iMessage Chat, an unofficial iMessage app for Android devices, has appeared on the Google Play store to provide Android users with access to Apple's instant messaging services (via 9to5Mac). The implementation has, however, raised significant security concerns as it routes user's Apple ID information through remote servers, potentially allowing user accounts, which may be linked with iTunes Store purchases, to be compromised.

imessage_android
According to software developer Adam Bell, the app and associated servers facilitate connections to Apple’s iMessage server by posing as a Mac mini, with Cydia creator Jay Freeman adding that the app forwards all communication through a server located in China.

In addition, developer Steven Troughton-Smith discovered that the app has the capability to download and install software in the background of a mobile device, which would allow for potential installation of malicious software.

As a result, while the development is an interesting one in terms of third-party interfacing with iMessage, users should be extremely wary of installing this application on their Android devices.

Update: The app is no longer available for download.

Top Rated Comments

musika Avatar
137 months ago
Remember kids, spelling counts!

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ugahairydawgs Avatar
137 months ago
Death, taxes, and shady apps in the Google Play store....
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locust76 Avatar
137 months ago
...the app forwards all communication through a server located in china.

all the more reason to trust it!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5t3f4n Avatar
137 months ago
iMessage Chat, an unofficial iMessage app for Android devices, has appeared on the Google Play store [...]

Is it really that clever to start an article with a direct link to something that's most likely malware?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
techpr Avatar
137 months ago
This is the primary reason why I don't trust Android. The Google Play Store apps are not reviewed for security threats like Apple's App Store. I have seen lots of malware apps this year.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jroadley Avatar
137 months ago
I really do hate the Google Play store. More control needed.

It's the wild west in there.

(And I am a Nexus 7 owner too!)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...