#App like imessage for android install#
#App like imessage for android android#

When GoogleвЂ™s RCS rollout gained traction last year, one cybersecurity firm warned that RCS did nothing to resolve SMS vulnerabilities, and as such вЂњexposes most mobile users to hacking.вЂќ The lack of security improvements with Android Messages вЂњenables hackers to intercept and manipulate communicationВ through a DNS spoofing attack.вЂќ Google did not respond when asked whether any of these issues have been addressed. And, Haaretz recently reported on another sophisticated attack on an Israeli network to intercept SMS traffic. Last year, a cyberattack on global carriers was found searching for SMS messages inside the networks at will. But once that message disappears into the network-to-network SMS architecture, all bets are off. So, why is SMS so bad security-wise? With SMS, your messages are encrypted between your phone and your networkвЂ™s cell tower, preventing simple over-the-air interception.

#App like imessage for android install#

WhatsApp does not provide an option to become the SMS messenger on Android, which would have been ideal given its huge install base.

Providing it with your SMS data makes little sense.

Facebook is the hungriest data acquirer on your phone. That said, using Facebook Messenger by default is a bad idea for different reasons. Yes, whenever a recipient is only on SMS this becomes moot, but youвЂ™ll find many more of your contacts on Facebook Messenger than Signal. While Facebook Messenger is not end-to-end encrypted by default, it is more secure than the fragmented SMS architecture operated by the networks. Many Facebook Messenger users on Android have already set it as their standard messenger. More importantly, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is the worldвЂ™s leading end-to-end encrypted platform and has all the functionality offered by iMessage and GoogleвЂ™s RCS rollout. And while Facebook Messenger (ironically) is nowhere close to adding this by default, its вЂњ secret conversations вЂќ are available. When even Facebook strongly advises you to use end-to-end encrypted messengers, you should take note. Signal used to be clunky but that has now changed, as it targets the mainstream with enhanced functionality, making it a viable default messenger when it was not before. But Signal itself has the same rich chat functionality as other mainstream messengers, and you can encourage close friends, family and contacts to install the app. SMS within Signal is just the SMS basics. In shifting from Android Messages, youвЂ™ll lose the ability to send RCS messages to other RCS users. But the desktop Signal app will work just fine for your encrypted messages. вЂњWe want to encourage users to move away from insecure legacy protocols,вЂќВ it says. Signal does not offer its desktop option for this integration. Just like iMessage, youвЂ™ll be able to see when your contacts are Signal-enabled or when youвЂ™re limited to what it calls вЂњUnsecured SMS.вЂќ This integration is only available on your smartphone.

The latest production version of Signal will do just fine. This will give you the same experience as the end-to-end encrypted Android Messages, except it will work for groups and does not require beta installations for all those you choose to message. On Android you can select Signal as your default messenger, using Signal and SMS side by side, to deliver a similar user experience. YouвЂ™ll be familiar with the blue and green text bubbles that differentiate between the two. On iOS, users run encrypted iMessage and unencrypted SMS side by side within AppleвЂ™s default app. And while its install base is modest in comparison to WhatsApp or iMessage, itвЂ™s growing fast. Signal is the best secure messenger available. While its standard messenger is not end-to-end encrypted by default, Android offers users the option to select an alternative default messenger that does. Fortunately, there is a simple solution available now. With that in mind, Android users should opt for a different iMessage-like alternative.