Apple Messages (iMessage)

Apple's built-in Messages app, encrypted iMessage between Apple devices plus RCS and SMS for others.

Visit Apple Messages (iMessage)See 5 alternatives

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
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About Apple Messages (iMessage)

Messages is the texting app built into every iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Between Apple devices it uses iMessage, which sends texts, high-resolution photos, reactions, effects and stickers over the internet with end-to-end encryption, the familiar blue bubbles. Messages to Android phones fall back to RCS, which since iOS 18 adds typing indicators and good-quality media, or to plain SMS. Encrypted RCS is arriving in beta from iOS 26.5, but only when both carriers support it. Conversations sync across your Apple devices through your Apple ID, and newer iPhones can even text via satellite without a signal. There is nothing to install and no fee beyond your data plan. The obvious limitation is that it only exists on Apple hardware: there is no Android or Windows app, and group chats mixing iPhone and Android users lose features. It is the natural default for Apple households, while mixed groups often settle on WhatsApp or Signal.

Best for: iPhone and Mac users whose friends and family are also on Apple devices.

What works

Built in, with nothing to install or sign up for
End-to-end encrypted between Apple devices
Falls back to RCS and SMS to reach any phone

Why people leave

Only available on Apple devices
Mixed iPhone and Android groups lose features
RCS encryption depends on both carriers

Top Apple Messages (iMessage) alternatives

See all 5

1
WhatsApp
Works the same on iPhone and Android, so mixed groups keep every feature.
66.5
2
Signal
Encrypted chats that work across Apple, Android and desktop devices alike.
62.6
3
Google Messages
The Android counterpart for RCS texting if you are moving from iPhone to Android.
59.6
4
Telegram
Cross-platform with desktop and web apps for people leaving the Apple ecosystem.
57.2
5
Beeper
Pulls many chat networks into one inbox on Apple and non-Apple devices.
55.3

Why people left Apple Messages (iMessage)

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Apple Messages (iMessage): common questions

Is Apple Messages (iMessage) free?

Yes, Apple Messages (iMessage) is free to use.

Is Apple Messages (iMessage) open source?

No, Apple Messages (iMessage) is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Signal.

What platforms does Apple Messages (iMessage) run on?

Apple Messages (iMessage) is available for macOS and iOS.

What are the best alternatives to Apple Messages (iMessage)?

The highest-ranked Apple Messages (iMessage) alternatives right now are WhatsApp, Signal and Google Messages. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Apple Messages (iMessage) alternatives

Apple Messages (iMessage) facts

4 of 4 verified

End-to-end encryption: Yes, for iMessage; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab); “When you use iMessage, your conversations are encrypted end-to-end, so they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.”
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab); “You can use the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro to send messages.”
RCS support: Yes, from iOS 18; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab); “To use RCS, you need iOS 18 and a text-messaging plan from a carrier that supports RCS on iPhone.”
Encrypted RCS: Beta from iOS 26.5; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab); “Starting with iOS 26.5, end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (Beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.”