Sunbird, the company behind the controversial iMessage for Android app, has announced plans to expand its service to more users. This expansion comes with a significant change – the introduction of a $1.99 monthly subscription fee.
According to a press release issued last week, Sunbird is set to invite the 171,000 users on its waitlist to start using the app in beta. These invitations are expected to roll out in phases beginning this month. The new beta version currently only supports iMessage, with plans to reintroduce RCS support via Google Messages in the future.
This move marks Sunbird’s attempt to rebuild its user base following a privacy scandal that forced the company to pull its app late last year. The app was reintroduced in April 2024 after addressing these concerns.
While the press release didn’t mention the new pricing structure, some users have reported receiving emails detailing the cost. According to these reports, Sunbird is offering a 7-day free trial, after which users will be charged $1.99 per month. This shift to a paid model represents a significant change for the previously free service.
The invitation emails also warn users about potential issues, including a “warming up period” for new Apple IDs, crashes when playing certain audio formats, and sporadic duplication of outgoing attachments.
Despite the announcement, there have been few confirmed reports of users actually gaining access to the new beta. This slow rollout may be part of Sunbird’s strategy to carefully manage the relaunch of its service.
As Sunbird attempts to carve out its niche in the messaging app market, it remains to be seen how users will respond to the new subscription model and whether the app can overcome its past privacy issues to become a viable option for Android users seeking iMessage compatibility.
