There have been countless efforts by brands to bring iMessage to Android. Now, Sunbird has returned to the Google Play Store after almost three years. It originally launched in 2022 to let Android users communicate through iMessage. The app was later removed following privacy concerns. It has now returned with changes aimed at improving security. Sunbird gives Android users a way to access iMessage from their phones. It also comes with features like text formatting and message effects.
Why Sunbird Still Matters Despite RCS Support
The RCS system has simplified messaging for both Android and iPhone users, offering features such as typing indicators and read receipts. However, RCS is not equipped with all the features available in iMessage. Some users have also reported certain issues with group messages, emojis, and videos. Sunbird tries to fill these gaps by bringing more iMessage features to Android.
However, Sunbird had previously been criticized for its security measures and how it handled users’ privacy. It was stated that messages, documents, and other information could be accessed in clear text format. This issue was faced by Nothing Chats, which uses Sunbird’s technology. In 2023, both applications were suspended.
The relaunched Sunbird app comes with new security measures, according to the company. Sunbird says it encrypts messages on the device and during their transfer. It claims that its servers do not permanently store conversation history. Instead, chats remain stored on the sender’s and recipient’s devices. Sunbird uses AES-256 encryption to protect messages stored on those devices. The company also says it automatically deletes media from its servers within 72 hours. For messages sent to iPhones, Apple’s iMessage encryption protects the final delivery stage.
Sunbird Pricing and Free Trial
Android users can download Sunbird from the Google Play Store and try its features for free. However, Sunbird has a 14-day free trial. After that, a subscription is mandatory. Sunbird has a monthly subscription of $2.99, while its annual subscription is $24.99. More than 181,000 early users had subscribed to this platform before its launch.