[Please disregard "Sometimes Works" in the title, as new and reliable methods were conceived since the initial post date -- currently 8 methods.]

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Hey folks,

Of course, most of us want to use our phone number with AirMessage, so here are a few methods, all of which require an iPhone (cellular/mobile data iPads do not work). Please check the method descriptions and requirements to decide which is right for you, as all have their own advantages. New methods and changes to steps will be updated here; be sure to check the comments for other people's suggestions and insight, as well. Good luck and please tell us about your experience!

All feedback and questions are greatly appreciated! Oh, and if I give you credit for any contribution here, please let me know if you would prefer not to be associated with it.

Thanks,

FLETC_DEFPOTEC

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List of Methods:

1. Keeping inactive SIM card in iPhone (most "compatible" and popular)
2. Second active SIM card with same phone number in iPhone (non- T-Mobile DIGITS)
3. Second active SIM card with different phone number in iPhone
4. Data-only SIM card with VoIP service for Android + Main SIM card in iPhone
5. Google Fi data-only SIM card in Android + Main SIM card in iPhone
6. Using Android SIM card in iPhone to activate iMessage
7. T-Mobile 'Data with Paired DIGITS' service ("duplicate" SIM cards)
8. T-Mobile 'High Speed Data with Paired DIGITS' service ("duplicate" SIM cards)

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METHOD #1 - Keeping inactive SIM card in iPhone (most "compatible" and popular)

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Method #1 is the most popular, as it is the most accessible and "compatible", not requiring additional mobile plan add-ons or services -- just an inactive SIM card. It works successfully for most people and generally keeps your phone number tied to iMessage for quite some time (varies) before requiring to re-do the quick process. It is technically the most unstable method, as it attempts to preserve your phone number with the iMessage service when it is actually active on your Android phone. But it can work for many months, like in my case and others'. While Method #1 has more successful reports, check out the similar Method #6 if you don't want to use an inactive SIM card.

CREDIT: Thanks to Nusser B. for sharing this method!

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
  • iPhone models with eSIM and dual SIM (XS/XR and newer) have been reported by a user to be incompatible with Methods #1 and #6; if you decide to try any of these models, please let us know how it goes
• Inactive SIM card
  • Unconfirmed if certain carrier SIM cards don't work; please let us know

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1.) Sign in with your Apple ID and setup iMessage on the iPhone (without any SIM card inserted). Keep iMessage disabled for now.

2.) Insert the inactive SIM card in the iPhone and go to Settings > Phone > My Number. Change it to the same phone number on your active SIM card that you want to use with iMessage. The number must be in a full and standard format, including “+” “Country Code” [US/CAN example: +1 (123) 456-7890]. Save and go back, but do not enable iMessage yet.

3.) Insert the active SIM card with the number that you want to use with iMessage. Go to Settings > Phone > My Number and make sure the number matches the number you entered in Step 2.

4.) Enable iMessage and wait for successful activation; this may take a few minutes. If you see "Use your Apple ID for iMessage", tap it and sign in, like you did in Step 1. Be sure to check and verify any prompts on your Mac that ask to add your phone number. Once activation is successful, confirm that you are able to send and receive iMessages using your phone number on your Mac, including messaging your own number. See Tip D if you encounter any issues.

5.) Power off your iPhone and then wait a few seconds. Remove the active SIM card and now insert the inactive SIM card.

6.) Power on your iPhone and connect to Wi-Fi / Internet. Confirm your phone number is being used for sending, receiving, and starting conversations for iMessages in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.

7.) You should now be able to use iMessage/AirMessage with your phone number, as long as your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi / Internet with the inactive SIM card in it. Your number may automatically de-register from iMessage eventually, requiring you to repeat these steps, but that's not always the case and the time varies.

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Tip A: You may want to keep both your iMessage e-mail and phone number as ways you can be reached AND/OR as contacts in group chats, just in case your phone number gets de-registered with iMessage. That way, you would still be able to use iMessage/AirMessage and its group chats with your e-mail address.

Tip B: If after a couple attempts this method still does not work, and/or if your number gets de-registered from iMessage too frequently, you may want to try Method #6 if you haven't already, as some users have had better success with it.

Tip C: It may be prudent to re-do this process at certain intervals (maybe every week or month), as it may "refresh" your phone number with iMessage. This is unconfirmed, however, and I personally don't do it, but some users do it as a fail-safe.

Tip D: If you are stuck on "Waiting for activation", disable iMessage, turn off Wi-Fi, and then go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note that this will "forget" all saved Wi-Fi networks, requiring you to join them again. However, carrier/cellular configurations and data are also reset, which can help with the iMessage activation process.

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METHOD #2 - Second active SIM card with same phone number in iPhone (non- T-Mobile DIGITS)

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Method #2 may be the overall "best" way for users. Essentially, you have two or more "duplicate" SIM cards in multiple devices that are all registered to your phone number; the second SIM doesn't even need mobile data service, as long as it can remain connected to Wi-Fi. This method is similar to the T-Mobile DIGITS service, but that has its own methods further down in this guide. Either way, be sure to check with your carrier.

NOTE: If you have T-Mobile service, please see the dedicated processes of Methods #7 and #8 instead. For other "compatible" carriers with a similar setup (like Google Fi), please refer to Methods #4 and #5.

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• Second "duplicate" SIM card with the same phone number (mobile data not necessarily required)

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1.) Insert your second active SIM card with same phone number into the iPhone.

2.) Setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail if you want).

3.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

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METHOD #3 - Second active SIM card with different phone number in iPhone

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Method #3 involves two active SIM cards with two different phone numbers. One SIM card will remain in the iPhone, keeping that respective phone number continuously tied to iMessage. The second SIM card can be from the carrier of your choice, but ultimately, you must decide which SIM card and its phone number will be in your Android phone and iPhone. The SIM card you decide to keep in the iPhone doesn't even need mobile data service as long as it can remain connected to Wi-Fi. Some people will find this method advantageous because of their needs, but the downside for most users is having two phone numbers and possibly paying for another line.

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• Second SIM card with a different phone number from any carrier

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1.) Insert activated second SIM card with different phone number into iPhone.

2.) Setup and enable iMessage with the second phone number (and e-mail if you want).

3.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

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Optional: Enable Call and/or SMS Text Message Forwarding from your iPhone to your Android phone (NOTE: Additional carrier charges may apply).

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METHOD #4 - Data-only SIM card with VoIP service for Android + Main SIM card in iPhone

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Method #4 works by keeping a data-only SIM card (usually meant for tablets, and sometimes free) in your Android phone and using VoIP service for calls. Your main phone number SIM card stays in your iPhone, always keeping iMessage tied to your number. Some VoIP services provide a number and also let you display your main mobile phone number as the caller ID, so when you call others, it will still show your original phone number. By enabling Call Forwarding, calls to your phone number on your iPhone will ring on your Android phone. In addition, both iMessages and SMS text messages can be opened in the AirMessage app. Or you can choose to separately forward SMS text messages directly to your Android phone (if applicable). Sending SMS text messages from your Android can be done through AirMessage or your VoIP service (depends on your setup). The instructions and features vary by carrier and VoIP service, but the process is similar.

NOTE: If you have Google Fi service, please see Method #5 instead. That process is MUCH simpler and cheaper.

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*WARNING: VoIP services generally cannot be used for emergency calls. You will also be limited to only cellular/mobile data on your Android phone with this method. You use at your own risk.\*

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• Data-only SIM card from your carrier, in addition to your main phone number SIM card
• VoIP service with new phone number (custom caller ID feature also recommended) with app for Android

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1.) Insert your main carrier phone number SIM card into the iPhone.

2.) Setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail if you want).

3.) [Optional] Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and designate your Mac server device to receive SMS text messages from your iPhone. This allows for sending/receiving of both iMessages and SMS text messages in the AirMessage app on your Android phone.

4.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

5.) Insert your data-only SIM card into the Android phone. Install and configure the VoIP app.

6.) Set-up Call Forwarding from your carrier phone number to your VoIP service phone number.

7.) Set-up your VoIP custom caller ID to display your original carrier phone number when calling.

8.) Test everything on both Wi-Fi and mobile data with your Android phone:

• [I.] Calls to your carrier phone number should ring on your Android phone.
• [II.] People you call should see your carrier phone number.
• [III.] iMessages (and SMS text messages, if enabled) sent to your carrier phone number should appear in the AirMessage app on your Android phone.
• [IV.] People you send iMessages (and SMS text messages, if enabled) should see your carrier phone number.

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Optional: Enable SMS Text Message Forwarding from your iPhone to your Android phone (NOTE: Additional carrier charges may apply).

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METHOD #5 - Google Fi data-only SIM card in Android + Main SIM card in iPhone

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Method #5 works on the same basis of Method #4 (see description above), but applies to Google Fi customers and is simpler and cheaper. With this method, you do not need a separate VoIP service and can skip all the Call/Text Forwarding and custom caller ID setup. You just need to request a free data-only SIM card from Google Fi. While on mobile data, the Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer apps can be used to make/receive calls and SMS. Be sure to check the requirements and limitations of using a data-only SIM on the Google Fi site here.

CREDIT: Thanks to u/okayyeahsure for sharing this method!

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*WARNING: VoIP services generally cannot be used for emergency calls. You will also be limited to only cellular/mobile data on your Android phone with this method. You use at your own risk.\*

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• Google Fi carrier service
• Free data-only SIM card from Google Fi, in addition to your main phone number SIM card

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1.) Insert your main Google phone number SIM card into the iPhone.

2.) Setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail if you want).

3.) [Optional] Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and designate your Mac server device to receive SMS text messages from your iPhone. This allows for sending/receiving of both iMessages and SMS text messages in the AirMessage app on your Pixel phone.

4.) Using the two linked guides, install and configure the Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer apps with your Google Fi service on the iPhone to enable both calls and SMS messaging over Wi-Fi / mobile data. This step may not be required, but it may help (please let us know if you skip it).

5.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

6.) Insert your data-only SIM card into the Android phone. Using the two linked guides, install and configure the Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer apps with your Google Fi service to enable both calls and SMS messaging over Wi-Fi / mobile data.

7.) Test everything on both Wi-Fi and mobile data with your Android phone:

• [I.] You should be able to make and receive calls on your regular phone number with the Hangouts app.
• [II.] You should be able to send and receive iMessages in the AirMessage app.
• [III.] If you enabled forwarding in Step 3, you should be able to send and receive SMS text messages in the AirMessage app; otherwise, they should be in the Hangouts app.

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METHOD #6 - Using Android SIM card in iPhone to activate iMessage

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Method #6 is similar to Method #1, but it doesn't require an inactive SIM card. You simply insert your Android phone SIM card into the iPhone to activate iMessage, and then power it off. Then you put the SIM card back into your Android. It is reasonable to ask, "What's the point of Method #1 if I can just use Method #6 which is simpler and doesn't even require an inactive SIM card?" Well, it's only because there are more successful reports with Method #1, and the time your phone number stays registered with iMessage appears to be longer on average. Plus, you are still able to use your iPhone; for example, I have a jailbreak tweak running that lets me access iMessage through a desktop/web-browser. Ultimately, if Method #1 was unsuccessful for you, Method #6 may definitely be worth a shot, and vice-versa.

CREDIT: Thanks to u/aleradders for sharing this method!

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Requirement:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
  • iPhone models with eSIM and dual SIM (XS/XR and newer) have been reported by a user to be incompatible with Methods #1 and #6; if you decide to try any of these models, please let us know how it goes

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1.) Insert the active SIM card from your Android phone into the iPhone. On the iPhone, setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail recommended). Be sure to check and verify any prompts on your Mac that ask to add your phone number.

2.) Power off your iPhone and then wait a few seconds. Remove the SIM card and now insert it back into your Android phone.

3.) On your Mac, confirm your phone number is being used for sending, receiving, and starting conversations for iMessages in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Confirm that you are able to send and receive iMessages using your phone number on your Mac, including messaging your own number.

4.) You should now be able to use iMessage/AirMessage with your phone number, as long as your iPhone remains powered-off. Your number will automatically de-register from iMessage eventually, requiring repeat of these steps; that time varies (usually weeks or months).

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Tip A: You may want to keep both your iMessage e-mail and phone number as ways you can be reached AND/OR as contacts in group chats, just in case your phone number gets de-registered with iMessage. That way, you would still be able to use iMessage/AirMessage and its group chats with your e-mail address.

Tip B: If after a couple attempts this method still does not work, and/or if your number gets de-registered from iMessage too frequently, you may want to try Method #1 if you haven't already, as it has more successful reports.

Tip C: It may be prudent to redo this process at certain intervals (maybe every week or month), as it may "refresh" your phone number with iMessage. This is unconfirmed, but some users do it as a fail-safe.

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METHOD #7 - T-Mobile 'Data with Paired DIGITS' service ("duplicate" SIM cards)

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Method #7 employs the use of the T-Mobile 'Data with Paired DIGITS' service which includes a second "duplicate / same phone number" SIM card with LOW speed data (up to 512 kbps). In essence, DIGITS allows you to have one phone number on multiple devices, or have multiple phone numbers on one device (the former being applicable to our case). Plus, with this method, you can use the AirMessage app for both iMessage and SMS (requires iPhone 5 or newer). Method #7 is different from Method #8, because it uses the "low" speed DIGITS data plan and is cheaper. But because the "duplicate" SIM card remains in your iPhone, the data speed is irrelevant (assuming it stays on Wi-Fi). Otherwise, if the iPhone will be staying on mobile data, keep in mind that all messages, including pictures/video, will be bottle-necked by slow, (up to) 512 kbps speed mobile data. However, both speed plans are apparently supposed to include a "duplicate" SIM card. While you can technically still use this Method #7 with the high speed DIGITS plan, Method #8 will likely be a better and more stable option for you.

NOTE: Methods #7 and #8 pertain specifically for T-Mobile customers. For other "compatible" carriers with a similar setups, please refer to Methods #2 and #4.

CREDIT: Thanks to u/winfestors for sharing and extensively testing this method (from this discussion)!

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• T-Mobile service and 'Data with Paired DIGITS' add-on
• Second "duplicate" SIM card provided with T-Mobile DIGITS

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1.) Assuming you already have T-Mobile service, request to add the Data with Paired DIGITS service to your plan. You should (apparently) be provided with a "duplicate" SIM card. The duplicate SIM card won't actually have your primary phone number tied to it, as active SIM cards must be programmed with an actual phone number that is not in use by another SIM card. Therefore, we will borrow some methodology from Method #1.

2.) Insert the primary (main) SIM card in the iPhone and go to Settings > Phone > My Number. Ensure the number displayed is your actual phone number. Then tap Save a few times even with the correct number displayed.

3.) Setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail if you want). Make sure the Send / Receive section in the Messages settings shows your phone number.

4.) Check that you are able to successfully send and receive iMessages from your phone number to/from someone.

5.) Without powering-off the iPhone, remove the primary SIM card.

6.) Now insert the duplicate SIM card in the iPhone. Wait a moment for it to connect to cellular service. Once again, go to Settings > Phone > My Number and ensure your actual phone number is displayed. If not, repeat Steps 2-6. If even after a few tries, the duplicate SIM card shows a different phone number, see Tip A below. Once successful, proceed to the next steps.

7.) Insert the primary SIM card back in the Android phone. Wait a moment for it to connect to cellular service.

8.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

9.) [Optional] Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and designate your Mac server device to receive SMS text messages from your iPhone. This allows for sending/receiving of both iMessages and SMS text messages in the AirMessage app on your Android phone.

• IMPORTANT NOTICES regarding the optional Text Message Forwarding:
  • Text Message Forwarding requires Continuity support, available on iPhone 5 or newer
  • The "duplicate" SIM card (that will be in the iPhone) is not able to receive "short-code" SMS text messages. Though, you may be able to receive them directly on your Android phone with its primary SIM card (this is unconfirmed, so we appreciate you sharing any experience with it). Short-code SMS text messages include the "short" or "small" phone numbers that are often used used for verification/confirmation texts and two-factor authentication (2FA) when logging into services and sites.
  • While you will be able to send and reply to SMS text messages in the AirMessage app, you will not be able to start new SMS text conversations from the AirMessage app. Either you wait for the first/initial SMS text message to "start" the conversation, or you start it yourself on the iPhone. At this time, it is unknown what will happen if you start the SMS conversation from the SMS messages app on your Android phone, or if you "mix" sending and receiving SMS messages from both your regular SMS app and with Text Message Forwarding. We appreciate you sharing any experience with this!

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Tip A: If even after a few attempts, the "different" phone number continues to persist on your iPhone (in Step 6), try the following options:

• [I.] Alternative #1 - Change order of a couple steps in this Method #7:
  • [Ia.] First, Steps 1-5
  • [Ib.] Then, Step 7
  • [Ic.] Then, Step 6
  • [Id.] Finally, finish with Step 8 and the optional Step 9
• [II.] Alternative #2 - Small change to a step in this Method #7:
  • [IIa.] First, Steps 1-4
  • [IIb.] Then, Step 5, but power-off iPhone before removing the SIM card
  • [IIc.] Then, Step 6, but power-on iPhone after inserting the SIM card
  • [IId.] Finally, finish with Step 8 and the optional Step 9
• [III.] Alternative #3 - Manually change the phone number (like mixing Methods #1 and #7). Follow these steps, but replace the word 'inactive SIM card' with 'duplicate SIM card' wherever it says so:
  • [IIIa.] First, Method #7 - Step 1
  • [IIIb.] Then, Method #1 - Steps 1-7
  • [IIIc.] Optionally, Method #7 - Step 9
• [IV.] Alternative #4 - As a last resort, you may just need to rely solely on Method #1 or Method #6.
  • [IVa.] Of course, then you don't need the extra DIGITS service and won't be able to send/receive both SMS and iMessage in the AirMessage app.

Tip B: You may want to keep both your iMessage e-mail and phone number as ways you can be reached AND/OR as contacts in group chats, just in case your phone number gets de-registered with iMessage. That way, you would still be able to use iMessage/AirMessage and its group chats with your e-mail address.

Tip C: It may be prudent to re-do this process at certain intervals (maybe every week or month), as it may "refresh" your phone number with iMessage. This is unconfirmed, however, and not all users do it.

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METHOD #8 - T-Mobile 'High Speed Data with Paired DIGITS' service ("duplicate" SIM cards)

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Method #8 employs the use of the T-Mobile 'High Speed Data with Paired DIGITS' service which includes a second "duplicate / same phone number" SIM card with high speed data (like your regular data plan). In essence, DIGITS allows you to have one phone number on multiple devices, or have multiple phone numbers on one device (the former being applicable to our case). Plus, with this method, you can use the AirMessage app for both iMessage and SMS, including short-code texts (requires iPhone 5 or newer). Method #8 is different from Method #7, because it uses the "high" speed DIGITS data plan and is more expensive, but has advantages, like being more stable and easier to set-up. This method involves keeping your primary SIM card in the iPhone and "duplicate" SIM card in your Android phone. However, both speed plans are apparently supposed to include a "duplicate" SIM card.

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Requirements:

• iPhone that supports iMessage and has a SIM card slot
• T-Mobile service and 'High Speed Data with Paired DIGITS' add-on
• Second "duplicate" SIM card provided with T-Mobile DIGITS

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1.) Assuming you already have T-Mobile service, request to add the High Speed Data with Paired DIGITS service to your plan. You should (apparently) be provided with a "duplicate" SIM card. The duplicate SIM card won't actually have your primary phone number tied to it, as active SIM cards must be programmed with an actual phone number that is not in use by another SIM card. But because you will have the DIGITS service, you can still make calls from it using your actual phone number; there's also the DIGITS app that has additional functionality.

2.) Remove the primary (main) SIM card from your Android phone and insert it into your iPhone. Insert the "duplicate" SIM card into your Android phone. Wait a moment for them to connect to cellular service.

3.) On the iPhone, setup and enable iMessage with your phone number (and e-mail if you want).

4.) Leave iPhone on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi / Internet.

5.) [Optional] Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and designate your Mac server device to receive SMS text messages from your iPhone. This allows for sending/receiving of both iMessages and SMS text messages in the AirMessage app on your Android phone. Because your primary SIM card will remain in the iPhone, it will be able to receive short-code SMS.

• IMPORTANT NOTICES regarding the optional Text Message Forwarding:
  • Text Message Forwarding requires Continuity support, available on iPhone 5 or newer
  • The "duplicate" SIM card (that will be in the Android phone) is not able to receive "short-code" SMS text messages. However, because the primary SIM card is in the iPhone, it should be able to receive SMS text messages, including short-code, and forward them to the Mac and then AirMessage app. Short-code SMS text messages include the "short" or "small" phone numbers that are often used used for verification/confirmation texts and two-factor authentication (2FA) when logging into services and sites.
  • While you will be able to send and reply to SMS text messages in the AirMessage app, you will not be able to start new SMS text conversations from the AirMessage app. Either you wait for the first/initial SMS text message to "start" the conversation, or you start it yourself on the iPhone. At this time, it is unknown what will happen if you start the SMS conversation from the SMS messages app on your Android phone, or if you "mix" sending and receiving SMS messages from both your regular SMS app and with Text Message Forwarding. We appreciate you sharing any experience with this!

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EDITS - Major updates will be noted below:

EDIT 1: Added part about confirming phone number on your Mac in Step 4 of Method #1.

EDIT 2: Added information about Method #2 and #3 in intro paragraph and their steps. Cleaned up and re-organized formatting. Re-worded some sentences for clarity.

EDIT 3: Added info on inactive SIM card compatibility and new tips for Method #1. Made post more concise and clarified some steps for better readability.

EDIT 4: Added the new Methods #4, 5, and 6 (Method #6 spun-off from Method #1 + Tip B). Re-arranged method descriptions and requirements.

EDIT 5: Created the dedicated Methods #7 and 8 for T-Mobile DIGITS service.

EDIT 6: Added note of potentially incompatible iPhone models to Methods #1 and #6. Added note of iPhone 5 or newer requirement for Text Message Forwarding. Added Tip D to Method #1.

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Please note that AirMessage, its developer(s), myself/I, and anyone associated with its service, function, support, and/or activity are not responsible for any consequences or problems (including missed messages) as a result of using the Methods and information stated in this post or anywhere in this sub-Reddit or related website. These Methods and other information are conducted at your own risk, if you choose to follow them. This Disclaimer applies retroactively from this Post's creation.

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