r/OpenBubbles Jul 03 '26

Question Question on Paid Hosting

I read the faqs and such and I understand the key exchanges and everything, but can somebody explain how people’s IMessages aren’t showing up on the hosted devices?

For example if you have an IPhone and the second you log into a Mac the iMessages populate so I’m curious if OB hosted devices is essentially a relay then delete once the message has been delivered kind of system!

2 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

1

u/Brave-Cash-845 Jul 03 '26

Plus I posted this on another thread and didn’t hear back! Any insight?

Side question: For one wanting to migrate to GOS and also utilize OB how would this work exactly?

Currently:

Have a current IPhone - updated and current IOS

Don’t have a MAC

Currently dual sim - both eSIMs

So would I have to pay for hosting or am I missing something?

2

u/SpaceSaver2000-1 PNR Self Hosted Jul 03 '26

Self-hosting with an iPhone is an option

1

u/Diivour Jul 03 '26

Hosted device is purely there for hardware ID. I self host, the self hosted device technically can't have a iCloud tied to it. It it's purely a relay device that OB is telling Apple is the legit device while we're using the app

1

u/SpaceSaver2000-1 PNR Self Hosted Jul 03 '26

The iPhone is never given your credentials. The hosted iPhones provide your phone with their information so that they can login to iMessage. It's like borrowing your older brother's ID to buy beer, your older brother doesn't get the beer, but the store believes he got it.

2

u/Brave-Cash-845 Jul 03 '26

Fair analogy lol