BlueFerry is a new open-source Linux application that allows you to send and receive iMessage and SMS messages from an iPhone directly on your desktop via Bluetooth. The project offers a particularly interesting alternative for those who use a Linux computer with an iPhone, as it doesn't require a Mac to act as an intermediary, cloud services, proxy servers, an Apple account, or a subscription.
Once the iPhone is paired with the Linux system, received messages appear directly on the desktop , and you can reply directly from the conversations. You can also send new messages to phone numbers, Apple ID email addresses associated with iMessage, or synced contacts. BlueFerry also allows you to sync iPhone contacts and, optionally, mirror other phone notifications.
BlueFerry brings iMessage and SMS to the Linux desktop via Bluetooth
One of the most interesting aspects of BlueFerry is that it operates entirely through a direct Bluetooth connection to the iPhone. The project doesn't require a Mac as a bridge , nor does it depend on external services to transmit messages between the phone and the computer. This allows for local communication between the two devices.
The application has native clients for GNOME, KDE, and Quickshell. All of them use the same local backend, so matchmaking information, contacts, preferences, and message history are shared regardless of the graphical interface used. There is also a command-line interface that allows you to view and send messages, sync contacts, delete history, and run diagnostics.
Regarding its internal workings, BlueFerry uses three different Bluetooth technologies. MAP over OBEX handles message management, checking the inbox, reading messages, and sending messages. PBAP over OBEX provides contacts in vCard format, while Apple Notification Center Service via Bluetooth LE allows for receiving additional iPhone notifications and, in certain situations, obtaining enough information to identify participants in group conversations that might otherwise be ambiguous.
BlueFerry has some important limitations.
The project is still in a very early stage and there are several limitations to keep in mind. BlueFerry only recognizes messages viewed since the pairing, so it doesn't function as a browser for Messages history stored in iCloud, nor can it download an existing history archive.
It also currently lacks support for attachments, reactions, typing indicators, FaceTime, and calls. You also cannot access the full history of sent messages. Therefore, while it allows you to use iMessage and SMS from Linux, it doesn't yet provide all the features available in the iPhone's Messages app.
Privacy is another aspect the project has taken into account. By default, locally stored message history and synchronized contacts are encrypted using a randomly generated key, which is stored in GNOME Keyring or KDE Wallet. It's also possible to choose to store data locally without encryption or to completely disable data retention, so that new events are only temporary.
BlueFerry launches with support for Arch Linux
Currently, BlueFerry is only available for Arch Linux . The repository provides a build script that generates four separate Pacman packages: the BlueFerry backend, the GTK client, the Qt client, and the Quickshell client. The dependencies are sourced from the official Arch Linux repositories, without using the AUR or PyPI.
The pairing process works similarly to any other Bluetooth accessory. After launching one of the graphical clients, you need to pair the iPhone from the Linux Bluetooth settings and confirm the code displayed on both devices. Then, from the iPhone's Bluetooth settings, you need to enable the features to display message notifications and sync contacts to the Linux computer.
Once this process is complete, BlueFerry can automatically reconnect after Bluetooth connection interruptions. This keeps your iPhone and computer synchronized without having to manually repeat the pairing process each time the connection is temporarily lost.
A promising project for iPhone and Linux users
The developers warn that BlueFerry's functionality depends on the Bluetooth behavior exposed by iOS, so future changes made by Apple could affect its compatibility. Furthermore, because it is a very recent project, it is not yet recommended as the sole means of receiving important messages.
Despite these limitations, BlueFerry offers a particularly interesting solution for those who use Linux and an iPhone simultaneously . The project is released under the GPL-2.0-only license and provides its source code along with documentation on its architecture, the protocols used, and the tests performed. Its ability to access iMessage and SMS directly from Linux via Bluetooth, without a Mac, cloud storage, or subscriptions, makes it a proposal worth keeping an eye on.