Looking for information on AirMessage?

Please take a look below for a list of troubleshooting topics and frequently asked questions.

If you can't find what you're looking for, you can check the community subreddit, or create a post of your own. It's also a great place for feature suggestions and general discussion. Your question may have already been asked and answered before!

r/AirMessage

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Troubleshooting topics

Messages aren't being sent Messages redirect to unregistered addresses AirMessage Server can't connect to the database Basic connection troubleshooting AirMessage disconnects on home network AirMessage disconnects on external networks

User guides

Use your phone number with AirMessage Run multiple AirMessage users on one Mac

Frequently asked questions

General software information

What is AirMessage?

AirMessage allows Android, Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS users to use iMessage, just like on an iPhone or Mac.

How does AirMessage work?

AirMessage leverages the power of your Mac computer in order to route messages to and from Apple’s iMessage servers.

The server is to be installed on a computer at home, and will pass messages to and from your AirMessage device to allow the usage of iMessage and other installed services.

What can AirMessage do?

AirMessage can handle text messages, media files, uploading image, video and audio messages, group chats, and the display of read receipts, tapback messages, stickers, and certain send effects.

AirMessage cannot handle chat modification, location sharing, or iMessage apps.

What computers can run AirMessage Server?

In order to run AirMessage, you will need a Mac computer running OS X 10.10 Yosemite or above.

Many people will use old Mac Mini or MacBook devices as a server. If you don’t have one, you may be able to pick up a Mac Mini for around $50 to $75. Any Mac Mini device from early 2009 or later will work.

Is AirMessage secure?

We’ve worked hard to make sure that your messages stay private. All of your messages are encrypted with global standard technologies, so nobody can snoop in on your activity.

Do I have to pay for AirMessage?

AirMessage will always be free to install and run on your devices. Furthermore, we will never put any ads in AirMessage products.

Can I install AirMessage on more than one device?

You can use multiple devices with AirMessage. A single installation of AirMessage server is able to handle many devices.

Please note that if you are using your Google account to access AirMessage, you will only be able to connect 3 devices at a time.

Will AirMessage affect my existing iMessage devices or account?

AirMessage does not alter your iMessage setup in any way. However iMessage is configured to work for you now, it will continue to work the same after setting up AirMessage.

Since all of your messages are first routed through your Mac computer, it may simply be best to think of AirMessage as of extension of this computer. Using AirMessage will have the same effect of using iMessage on the computer.

AirMessage for Android

What Android phones are supported?

In order to run AirMessage, all that is needed is a smartphone running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above. Other factors, such as running a custom ROM or rooting the device should not affect AirMessage. Please note that you will not be able to use AirMessage’s location picker if your phone does not have Google Play Services.

Can I use AirMessage to send SMS / MMS / RCS messages?

AirMessage supports sending SMS and MMS messages, and will display them alongside your iMessage conversations. To enable this feature, open AirMessage’s settings, scroll down, and select “Enable text message integration”.

Unfortunately, RCS is currently not supported.

How do I load my previous message history?

If you have message history on your Mac computer and would like those messages to show up on AirMessage as well, you can copy those messages to your phone.

To do this, open AirMessage, open the three-dot menu in the top corner of the screen, navigate to Settings, then scroll down and select “Sync messages”.

By default, only your recent messages and files will be downloaded. If you would like to fine-tune which messages are selected, select “Advanced” in the prompt dialog.

How do I remove the "connected to server" persistent notification?

This notification can be safely hidden without affecting functionality. To remove it, long-press the notification select “Turn off notifications”, and turn off “Background status”.

How do I connect to a server running on a different port from the Android app?

When entering your server information, simply append : to the end of your server address.

If a port number is not provided, then AirMessage will attempt to connect to the default port, 1359.

AirMessage for web

What web browsers are supported?

AirMessage for web supports recent versions of all major browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge). Please ensure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled.

How do I install AirMessage for web on my computer?

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge allow installing compatible websites as apps, giving them their own window and adding a shortcut to the taskbar or app launcher.

To install AirMessage, visit AirMessage for web in your browser. To the right end of the URL bar, a plus (+) icon should appear. Select it, and follow the prompts to install AirMessage.

AirMessage Server (macOS)

What Mac computers are supported?

In order to run AirMessage Server, you will need a Mac computer running OS X 10.10 Yosemite or above.

OS X Yosemite will run on these computer models or newer (from Wikipedia):

  • iMac (Mid 2007 or later)
  • MacBook (Aluminum Late 2008 and Early 2009 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009 or later; 15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later; 17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
  • Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)

If you choose to run AirMessage on a Hackintosh device or a virtual machine, there will be no guarantees of its functionality. However, it should work as long as iMessage is working.

How do I change the port of the server?

Open AirMessage’s preferences window on your Mac computer, and change the server port parameter.

How do I update the server?

Server updates will be released periodically to improve the functionality, performance and stability of AirMessage. When an update is available, you will be notified by a popup window on your computer.

You can choose whether or not you want the server to check for updates in the app’s preferences window.