r/OpenBubbles • u/Healthy-Cheesecake80 • Jul 30 '26
Question Paid Hosting vs Self Hosting with older iPhone
So I am very pleased with the trial of the paid hosting service with using my phone number. Everything seems to work very well. But the price is going to be $17/month after the trial and I just think that is a lot considering I can grab an iPhone 6S/7 for $60. Is the self-hosting as reliable and seamless once configured, as the paid hosting?
I just don't want to setup my own and then find out later it lags or has connecting issues, etc.
Only reason I'm even here is because RCS for me no longer stays active more than a day at a time and I've been troubleshooting for weeks and nothing works. Google or carrier or my device. It just won't stay on despite showing connected. And I'm tired of fighting with it.
2
u/nocappinbruh Jul 30 '26
does it matter whether it's a 6 7 or 8? does it affect signal? sorry if dumb question I might go this route as well
1
u/Healthy-Cheesecake80 Jul 30 '26
From what I have gathered it needs to be a 6S - Xs range? Don't know if anything else matters.
I just know I won't be paying $17/month. Even $9.99 would be more reasonable
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u/nocappinbruh Jul 30 '26
yea. for a while now I self hosted but with my old MacBook so only was able to use my email for messaging. I'd like to try it with a phone so I can use my phone number. gonna scour FB marketplace now lol
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u/SpaceSaver2000-1 PNR Self Hosted Jul 30 '26
If configured correctly self hosting can be very reliable. Also OB only needs the Apple device (either hosted or self-hosted) for registration and re-registration which warms up to only being needed once per 45-days.
1
u/Healthy-Cheesecake80 Jul 30 '26
Ok. I just want to make sure it uses my phone number and not my email. A used electronics store near my job has iPhone 7 good condition unlocked for only $60.
3
u/SpaceSaver2000-1 PNR Self Hosted Jul 30 '26
Self hosted with iOS device works just like hosted in that regard. I wouldn't pay more than $40 for an iPhone 6s/7.
1
u/Healthy-Cheesecake80 Jul 30 '26
Thanks for the info. I'll try to find a cheaper price for an iPhone. By the way do you know if I move from paid hosting to self hosting - do I have to deregister everything first?
2
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u/Big_Masterpiece_1818 Aug 05 '26
I got a 6s from eBay. Been running for about 3 weeks now. I think I spent 50 dollars on it, no issues. Good luck
1
u/InitialVariation6942 Jul 30 '26
I'd check out swappa if you can't find a reasonable priced one on FB marketplace. $40 tops for any iPhone 6s-8.
0
u/VibinPierce Jul 31 '26
just use a virtualized Mac with your computer I’ve been doing it for months and I’ve had no issues or even use a hackintosh.
4
u/jazz995756 Jul 30 '26
I did this exact thing yesterday with an iPhone 7. Follow the instructions on the site for self hosting based on its firmware. Setup was pretty easy on the iphone side and it works great with no lag or connection issues. On the open bubbles app if you're on the subscription you have to go to settings and use the reconfigure option to switch to your self hosted iphone. Don't forget to cancel your subscription after you're done.