There are several apps that offer more features and more privacy than iMessage and are officially supported (not relying on unofficial hacks) on every modern smartphone.
I didn’t even know about Element X.
Personally I use Threema (one-time app fee) and Signal (effectively donationware).
There’s of course also WhatsApp, Telegram, SnapChat, (Facebook) Messenger, Instagram, … if the size of the user base is more important to you than privacy.
All of these encourage you to use them, as opposed to iMessage that will actively try to keep you away from it unless you buy the right kind of hardware. So why the hassle?
Like Signal and Element X, right?
I didn’t even know about Element X.
Personally I use Threema (one-time app fee) and Signal (effectively donationware).
There’s of course also WhatsApp, Telegram, SnapChat, (Facebook) Messenger, Instagram, … if the size of the user base is more important to you than privacy.
All of these encourage you to use them, as opposed to iMessage that will actively try to keep you away from it unless you buy the right kind of hardware. So why the hassle?