RayshardT

brianjo said:

Apple doesn't allow 3rd party apps to access SMS messages for good reason.  SMS is regularly used for 2 factor authentication. If apps could access SMS, rogue apps could then send those messages off to other servers. Not cool.

Messages does a relatively good job of bridging SMS with iMessage so users could use one app to access both.  Splitting SMS into its own app could be an option, but would then make iMessage its own app, incompatible with devices that don't have iMessage installed.  Apple COULD write an iMessage app for Android, but gaining adoption would be challenging.

I see your point, but I don't think this argument is sound. For one, it presupposes that Apple is the only company that cares about their users' security. If I trust another app to handle my SMS messages, that should be up to me. Also, Apple let's you change your default mail app even though 2FA codes are sent via email and the default keyboard which is used to input the 2FA codes (usually via copy/paste).

Ofer said:

RayshardT said:

The point that Messages is the default and can't be changed is a valid argument for being anticompetitive in the iOS messaging ecosystem because it's makes it such that you can't fully switch to a different messaging app.  A different messaging app that can process SMS/MMS should be able to be the one stop shop for such data but Apple forcing users to use Messages which does nothing to make the SMS/MMS experience better. Even though SMS/MMS is an outdated technology, other apps could provide better user experiences. For example, in Google Messages on Android, emoji reactions on SMS are intercepted and displayed in a more friendly way. Another example would that another SMS/MMS app would inform the user to send a video via link instead of MMS to preserve quality. 

Except that Apple is going to be integrating RCS into its messaging ecosystem. SMS MMS won’t be an issue any longer once this happens.

That's true and exciting! I wonder how they'll integrate it? Like if WhatsApp or Signal add RCS integration will they be allowed to be the destination for incoming RCS messages and be allowed to send them? If so, then that would spruce up the competition in both the iOS and Android space in the US. Like Samsung Messages or Google Messages (and hopefully more) can be the default SMS/MMS/RCS app on Samsung phones.

hmlongco said:

RayshardT said:

The point that Messages is the default and can't be changed is a valid argument for being anticompetitive in the iOS messaging ecosystem because it's makes it such that you can't fully switch to a different messaging app.  A different messaging app that can process SMS/MMS should be able to be the one stop shop for such data but Apple forcing users to use Messages which does nothing to make the SMS/MMS experience better. Even though SMS/MMS is an outdated technology, other apps could provide better user experiences. For example, in Google Messages on Android, emoji reactions on SMS are intercepted and displayed in a more friendly way. Another example would that another SMS/MMS app would inform the user to send a video via link instead of MMS to preserve quality. 

So how would it help to be able to switch the default messages app that handles SMS/MMS, other than now forcing people who use Messages and who send you messages to use a less secure protocol? At least Apple's upcoming support of RCS will fix some of those security problems.

People who want to use messages can continue to use Messages. What I'm saying is, for people who want to consolidate all their messaging into one place (and don't want to use the iMessage protocol) they don't have that option. Also, if you use Message, as soon as you lose internet connectivity or text someone who doesn't use iMessage, you're falling back to a less secure protocol (SMS/MMS). My argument is not about security, it's about user choice.

602warren said:

RayshardT said:

The point that Messages is the default and can't be changed is a valid argument for being anticompetitive in the iOS messaging ecosystem because it's makes it such that you can't fully switch to a different messaging app.  A different messaging app that can process SMS/MMS should be able to be the one stop shop for such data but Apple forcing users to use Messages which does nothing to make the SMS/MMS experience better. Even though SMS/MMS is an outdated technology, other apps could provide better user experiences. For example, in Google Messages on Android, emoji reactions on SMS are intercepted and displayed in a more friendly way. Another example would that another SMS/MMS app would inform the user to send a video via link instead of MMS to preserve quality. 

If you want to stop using Messages, there’s nothing preventing you from doing so. Plenty of available options on the App Store and that is clearly explained in the article. But you want everyone ELSE to stop using Messages, because YOU don’t like it - and that’s where we have a problem.

You're misunderstanding my comment. Regardless of the options on the App Store, if an SMS/MMS message comes to an iPhone, it will only go to the Messages app. Therefore, the user is forced to use Messages. The user doesn't have the option to consolidate all their messaging into one app because of that reason. No one is forcing anyone to do anything, I'm just stating the fact that the option does not exist on iOS.

The point that Messages is the default and can't be changed is a valid argument for being anticompetitive in the iOS messaging ecosystem because it's makes it such that you can't fully switch to a different messaging app.  A different messaging app that can process SMS/MMS should be able to be the one stop shop for such data but Apple forcing users to use Messages which does nothing to make the SMS/MMS experience better. Even though SMS/MMS is an outdated technology, other apps could provide better user experiences. For example, in Google Messages on Android, emoji reactions on SMS are intercepted and displayed in a more friendly way. Another example would that another SMS/MMS app would inform the user to send a video via link instead of MMS to preserve quality.