The universal Sunbird: iMessage for Android app has been removed from the Google Play Store
Sunbird, the company behind the iMessage-compatible chat app for Nothing, has decided to temporarily shut down its service. The decision comes in response to various security concerns that have prompted the company to investigate the issues further. Users were notified about the suspension of the app, and just before the official shutdown, Sunbird informed users that media sharing on the platform was disabled to safeguard confidential data.
The universal Sunbird: iMessage for Android app has been removed from the Google Play Store. Sunbird initially launched in 2022 with the goal of ending the “green bubble” and providing iMessage compatibility for Android users. Recently, the company announced a collaboration with Nothing, a London-based tech company, and the release of a new Nothing Chat app exclusively for the Nothing Phone.
“Dear Sunbird User. We have decided to pause Sunbird usage for now while we investigate security concerns. We will update you when we are ready to proceed,” the notification reads.
However, after the beta version of Nothing Chat went live, users raised concerns about safety and privacy issues. Reported problems included non-encrypted message transfers, the use of outdated HTTP standards, and Sunbird’s ability to access all messages. In response to these reports, Nothing removed the Chat app from the Google Play Store, citing the need to address several bugs.
While Sunbird’s project is officially on hold, it is not a complete shutdown. The company could reinstate the app if it successfully addresses the identified security issues. Moreover, with Apple confirming the incorporation of RCS standards into its Messages app, platforms like Sunbird face challenges in finding success in the evolving messaging landscape.