Beeper App Update: On-Device Accounts & Encryption

Beeper Relaunches with Enhanced Privacy and Features

Beeper, the unified messaging app, has been relaunched after its acquisition by Automattic, merging it with Texts.com. This update brings significant enhancements, focusing on user privacy and expanded functionality. Beeper allows users to consolidate chats from various platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Google Chat, into a single interface. The key highlight is the introduction of on-device accounts, offering end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and greater control over user data.

Transitioning from Beeper Cloud to On-Device Accounts

Beeper is shifting its focus from cloud-based messaging to on-device accounts. This means users can now choose to process their messages directly on their devices, rather than relying on Beeper’s cloud servers. This approach offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Privacy: With on-device accounts, encryption keys are stored locally, providing a higher level of privacy and security.
• End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Users can benefit from E2EE on platforms that support it, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can read the messages.
• Reduced Reliance on Beeper’s Infrastructure: By processing messages locally, users become less dependent on Beeper’s servers, potentially improving performance and stability.

However, it’s important to note that on-device accounts need to be set up each time a user logs into the app on a new device. This is a necessary trade-off for the increased security and privacy benefits.

Supported Platforms and Future Expansion

Currently, Beeper supports on-device accounts for the following platforms:

• WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business
• Instagram
• Telegram
• Google Chat
• Messenger
• Signal
• LinkedIn
• X (formerly Twitter)

The company plans to expand support to other platforms in the future, including Discord and Slack. The absence of on-device support for Discord and Slack is a notable limitation, but it is expected to be addressed in future updates.

Beeper Plus Subscription: Premium Features and Customization

While the core functionality of Beeper remains free, the company is introducing a Beeper Plus subscription that unlocks premium features and customization options. These include:

• Multiple Accounts: Support for up to three accounts from the same network (up to 10 accounts total).
• Message Scheduling: Schedule messages to be sent at a later time.
• Message Reminders: Set reminders for important messages.
• Custom App Icons: Personalize the app’s appearance with custom icons.
• Voice Message Transcription: Transcribe voice messages into text.
• Incognito Mode: Preview chats without sending a read receipt.

Beeper Plus and Beeper Plus Plus Pricing

Beeper offers two subscription tiers:

• Beeper Plus: $9.99 per month
• Beeper Plus Plus: $49.99 per month (supports “unlimited” accounts)

Existing Beeper users will receive access to 12 accounts for free, and early backers will get permanent access to Beeper Plus features at no cost. This demonstrates Beeper’s commitment to its loyal user base.

Conclusion

The Beeper relaunch marks a significant step forward for the unified messaging app. With its focus on on-device accounts, end-to-end encryption, and a range of premium features, Beeper is well-positioned to appeal to users who value privacy, security, and customization.