If you have friends or family members who own an iPhone, you’ve probably heard them mention iMessage a couple of times. Your interest has probably been piqued due to how often they praise this messaging app, so much so that you’ve probably wondered what you’re missing out on by not having iMessage on your Android device.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into what iMessage is, talk more about its features, and ultimately suggest several Android apps that could work as an alternative.
What Is iMessage?
iMessage is a built-in messaging feature developed by Apple for its devices. It’s not a separate app you have to download, and as long as you have iMessage enabled in the device’s settings and are connected to the internet, iMessage will automatically be implemented if you’re text messaging another person with an iMessage-enabled Apple device. This feature is exclusive to Apple devices, which is why Android users won’t be able to experience this feature at all.
The iMessage app is a powerful one, and it contains a bunch of cool features, including being able to send and receive files and images, send money through Apple Pay, and many other fun stuff.
The Best Alternatives for Android Users
Android users may not be able to use iMessage, but you don’t have to be stuck with your regular SMS client for the rest of your life. There are so many third-party apps out there that can simulate a similar experience to iMessage, with some even offering more features that aren’t present in iMessage.
Facebook Messenger
The first on our list is Facebook Messenger, which is developed by none other than Facebook and functions as the website’s messaging app. In the past, Facebook and Messenger weren’t separated, but now the latter has become its own separate app. This means that you can still use the Messenger app even if you don’t have Facebook, which is a neat feature. Plus, Facebook Messenger can also function as a file-sharing app.
Hike Messenger
Hike Messenger is an app developed in India, and we’ve added it to this list because it has a sleek and classy user interface that’s similar to how iMessage looks. So not only does it look like you have iMessage, but you can also utilize the same features. The app is simple to use, and you won’t have a hard time trying to figure out how it works.
Just like iMessage, you can also share and receive videos and images, as well as send emojis and stickers to make your chat experience even better.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp is perhaps one of the most popular file-sharing and messaging apps these days, especially within Asia. As long as you’re connected to the internet, you’ll be able to communicate and send all kinds of files and data over to another person who also uses the same app. You can even call another WhatsApp user, which is a feature you won’t find on iMessage. Another reason why WhatsApp is incredibly popular is that it encrypts and protects all your messages, so you can rest easy knowing your conversations are secure.
Telegram
Similarly, Telegram Messenger has also been rising in popularity over the years, just like WhatsApp. The app is available for both iOS and Android users, which helps in bridging the gap between the two devices. Plus, you can sync your Telegram via the cloud, which means you can still view and access your messages even when you’re using a different device than what you initially signed up with.
Airmessage
If you have a Mac computer and you’re a little techy, you can take things to the next level by using Airmessage. When you download this app on your Android device and on your Mac at the same time, your Android can then send a message to your Mac, which will then forward that same message to someone else’s iMessage. It can be a hassle though, especially since you need an actual Mac computer for this to work. But if you want a nearly true-to-life iMessage experience, then this is definitely worth trying out.
Conclusion
If you own an Android device, there’s no need to fret. There are countless third-party apps out there that can offer you a similar iMessage experience, if not a much better one. Most of these apps are available for free too, so you don’t have to worry about spending big bucks just to download them.
