Nothing Chats: Security Concern over Apple ID, iMessage Login—Should You Download?

The app that is the first to bridge the gap between Android's messaging system and Apple's exclusive iMessage is now here, but Nothing Chats is seeing massive security concerns from its users regarding its authentication. This centers on how users would log in and verify their Apple IDs to be used for Nothing Chats, and it is what the company relies on to make this service work.

Nothing Chats Security Concern over Apple ID, iMessage Login

Kishan Bagaria has taken his latest discovery over at X regarding the new Nothing Chats app available for Nothing Phone (2) users, stating that the service is "extremely insecure." This centers on the security concern that the researchers have discovered over at Texts.com, and here, he points to Sunbird's Apple ID and iMessage login method.

Instead of sending the Apple ID which a user needs to connect their accounts to the service via HTTPS, Nothing and its partner, Sunbird, is sending it over plaintext HTTP.

Moreover, the team ran an instance of BlueBubbles, and Bagaria claimed that it does not support end-to-end encryption for the service.

Should You Download and Use the Nothing Chats app?

ArsTechnica reported that Sunbird's recent briefs regarding the app also refused to answer technical questions thrown at them, stating that it is one concern over the Nothing Chats. These recent red flags raised by reports are now beginning to question the security of the Nothing Chats, especially if it is still worth it to download and use with one's Apple ID.

While there is no news yet regarding issues or security problems, users may opt not to download it for their peace of mind, and wait for Apple's RCS adoption that would bridge the gap between Android and iMessage.

Nothing's Chat, iMessage, and RCS

In a bid to connect their latest smartphone to more users for a direct messaging system, Nothing Phone (2) was given the opportunity to enjoy a new Android app that will connect it to the exclusive iMessage from Apple. Enter the Nothing Chats, announced earlier this week, with the service aiming to deliver the blue bubble experience for its tech, "breaking down walls" amid the digital divide.

For a long time, Apple has kept its exclusivity by not adopting the RCS, and there are several reasons why the company chose to feature the SMS and MMS feature, despite it being old tech.

Since then, Apple's iMessage remained exclusive to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and what CEO Tim Cook has to say regarding getting the experience is to own Cupertino devices.

However, the latest developments for Apple now center on starting its RCS integration for the first time, and this would arrive come 2024 via an iOS update, confirmed only yesterday.

Nothing Chats would have been a great option if not for its security concerns, red flags, and Phone (2) exclusivity, with risks present in its use.