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BlueBubbles

Server for forwarding iMessages

CaskCommunicationApple silicon · IntelDisabled
Homepage
From homebrew/cask
30-day installs
0
1-year installs
19.2K
Last 365 days
Latest version
1.9.9
May 16, 2025 · May 16, 2025
Download size
—
arm64 / x86_64 · dmg
Release cadence
Irregular
0 releases in 30 days

BlueBubbles is a Communication app for Mac.

Quick facts

Chips
Apple silicon · Intel
Install
brew install --cask bluebubbles
Homebrew
Disabled by Homebrew
Also known as
bluebubbles

These facts were checked on or after . See each source

About

Server for forwarding iMessages

System requirements

macOSVersionChipsDownloadSource
Build for macOS 27, 26, 15, 14, 13, 12, 111.9.9Intelgithub.com/BlueBubblesApp/bluebubbles-server/releases/download/v1.9.9/BlueBubbles-1.9.9.dmgSHA-256 9681e65f60214a6a95f3bd12b57bd4cc8ad6d8f58cd9c1d8811b2a4606ad7c04HomebrewChecked
Build for macOS 27, 26, 15, 14, 13, 12, 111.9.9Apple silicongithub.com/BlueBubblesApp/bluebubbles-server/releases/download/v1.9.9/BlueBubbles-1.9.9-arm64.dmgSHA-256 fafd650c883f52e7494a6625e45249f2144d197378a4d57143ccf6198bb2e862HomebrewChecked

How to install BlueBubbles on Mac

  1. In Terminal, run: brew install --cask bluebubbles
  2. Homebrew installs the app in your Applications folder.

Install without Homebrew

Download the file Homebrew uses for your chip: Apple siliconIntel

SHA-256 only checks that the download is complete; it is not a security certification. See the SHA-256 and download address

Uninstall BlueBubbles and optional data cleanup

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --cask bluebubbles

A regular uninstall removes the app and keeps its settings and caches.

Uninstalling also removes

Background services (launchctl)
com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.ShipIt
Login items
BlueBubbles

Deep clean (optional)

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --zap --cask bluebubbles

--zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap.

Files BlueBubbles can leave on your Mac (6)
Files and folders
~/Library/Application Support/@bluebubbles
~/Library/Application Support/bluebubbles-server
~/Library/Logs/@bluebubbles
~/Library/Logs/bluebubbles-server
~/Library/Preferences/com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.plist
~/Library/Saved Application State/com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.savedState

These entries come from the Homebrew definition, checked . They say what it declares, not what is on your Mac.

What’s new in 1.9.9

New From Homebrew commits

This release has no separate notes.

See all 1 release

BlueBubbles security facts

Only facts that can be checked, each with its source and date. This is not a safety certification. To check the files you downloaded, scan them on your Mac with OpenNavo.

Distribution
Homebrew
Open source
Yes · github.com/BlueBubblesApp/bluebubbles-server · Apache-2.0Checked
Scan with OpenNavoOpens a scan preview in the OpenNavo app; you decide whether to start it. Learn about Security

Install Details

Tap
homebrew/cask
Download URL
https://github.com/BlueBubblesApp/bluebubbles-server/releases/download/v1.9.9/BlueBubbles-1.9.9-arm64.dmg
SHA-256
fafd650c883f52e7494a6625e45249f2144d197378a4d57143ccf6198bb2e862
Homebrew definition
github.com/homebrew/homebrew-cask/blob/HEAD/Casks/b/bluebubbles.rb
formulae.brew.sh
formulae.brew.sh/cask/bluebubbles

Installation and removal contents

  • Uninstall uninstall

    View full declaration
    {
  "uninstall": [
    {
      "launchctl": "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.ShipIt",
      "login_item": "BlueBubbles",
      "quit": [
        "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server",
        "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.helper",
        "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.helper.GPU",
        "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.helper.Plugin",
        "com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.helper.Renderer",
        "com.bluebubbles.messaging"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

  • Install app

    Source file: BlueBubbles.app

    Declared destination: /Applications/BlueBubbles.app

    View full declaration
    {
  "app": [
    "BlueBubbles.app"
  ],
  "target": "/Applications/BlueBubbles.app"
}

  • Remove user data zap

    View full declaration
    {
  "zap": [
    {
      "trash": [
        "~/Library/Application Support/@bluebubbles",
        "~/Library/Application Support/bluebubbles-server",
        "~/Library/Logs/@bluebubbles",
        "~/Library/Logs/bluebubbles-server",
        "~/Library/Preferences/com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.plist",
        "~/Library/Saved Application State/com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.savedState"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Questions about BlueBubbles

Is BlueBubbles safe?

Homebrew has disabled BlueBubbles (it fails macOS Gatekeeper checks), so it can no longer be installed with Homebrew. It was disabled on Sep 1.

Is BlueBubbles open source?

BlueBubbles’s source code is public on GitHub (BlueBubblesApp/bluebubbles-server) under the Apache-2.0 license.

How do I completely uninstall BlueBubbles on a Mac?

Run brew uninstall --cask bluebubbles. It quits the app, stops 1 background service, and removes 1 login item. To delete its settings and caches as well, run brew uninstall --zap --cask bluebubbles. --zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap. That also deletes 6 files and folders, including ~/Library/Application Support/@bluebubbles.

Does BlueBubbles run on Apple silicon (M1 and later) Macs?

Yes. Homebrew downloads separate builds for Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

Where does BlueBubbles store its settings and data?

Its settings are in ~/Library/Preferences/com.BlueBubbles.BlueBubbles-Server.plist. Its data is in ~/Library/Application Support/@bluebubbles and ~/Library/Application Support/bluebubbles-server. These locations come from Homebrew’s clean-up list.

What is the latest version of BlueBubbles?

The latest version is 1.9.9, added to Homebrew on May 16, 2025. Run brew upgrade --cask bluebubbles to update it.

Sources

Every fact on this page names its source and check date. Facts past their validity read “as of” their date and are no longer stated as current.