Vratislav Holub The iOS operating system is one of the most important components of Apple phones. It is thanks to the simple system and favorable user interface that iPhones enjoy such widespread popularity, for which Apple can thank not only the hardware as such, but above all the software. In addition, it is no secret that, compared to the competition, it is a relatively closed system with a number of limitations that you would not find, for example, with Android. But let's put these differences aside for now and let's shine a light on iMessage.
iMessage is one of the most important components of Apple operating systems in the eyes of many Apple users. It is an Apple system for instant chatting, which boasts, for example, end-to-end encryption and thus ensures secure communication between two people or groups of users. However, you won't find iMessage outside of Apple's platforms. This is because it is exclusively a capability of apple operating systems, which the apple company guards like an eye in its head.
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Flying around the world with Apple iMessage as the key to Apple's popularity
As we mentioned above, in the eyes of many Apple users, iMessage plays a very key role. In a way, Apple can be described as a love brand, i.e. as a company that can boast of a large number of loyal fans who cannot let go of its products. A native chat application fits perfectly into this concept, but it is only available for users of Apple products. As such, iMessages are part of the native Messages app. This is precisely where Apple managed to make a clever distinction – if you send a message and it is sent with the color blue, you immediately know that you have sent an iMessage to the other party, or that the other party also has an iPhone (or other Apple device). But if the message is green, it is the opposite signal.
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Given the aforementioned popularity of Apple, this whole matter resulted in a rather absurd phenomenon. Some apple-pickers may therefore feel certain opposition to "green" news, which is especially true for younger users. It has even resulted in such an extreme that some young people refuse to get to know people with whom the aforementioned green messages light up. This was reported by an American newspaper New York Post already in 2019. Therefore, the iMessage application is also often cited as one of the main reasons that keeps Apple users locked within the Apple platform and makes it impossible for them to switch to competitors. In that case, they would probably have to start using another tool for communication, which for some reason is out of the question.
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Does iMessage play such an important role?
However, similar news in the Czech Republic can come across as slightly far-fetched. This brings us to the most important question of all. Does iMessage really play that important a role? If we take into account the mentioned extremes, then it is more than clear that Apple's native communicator is absolutely crucial for the company as such. On the other hand, we have to look at it from several angles. The solution enjoys the greatest popularity in the homeland of the apple company, the United States of America, where it is therefore logical that users use a native service that they can trust in a way. But when we look beyond the borders of the USA, the situation changes dramatically.
On a global scale, iMessage is just a needle in a haystack, noticeably lagging behind its competition in terms of user numbers. This is also due to the weaker market share of the iOS operating system. According to data from the portal statcounter.com, rival Android boasts a 72,27% share, while the share of iOS is "only" 27,1%. This is then logically reflected in the global use of iMessage. Therefore, the Apple communicator is primarily used by users in the United States, or fans in other countries, where, however, it is a relatively small percentage of users.
It also strongly depends on the specific area. For example, in Europe the popularity of the WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger applications prevails, which we can also observe in our surroundings. Probably, few people will reach for a native solution from Apple. Beyond the borders, however, things can look completely different. For example, LINE is a typical application for Japan, which many people here may not even have a clue about.
Therefore, why is iMessage attributed with such influence, even though it does not play such an important role on a global scale? As we mentioned above, native solutions are most often relied upon by apple growers in the United States. As this is Apple's home country, it can be assumed that this is where the apple company has the greatest influence.
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Pavel Jelic 
Probably few will reach for a native solution from Apple? Nonsense. From what I see around me, people use iMessage quite routinely and without hesitation or thought, because to them it's the same as SMS and they don't make a difference. In the broader context, however, multi-platform solutions win, which are SMS/MMS as well, but they are technically and user-wise very low-key, and their different pricing puts them at a disadvantage. WhatsApp is a universal solution that knows no geographical boundaries and distances and is easy to get used to, so there is no reason to lose users there, quite the opposite. And people like something that is widespread and universal so that they don't have to use many similar services at the same time. Even though each solution has its own advantages and disadvantages, which is why e.g. LINE has a lot of users in our country. I use it too - thanks to some of its properties, even after many years there is no substitute for it.
I'm probably the opposite side of the coin.
From whatsapp etc. I switched and only use iMessage.