Mac mini. The app required users to provide their Apple IDs and passwords, routing messages through a Chinese server. The app elicited security and privacy concerns. iMessage Chat was later removed from the Play Store.{{Cite news |last=Beasley |first=Mike |date=2013-09-24 |title=iMessage makes the jump to Android in the form of a shady unofficial app (updated: removed) |url=https://9to5mac.com/2013/09/23/imessage-makes-the-jump-to-android-in-the-form-of-an-unofficial-app/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230620184011/https://9to5mac.com/2013/09/23/imessage-makes-the-jump-to-android-in-the-form-of-an-unofficial-app/ |archive-date=2023-06-20 |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Mahesh |date=2013-09-24 |title=Security Concerns Abound Over Unofficial Android iMessage App That Uses Chinese Servers To Process Data |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/09/24/malware-threat-in-unofficial-android-imessage-app-processing-data-on-chinese-servers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328205728/https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/28/startups-weekly-mercury-more-than-doubled-its-valuation-and-other-news/?sidebar=a |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

On May 3, 2016, an independent open-source project named "PieMessage" was announced by app developer Eric Chee,{{cite web |url=https://9to5mac.com/2016/05/03/piemessage-imessage-open-source-android-app/ |title=PieMessage open-source project brings iMessage to Android using your Mac as a server |publisher=9to5Mac |date=May 3, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617192542/https://9to5mac.com/2016/05/03/piemessage-imessage-open-source-android-app/ |url-status=live }} consisting of code for OS X that communicates with iMessage and connects to an Android client, allowing the Android client to send and receive messages. PieMessage has since been abandoned and has not received a update since 2016 because the developer states "I've moved onto other projects and haven't had time to finish this" on the projects Github page.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/5/4/11591008/piemessage-imessage-android|title=PieMessage project brings iMessage to Android|first=Paul|last=Miller|date=May 4, 2016|publisher=The Verge|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162459/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/5/4/11591008/piemessage-imessage-android|url-status=live}}{{GitHub|bboyairwreck/PieMessage}}{{Cite web |title=Commits · bboyairwreck/PieMessage |url=https://github.com/bboyairwreck/PieMessage/commits/master/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=GitHub |language=en}}

On December 10, 2017, an independent app called weMessage, developed by Roman Scott was announced with a YouTube video, {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmp1SRhnPos |title=weMessage - iMessage For Android |date=2017-12-10 |last=Roman Scott |access-date=2025-03-25 |via=YouTube}} the app was released for Android and required a Mac. The app utilizes a weServer app on a Mac, which takes iMessages that are delivered to a Mac and forwards them to an Android smartphone or tablet using accessibility features on the Mac, that interact with the Messages app for the Mac. The app is no longer available on Google Play and has received no updates since October 16, 2019. {{Cite web |date=2017-12-12 |title=Android App 'weMessage' Lets You Get iMessages on Your Android Smartphone With a Mac |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/12/imessages-on-android-using-mac/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325183806/https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/12/imessages-on-android-using-mac/ |archive-date=March 25, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=weMessage - Google Play のアプリ |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=scott.wemessage |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231005130350/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=scott.wemessage |archive-date=2023-10-05 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=play.google.com |language=ja}}

On February 23, 2019, an independent open-source app called "AirMessage" was announced by app developer Cole Feuer,{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Zach |date=2019-02-26 |title=It's finally here: New free app lets you use iMessage on Android |url=https://bgr.com/tech/imessage-on-android-hack-download-free-app/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=BGR |language=en-US}}. This is done by routing messages through a Mac computer via the AirMessage server app, that acts as a relay server, connecting to Apple's iMessage network, back to the users device. The app is available on web and supports modern web browsers. {{Cite web |title=AirMessage - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.tagavari.airmessage&hl=en_US |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tagavari |date=2019-02-23 |title=[DEV] AirMessage: iMessage on Android - Public launch! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/atwouk/dev_airmessage_imessage_on_android_public_launch/?rdt=33472 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=r/androidapps}}

On November 28, 2020, an independent open-source app called BlueBubbles was announced by app developer Zach Shames,{{Cite web |last=zlshames |date=2020-11-28 |title=[Public Release] BlueBubbles - iMessage for Android, Windows, and Linux - Open-source & Community-driven |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/k2rm2l/public_release_bluebubbles_imessage_for_android/?rdt=52751 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=r/androidapps}} the app uses a server app on a macOS device that communicates with the client apps and forwards messages to a client app available on Android, Windows and Linux.{{Cite web |last=published |first=Jordan Palmer |date=2022-11-20 |title=I got iMessage working on my Android phone — here's how I did it |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/features/i-got-imessage-working-on-android-heres-how |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Tom's Guide |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Tushar |date=2021-12-20 |title=Can You Use iMessage on Android, Windows, and Linux? Yes, Here’s How |url=https://screenrant.com/use-imessage-android-windows-linux-how/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

On December 5, 2023, an independent app called Beeper Mini, which used reverse engineering of the iMessage protocol, was released for Android.{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2023-12-05 |title=Beeper Mini for Android sends and receives iMessages, no Mac server required |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/beeper-mini-on-android-claims-to-have-reverse-engineered-imessage-compatibility/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207232804/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/beeper-mini-on-android-claims-to-have-reverse-engineered-imessage-compatibility/ |url-status=live }} It quickly reached the top five free communications apps on Google Play and became the fastest-growing paid Android app in history, gaining more than 100,000 downloads in the first 48 hours. A few days after the launch, it was briefly shut down by Apple, but resumed operations again.{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=2023-12-08 |title=Apple has seemingly found a way to block Android's new iMessage app |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/8/23994089/apple-beeper-mini-android-blocked-imessage-app |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209054923/https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/8/23994089/apple-beeper-mini-android-blocked-imessage-app |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kellen |date=2023-12-11 |title=Beeper Mini Returns, But For How Long? |url=https://www.droid-life.com/2023/12/11/beeper-mini-update-apple-confirms-block-beeper-thinks-it-can-fix/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Droid Life |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162501/https://www.droid-life.com/2023/12/11/beeper-mini-update-apple-confirms-block-beeper-thinks-it-can-fix/ |url-status=live }} Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, who lead the Senate's antitrust committee, wrote a letter to the Department of Justice expressing concern that Apple was not allowing competition.{{cite web | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/inno/stories/news/2023/12/18/doj-asked-to-probe-apple-over-beeper-block.html | title=Lawmakers push DOJ to probe Apple for shuttering iMessage-like apps | first=Andrew | last=Mendez | date=2023-12-18 | access-date=December 21, 2023 | archive-date=July 16, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162514/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/inno/stories/news/2023/12/18/doj-asked-to-probe-apple-over-beeper-block.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Mickle |first1=Tripp |last2=Isaac |first2=Mike |date=2023-12-22 |title=Apple's Newest Headache: An App That Upended Its Control Over Messaging |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/technology/apple-iphone-beeper-mini.html |access-date=2023-12-22 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222174221/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/technology/apple-iphone-beeper-mini.html |url-status=live }} The developers of Beeper Mini restored the service again, which was soon shut down again by Apple. Ultimately, the creators of Beeper Mini gave up on bypassing Apple's attempts to shut down the service, so they stopped trying to reverse engineer iMessage.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=December 13, 2023 |title=iMessage for Android via Beeper Mini and Cloud are down again |url=https://9to5google.com/2023/12/13/imessage-android-beeper-down-again/ |website=9To5Google |access-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215092941/https://9to5google.com/2023/12/13/imessage-android-beeper-down-again/ |url-status=live }}

On November 12, 2012, Chetan Sharma, a technology and strategy consulting firm, published the US Mobile Data Market Update Q3 2012, noting the decline of text messaging in the United States, and suggested the decline may be attributed to Americans using alternative free messaging services such as iMessage.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/text-messaging-decline-us-says-report-1C7040450|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114050414/https://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/text-messaging-decline-us-says-report-1C7040450|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2012|title=Text messaging is on decline in US, says report|first=Suzanne|last=Choney|access-date=February 17, 2013|publisher=NBC News}}

In 2017, Google announced they would compete with iMessage with their own messaging service, Messages (formerly Android Messages).{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2017-03-09/gva-s-garrity-on-alphabet-making-a-push-into-android-messaging|title=GVA's Garrity on Alphabet Making a Push Into Android Messaging|website=Bloomberg.com|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014092943/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2017-03-09/gva-s-garrity-on-alphabet-making-a-push-into-android-messaging|url-status=live}}

On November 4, 2014, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) listed iMessage on its "Secure Messaging Scorecard", giving it a score of 5 out of 7 points. It received points for having communications encrypted in transit, having communications encrypted with keys the provider doesn't have access to (end-to-end encryption), having past communications secure if the keys are stolen (forward secrecy), having their security designs well-documented, and having a recent independent security audit. It missed points because users can not verify contacts' identities and because the source code is not open to independent review.{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/node/101713/|title=Secure Messaging Scorecard|date=November 4, 2014|publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation|access-date=April 21, 2024|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520200157/https://www.eff.org/node/82654|url-status=live}} In September 2015, Matthew Green noted that, because iMessage does not display key fingerprints for out-of-band verification, users are unable to verify that a man-in-the-middle attack has not occurred. The post also noted that iMessage uses RSA key exchange. This means that, as opposed to what EFF's scorecard claims, iMessage does not feature forward secrecy.{{cite web|url=http://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2015/09/lets-talk-about-imessage-again.html|title=Let's talk about iMessage (again)|last=Green|first=Matthew|author-link=Matthew D. Green|date=September 8, 2015|work=A Few Thoughts on Cryptographic Engineering|type=Blog|access-date=March 22, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823004548/http://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2015/09/lets-talk-about-imessage-again.html|url-status=live}}

On August 7, 2019, researchers from Project Zero presented 6 "interaction-less" exploits in iMessage that could be used to take over control of a user's device.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/imessage-interactionless-hacks-google-project-zero/|title=Hackers Can Break Into an iPhone Just by Sending a Text|last=Newman|first=Lily Hay|date=2019-08-07|magazine=Wired|access-date=2019-08-09|issn=1059-1028|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214185135/https://www.wired.com/story/imessage-interactionless-hacks-google-project-zero/|url-status=live}} These six exploits have been fixed in iOS 12.4, released on July 22, 2019, however there are still some undisclosed exploits which will be patched in a future update.{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210346|title=About the security content of iOS 12.4|website=Apple Support|language=en|access-date=2019-08-09|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221012500/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210346|url-status=live}} Project Pegasus revelations in July 2021 found the software used iMessage exploits.

In 2021, an FBI document obtained by Property of the People, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, through an FOIA request, reveals, that WhatsApp and iMessage are vulnerable to law-enforcement real-time searches.{{cite web |title=January 2021 FBI Infographic re Lawful Access to Secure Messaging Apps Data |url=https://propertyofthepeople.org/document-detail/?doc-id=21114562 |website=Property of the People |access-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827005708/https://propertyofthepeople.org/document-detail/?doc-id=21114562 |archive-date=2022-08-27 |date=November 19, 2021 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |author1=Ben Zion Gad |title=Can the FBI monitor your WhatsApp conversations? |url=https://www.jpost.com/cybertech/authorities-can-track-your-live-whatsapp-info-fbi-document-says-687360 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=November 30, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119210045/https://www.jpost.com/cybertech/authorities-can-track-your-live-whatsapp-info-fbi-document-says-687360 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Kroll |first1=Andy |title=FBI Document Says the Feds Can Get Your WhatsApp Data -- in Real Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/whatsapp-imessage-facebook-apple-fbi-privacy-1261816/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=29 November 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114163038/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/whatsapp-imessage-facebook-apple-fbi-privacy-1261816/ |url-status=live }} Reuters also reported that Apple had plans to encrypt iCloud backups of iMessage data, but dropped those plans after the FBI complained.{{Cite web |last=Menn |first=Joseph |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups after FBI complained - sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-fbi-icloud-exclusive/exclusive-apple-dropped-plan-for-encrypting-backups-after-fbi-complained-sources-idUSKBN1ZK1CT/ |website=Reuters |access-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209191853/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-fbi-icloud-exclusive/exclusive-apple-dropped-plan-for-encrypting-backups-after-fbi-complained-sources-idUSKBN1ZK1CT/ |url-status=live }}

Eric Migicovsky, founder of third-party iMessage client Beeper Mini, has criticized Apple for preventing iMessage access on Android phones. Migicovsky argues that it is hypocritical of Apple to claim iMessage is private and secure while simultaneously allowing only SMS messages when communicating with users on non-Apple devices (such as Android), even when alternatives exist.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2023-12-08 |title=Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access after launch of service that brought iMessage to Android |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/08/apple-cuts-off-beeper-minis-access-after-launch-of-service-that-brought-imessage-to-android/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210194710/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/08/apple-cuts-off-beeper-minis-access-after-launch-of-service-that-brought-imessage-to-android/ |url-status=live }} Apple has implied that third-party applications like Beeper Mini are less secure because "techniques posed significant risks to user security and privacy, including the potential for metadata exposure and enabling unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks."{{Cite web |last=Pierce |first=David |date=2023-12-10 |title=Apple responds to the Beeper iMessage saga: 'We took steps to protect our users' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/9/23995150/beeper-imessage-android-apple-statement |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162514/https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/9/23995150/beeper-imessage-android-apple-statement |url-status=live }} All four of the security and privacy risks suggested by Apple's statement also apply to SMS, which iMessage uses for fallback when communicating with non-iMessage users.{{Cite web |last=Geller |first=Eric |date=2016-05-17 |title=Study shows phone metadata is much more sensitive than top spies admit |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/surveillance-phone-metadata-identifiable-stanford-study/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162530/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/surveillance-phone-metadata-identifiable-stanford-study/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Merryweather |first=Lauren |date=2021-06-29 |title=Three in five people have received a scam delivery text in the past year - Which? News |url=https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/three-in-five-people-have-received-a-scam-delivery-text-in-the-last-year-aA3fF1B3qT81 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Which? |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211001940/https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/three-in-five-people-have-received-a-scam-delivery-text-in-the-last-year-aA3fF1B3qT81 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-19 |title=How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages |url=https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=Consumer Advice |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211001939/https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages |url-status=live }} Apple has long-resisted bringing iMessage to non-Apple devices, with CEO Tim Cook previously offering the solution of "buy your mom an iPhone" when questioned at Code Conference about a better way to message with family that uses Android. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren commented on the conflict between Beeper Mini and Apple, tweeting: "Green bubble texts are less secure. So why would Apple block a new app allowing Android users to chat with iPhone users on iMessage? Big Tech executives are protecting profits by squashing competitors. Chatting between different platforms should be easy and secure."{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2023-12-10 |title=Senator Elizabeth Warren weighs in on Beeper's fight with Apple. |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/10/23996021/senator-elizabeth-warren-weighs-in-on-beepers-fight-with-apple |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210231022/https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/10/23996021/senator-elizabeth-warren-weighs-in-on-beepers-fight-with-apple |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2023-12-10 |title=Senator Warren calls out Apple for shutting down Beeper's 'iMessage to Android' solution |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/10/senator-warren-calls-out-apple-for-shutting-down-beepers-imessage-to-android-solution/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162531/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/10/senator-warren-calls-out-apple-for-shutting-down-beepers-imessage-to-android-solution/ |url-status=live }}

According to an autumn 2023 survey by Piper Sandler, 87% of US teenagers have iPhones.{{cite web |title=Taking Stock With Teens® |url=https://www.pipersandler.com/teens |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162504/https://www.pipersandler.com/teens |url-status=live }} Claims have been made that the app's use of different colors for iMessage and SMS messages has contributed to social exclusion among some teens.{{Cite web |first1=Kimberly |last1=Gedeon |date=2022-10-08 |title=Green bubble trouble — how Apple geniously employs dark psychology with iMessage |url=https://www.laptopmag.com/features/green-bubble-trouble |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=LaptopMag |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162532/https://www.laptopmag.com/features/green-bubble-trouble |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tim |date=2022-01-08 |title=Why Apple's iMessage Is Winning: Teens Dread the Green Text Bubble |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-apples-imessage-is-winning-teens-dread-the-green-text-bubble-11641618009 |access-date=2023-11-11 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020010550/https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-apples-imessage-is-winning-teens-dread-the-green-text-bubble-11641618009 |url-status=live }}

On November 16, 2023, Apple announced that Rich Communication Services (RCS) support would be coming to iOS the following year{{cite web |last1=Espósito |first1=Filipe |title=RCS is coming to iOS, but will it change anything for most iPhone users? |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/16/rcs-ios-iphone-users/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162532/https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/16/rcs-ios-iphone-users/ |url-status=live }} to be used as a fallback when iMessage is unavailable and the other user can use RCS.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2023-11-16 |title=Apple says iPhones will support RCS in 2024 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rcs-support |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162553/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rcs-support |url-status=live }} It confirmed that RCS messages would remain green.{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Chance |title=RCS messages will use green bubbles, Apple confirms |date=November 17, 2023 |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/16/apple-confirms-rcs-messages-will-have-green-bubbles/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118203335/https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/16/apple-confirms-rcs-messages-will-have-green-bubbles/ |url-status=live }} After the news broke, Google revealed that it would be working with Apple to implement RCS into iOS.{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=Abner |title=Google will work with Apple on implementing RCS on iPhone |url=https://9to5google.com/2023/11/16/google-rcs-iphone/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162507/https://9to5google.com/2023/11/16/google-rcs-iphone/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sattelberg |first1=Will |title=Apple is adding RCS support to the iPhone next year |date=November 16, 2023 |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-rcs-imessage-b/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162507/https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-rcs-imessage-b/ |url-status=live }}

On September 16, 2024, Apple released iOS 18, which brought RCS to supported iOS devices.{{Cite web |title=iOS 18 |url=https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326190212/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple |language=en-US}}

On March 14, 2025, Apple announced that it will be supporting the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 in "future software updates."{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=2025-03-14 |title=End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone coming in future software update |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/14/end-to-end-encrypted-rcs-messaging-on-iphone/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326210014/https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/14/end-to-end-encrypted-rcs-messaging-on-iphone/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US}}

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{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite web|last1=Garman|first1=Christina|last2=Green|first2=Matthew|author-link2=Matthew D. Green|last3=Kaptchuk|first3=Gabriel|last4=Miers|first4=Ian|last5=Rushanan|first5=Michael|title=Dancing on the Lip of the Volcano: Chosen Ciphertext Attacks on Apple iMessage|url=https://isi.jhu.edu/~mgreen/imessage.pdf|website=Johns Hopkins Information Security Institute|publisher=Johns Hopkins University|access-date=March 21, 2016|date=March 21, 2016|archive-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520210609/https://isi.jhu.edu/~mgreen/imessage.pdf|url-status=live}}

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{{Instant messaging}}

Category:End-to-end encryption

Category:Instant messaging protocols