thank god whatsapp doesn't do that either. or telegram. or allo back in the day, or every single mobile first messaging app

The only one I can think of that doesn't require a mobile login is iMessage, because it's not a chat app, it's lock in and data theft disguised as software

XMPP and Matrix don't require a phone number and have fine mobile apps.

And there's a reason they've achieved precisely zero penetration amongst normies.

A chat app is useless if your friends and family won't use it.

I've actually had good luck getting friends and family on Matrix, after they'd previously used either Facebook Messenger or Hangouts.

I think delta chat is a counter example.