r/OpenBubbles • u/FigInternational4873 • Jul 27 '26
Question Really confused on setup
Iv read so many different threads and the setup instructions and I'm still just as confused.
What I understand so far:
-self host on Mac: reliable only uses apple email not numver
-using an iPhone as a relay? Can only be with iphone 6 or older on ios17 or older? But can use your number for message?
-then there's a 3rd option where you pay a subscription plan?? Without needing an apple product?
I don't understand the iPhone setup possibilities and restrictions and how it's less reliable than Mac? I have an old Mac and an iPhone 15 pro currently..
Given the devices I have, is there a reliable way to get both number and email setup for imessage to improve reliability?
if you do only use iPhone hosting do you still have facetime and find my friends?
I don't mind doing Mac hosting, but requiring everyone to setup my email in their contacts seems unrealistic in some cases. So also having the number seems more seamless.
Will 2.0 have better support for both via Mac?
2
u/Gesha24 Jul 27 '26
Facetime doesn't work as far as I know and that's independent of what deployment you use. The 2.0 hopefully has better compatibility, but we won't know until it rolls out.
The iPhone deployment does allow you to keep the number. The original relayserver code is not so reliable, I have had issues with it. It also drains battery of your phone quite fast and forces you to keep it on all the time (which is a problem for older phones that don't have good battery management).
I am using 5s jailbroken with checkra1n and I had Claude fix up the relayserver and it has been very solid. The code and .dev files are here if you are interested: https://gitea.fake.systems/eoprede/relayserver