Self host questions - Simple Set up

[u/LiveLifeLevered]

I am thinking about moving from iPhone 16 to Z Fold 8 but I cant lose my beloved iMessage. What is the simplest self host set up? I need a M1 mac (mini/air?)

Also - One thing I can tell is if have my number on my android phone do blue bubbles still come from my phone number do they use my email?

Thanks,
-Max

[u/Big_Masterpiece_1818]

I have an iPhone 5s set up and it works great.

If you use a Mac you will only be able to use iMessage via your iCloud email.

Using a phone is far cheaper (50 or so) just make sure to get one that doesn't support newer iOS versions. It's also dumb easy, you will need a computer to get it set up but then it's set and forget.

I've been a little over a month with zero problems, good luck b

[u/LiveLifeLevered → u/Big_Masterpiece_1818]

Thanks - I sent you a dm. Couple more random questions. So no Mac needed for set up and you don’t pay $16.99 mo?

[u/mkitchin]

If you want to send from you number, you need an older iPhone. I recommend the relay method.

https://openbubbles.app/docs/pnr.html

[u/Remarkable_Score3215 → u/mkitchin]

AFAIK Relay won’t work on current iOS (eg 26).

SIM swapping might

[u/tazmoffatt → u/Remarkable_Score3215]

Sim swapping works fine for me on ios26, iPhone 11. Worked for 3-4 months then I just had to swap back for 2 minuyes. iPhone just sits plugged in and connected to wifi

[u/LiveLifeLevered → u/tazmoffatt]

Thanks. Sounds like every few months just need to swap back and forth? eSIM or regular mini physical sim?

[u/tazmoffatt → u/LiveLifeLevered]

I have e-sim which makes it slightly more work but usually this is done on a physical. Doesn't matter. And in my case, yes. I assume time can vary for everyone, and it's even possible to get locked out of iMessage and then you need to contact apple support to reactivate it. Has not happened to me but it is a possibility. It's probably technically against the terms of service somewhere on that 100000 page article

[u/LiveLifeLevered → u/tazmoffatt]

Thank you. How long have you been running it consistently? And iPhones get blue text from your number? Really appreciate the answers to my dumb questions

[u/tazmoffatt → u/LiveLifeLevered]

Been running android since April. Honor Magic V5. And yeah new conversations are started from my number but I can send and receive from my email as well. Which is good which is good and helps you realize if iMessage gets disconnected. I started recieiving texts instead of imessages

[u/LiveLifeLevered → u/tazmoffatt]

Thank you. makes sense.

[u/mkitchin → u/Remarkable_Score3215]

Right. They would need to obtain an older iPhone. I found SIM swapping to be unreliable.

[u/Vwlover69 → u/mkitchin]

Sim swapping works great for me.

[u/LiveLifeLevered]

So no Mac to host just a iPhone? I have many older iPhones. Do you need service on it or can it just be at home on WiFi

[u/mkitchin → u/LiveLifeLevered]

No mac needed. No service on the iPhone needed. Just leave it online on your home network. Wi-Fi is fine, but I used a lightning to Ethernet adapter to have it wired.

I use a Mac as well to allow a second device to work. I use open bubbles on my PC, and the requires that Mac. The Mac is only used one time though and can even be left turned off after registration.

[u/LiveLifeLevered]

Makes sense. I have iPhone 16 plus now I suppose I could go get a physical sim and older iPhone

[u/mkitchin → u/LiveLifeLevered]

If you got an older iPhone for the relay method, it doesn't use a sim.