rustpush

Overview

rustpush is a Rust library that implements Apple's push (APNs), IDS identity, iMessage, FaceTime, Find My and iCloud protocols, so software can act as an Apple device without running Messages on a Mac. It is developed at github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush and powers the OpenBubbles apps for Android and Windows. The code is under the Server Side Public License (SSPL) v1, with an extra exception granted only to OpenBubbles. The README is one line and there are no docs or tagged releases; the latest commit is from 2026-10-12.

Key features

• iMessage in direct and group chats, with tapbacks (including emoji), replies, mentions, edits, unsends, effects and animated text
• Attachments, voice messages, rich link previews and iMessage app balloons that can be updated after sending
• Group names, photos and members, typing indicators, and read and delivery receipts
• Share Name and Photo, chat backgrounds, Send Later and Notify Anyway
• FaceTime calls, Find My, iCloud Shared Albums and Messages in iCloud sync
• SMS through a registered iPhone's text forwarding

Pricing

The source is free to use under SSPL v1, which requires anyone offering its functionality to others as a service to publish the source of their whole service. Registration needs Apple hardware identifiers from a Mac, or an always-on iPhone running a relay app. The module that generates Mac validation data (open-absinthe) is closed source; its public repo is a placeholder stub.

How it compares to Linq

Linq is a managed API with dedicated lines, REST endpoints, signed webhooks, SDKs and SOC 2 Type II, from $260 a month for Pro. rustpush is a library you embed in your own Rust code: there is no hosted service, HTTP API, webhook system or documentation, and you register your own Apple ID and device identity. It covers FaceTime calls, which Linq's API does not place or answer.

Best for

Rust developers building their own iMessage client or bridge who can work from source code alone and accept SSPL terms.

Sources

• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/imessage/messages.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/facetime.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/findmy.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/statuskit.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/ids/identity_manager.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/imessage/name_photo_sharing.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/imessage/cloud_messages.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/sharedstreams.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/relay.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/src/lib.rs
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/Cargo.toml
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/LICENSE
• github.com/OpenBubbles/rustpush/blob/master/LICENSE.exceptions
• github.com/OpenBubbles/OpenAbsinthe-Stub
• openbubbles.app
• openbubbles.app/docs/faq.html
• openbubbles.app/docs/pnr.html
• github.com/OpenBubbles/openbubbles-app/blob/rustpush/rust/Cargo.toml