Bug fixes and other improvements We've created an updated version of Beeper Mini that fixes an issue that caused messages not to be sent or received. You can get the update directly from beeper.com/update on your phone. We are still doing some final testing before submitting the update to the Google Play Store for distribution to all users. If you encounter any issues, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app.
Whenever it has to fallback to SMS.
I mean there’s really no other realistic way to enable a single app to utilize two very different communication “protocols” (in quotes, because SMS is only nominally a protocol).
I’ve always though iMessage was the approach to getting away from crappy SMS.
So when Signal did the same, I was very optimistic. It removed a barrier to entry for users by supporting SMS plus an encrypted method for connections that had Signal. And you could enable it to add a signature saying something like “Sent from Signal, this could be an encrypted conversation if you download Signal” or something like that. That was a great idea.
(weird, not sure why these are two comments and it looks like I replied to myself)