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Apple could bring iMessage to Android phones, report says

At its WWDC conference Monday, the iPhone maker could announce a move to bring its messaging software to millions of people using Google-powered phones.

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Stephen Shankland principal writer
Stephen Shankland has been a reporter at CNET since 1998 and writes about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science Credentials
  • I've been covering the technology industry for 24 years and was a science writer for five years before that. I've got deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and other dee
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Stephen Shankland
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iMessage offers an encrypted communication channel for Apple product users.

 Apple
This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET's complete coverage from and about Apple's annual developers conference.

Apple's iMessage is available today only on Apple products like iPhones and Macs, but the company could bring its encrypted messaging service to phones powered by Google's Android software, according to a report Thursday.

The company plans to announce the move at its WWDC conference for developers, which begins next week, according to a report at MacDailyNews that cited an unnamed source familiar with Apple's plans. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple's hardware and software are designed to work closely together, but every now and again the company builds versions of its software for rival products -- iTunes running on Microsoft Windows to let many more people buy its iPod music players, for example, or Apple Music for Android. Releasing iMessage for Android could make Apple's service a more compelling alternative to heavy hitters such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which are used by hundreds of millions of people.

Messaging is becoming more advanced, too. WeChat in China is a platform for e-commerce and other services, Google's new Allo has a built-in voice assistant, and Facebook Messenger is becoming a channel you can use to communicate with businesses -- ordering an Uber car, for example.