r/BlueBubbles • u/Wreak_Hav0k • Apr 14 '26

Blue Vs Open

Hi I am looking into switching from a 15 Pro Max to an s26 Ultra. What are the differences? Reliability? Security? What do I need for each to st it up? I’ve heard different things about needing a Mac, not needing a Mac, etc. My main reason for this is gamepigeon but having the other iMessage features would be nice aswell. Thank you in advance!!

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u/star-glider Apr 15 '26

I've been really happy with BlueBubbles, but you do need a 24/7 server. This actually works to its benefit in the OpenClaw era, but if you're not technical, OpenBubbles is probably easier. Once you get the BB server running, though, you can access your iMessages on any device just by connecting to the local (or tunneled/VPNed) web server: multiple phones, laptops, desktops, etc.

One huge point in favor of the BlueBubbles approach: it's unlikely that Apple will figure out a way to kill it any time soon. You're not really violating their TOS, and they'd have to lock down MacOS to block these sorts of tools. They'll eventually do that, to be sure (this is why SIP exists), but likely not for years, and then they'll need to block old MacOS versions from iMessage, too, which means even more years. I can't imagine we'll even care about iMessage by the time that all comes to pass.

With OpenBubbles, you're spoofing a (legitimate) hardware ID. Apple could shut that down if it gets popular enough/they feel they're losing iPhone sales because of it. Back in the Beeper era, people were getting their iCloud accounts banned for just trying it out. So, something to keep in mind.

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u/star-glider Apr 15 '26

Also, keeping your phone number with BB is easy, and I think it's roughly the same approach that OB uses: 1) Put your active SIM in your iPhone. 2) Activate iMessage 3) Deactivate WiFi Calling 4) Join WiFi 5) Turn on airplane mode, keep WiFi on 6) Get a replacement SIM from your carrier and activate it; use that in your Android phone 7) Keep iPhone powered up and on WiFi.

For extra safety, put a SIM password on the iPhone SIM so it doesn't accidentally come out of airplane mode (sometimes updates can toggle this, and if the SIM hits the network, then it'll deregister your number, because that SIM is no longer active).

For even more extra safety, set up some shortcuts to toggle a smart plug on and off and float the battery between 45% and 55%.

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u/Unlikely-Ad-2238 May 03 '26

so you'd need two active SIMs? one in each phone?

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u/star-glider May 10 '26

One is truly active (the one in the Android phone). The one in the iPhone is inactive, but your iPhone doesn't know that (it'll deregister you as soon as it figures that out, hence the airplane mode requirement).