I’ve Stopped Using iMessage as My Primary Messaging App. Here’s Why

iMessage has long been my favorite messaging app, but its limitations have begun to outweigh its benefits. I’ve finally moved on from unsatisfactory cross-platform text messaging to file sharing frustrations. That’s why I went ahead and why you might consider it too.

1

Cross-platform texting experience still doesn’t work

When Apple has implemented RCS (Rich Communication Services) it felt like a step in the right direction. Many hoped that this would bridge the long-standing divide between iPhone and Android users. Features like high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts are now available across all platforms. On paper, this seems like a game changer for cross-platform messaging.

But reality is far from perfect. While RCS has made improvements, it still doesn’t provide the seamless experience that many expect. One of the significant disadvantages is the lack end-to-end encryption for messages exchanged between iPhone and Android devices. This means that confidential conversations may not be as secure as those sent via iMessage or WhatsApp, leaving room for privacy concerns.

Group chats also remain a pain point. In mixed platform groups, issues like inconsistent read receipts and inline replies that don’t work can quickly disrupt the flow of discussion. Even with RCS, messaging between iOS and Android users feels clunky and outdated compared to modern alternatives.

2

File sharing in iMessage still has key limitations

Although iMessage has improved its file sharing capabilities over the years, significant shortcomings remain that make it less practical than others instant messaging applications.

One of the main limitations is how closely iMessage’s advanced features are tied to the Apple ecosystem. For example, while iCloud integration allows you to share files up to 100GB in size, the feature only works when sending to other Apple devices. Sharing large files with Android users or those outside the ecosystem often requires additional steps, such as exporting to third-party services such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

Another ongoing problem is video sharing. By default, iMessage compresses videos, reducing their quality to save bandwidth. Although new versions of iOS include Copy and send the original the ability to send uncompressed media, this feature has not been widely publicized. It’s actually buried in the interface, making it inconvenient to access.

Cross-platform restrictions are perhaps the most glaring drawback. Unlike apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, which support persistent file sharing capabilities regardless of the recipient’s device, iMessage’s functionality is significantly reduced when interacting with Android users. This creates unnecessary barriers and makes it difficult to effectively share files.

3

Switching to Android will mean losing my messages

One of the biggest drawbacks of iMessage is how deeply it locks you into the Apple ecosystem. If you ever decide to switch to Android, you’ll face a major hurdle: your messages won’t travel with you. Apple doesn’t offer an easy way to transfer iMessage history to Android, meaning years of conversations could be effectively blocked.

For someone like me who values ​​continuity, this is a major issue. My iMessage history includes meaningful conversations with family, work discussions, and countless moments I’d rather not lose. Of course, there are third-party tools that claim to bring your iMessages to Android, but they’re often clunky, unreliable, or expensive.

On the other hand, apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are much more flexible. Both let you back up your chat history to the cloud – WhatsApp with Google Drive or iCloud and Telegram by default. This means you can switch devices or platforms without worrying about losing years of conversations.

Not being able to take my iMessage history with me if I ever leave the Apple ecosystem feels restrictive, almost like a form of locking. This is a deal breaker for anyone who values ​​the platform’s flexibility—another reason why I decided against iMessage as my primary messaging app.

Giving up iMessage as my main messaging app was not an easy decision. It’s a polished service with great integration for Apple users, but its limitations became too obvious to ignore as my communication needs evolved.

If you feel similarly limited by iMessage, it may be time to explore other options. You may find, as I did, that there is a better messaging app out there that will make your life easier.