FAQ¶

Do I need a Mac, an Apple account, or an app on the iPhone?¶

No. BlueFerry talks to the iPhone directly over standard Bluetooth profiles. There is no relay, Apple login, iPhone app, jailbreak, cloud service, or subscription.

Can I see my older messages?¶

Only messages BlueFerry has seen while connected. It doesn't download your iCloud Messages archive or your complete sent-message history.

Can I send pictures, react to messages, or see typing indicators?¶

No. Attachments, reactions, and typing indicators aren't available over the Bluetooth profiles that iOS offers.

Can I make calls?¶

No. Calls and FaceTime aren't supported. BlueFerry deliberately keeps call and music audio on the iPhone.

Why can't I reply to a group?¶

Bluetooth doesn't tell BlueFerry a group's ID or complete member list. For a named group, BlueFerry learns members from the people who write in it and asks you to confirm the full list once. If the members are unclear, or someone new writes, replies stay disabled until you confirm again. See Group chats.

Can two computers use the same iPhone?¶

Both can be paired, but the iPhone serves the message connection to only one of them at a time. The other one shows that the connection was refused.

Which Bluetooth adapters work?¶

Adapters with Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth 4.0 or newer with LE advertising. Bluetooth 3-only adapters don't work. Realtek adapters generally don't support iPhone system notifications or group chats. Behavior varies by adapter, so please report what works for you.

Does it work with iOS 18 or earlier?¶

Use Compatibility pairing for iOS 18 or earlier. Messages and contacts work; iPhone system notifications don't connect. See Pairing options.

Does BlueFerry send my data anywhere?¶

No. Everything stays on your computer. Message history is encrypted by default; see Privacy and storage.

Is it safe to rely on?¶

Not yet as your only way to receive important messages. BlueFerry is experimental, and Apple can change the Bluetooth behavior it relies on.

Where do I report bugs?¶

In the GitHub issues. For pairing problems, blueferry pairing-issue prepares a scrubbed report; see Report a problem.