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This is also an issue for interactions between Apple users, though. This type of message is reliable, as it doesn’t require your device to have lots of bars to work, but it’s neither secure nor private-SMS messages can be traced, intercepted, and stored by your service provider, who can gladly hand them over to authorities, if asked politely. Now, the catch is that iMessage only works with this security standard when you’re chatting with other Apple users-if one of your friends uses an Android device, the high-standard privacy pretty much goes out the window.īecause iMessage doesn’t play nice with other messaging apps, it immediately switches to the not-so-good-ol’ SMS message whenever it cannot use Apple’s protocol, turning chat bubbles from blue to green. If you’re an Apple user, you’re in luck, as you have access to the company’s built-in E2E encrypted messaging platform. You can also create disappearing messages, similar to WhatsApp.Viber is free for iOS, iPadOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux.


When text messaging, for example, you can include short audio and video snippets as well as stickers and photos. Viber isn't remarkably different from any other messaging app, but it has some interesting features. This is convenient for placing calls to people who aren't Viber users. With a subscription to Viber Out for $5.99 a month, you can also place cellular calls from within the app, which use your cellular plan, rather than Wi-Fi. With Viber, you can do more than call or message individual people - the app accommodates group texts for up to 250 people and group calls for up to 20 people at once. Viber's main screen is typical of most messaging apps, with options to text or make voice and video calls. That also makes initial setup easier, since setup is simply a matter of confirming your phone number. Instead, after installing the app, it relies on your phone number to identify you, so users can't disguise their identity behind a screen name, alias, or avatar. Unlike some messaging apps, Viber doesn't require a username and password. You can use the free app for text messages, voice calls, and video calls.
