Frequently Asked Questions
Does the main Delta Chat project have a FAQ?
Yes, you can access it at https://delta.chat/help.
Is Delta Chat secure?
Yes, Delta Chat is end-to-end encrypted (just like WhatsApp, Signal, etc.),protecting your message content from being read by anyone but you, whether in transit or on this server.
Why should I consider Delta Chat over the others?
The ethos of free and decentralized messaging
Delta Chat is one of many apps that will allow you to send encrypted messages to friends and family for free or a small fee. At their core, all of these messaging platforms provide the ability to send encrypted messages, but many of them rely on a single company operate. These commercial entities dictate the terms of service and while they may not be able to read your messages, some of them do collect and use information about how, when, and with whom you message. In contrast Delta Chat is decentralized - anyone can run a [chatmail][https://github.com/deltachat/chatmail] server and communicate with anyone on any other server. If you don't agree with the way your current host is running things, you can go elsewhere.
Features
Beyond the principles behind Delta Chat is a fully functional and featureful messaging service. With Delta Chat, you can:
- Create anonymous profiles quickly and easily.
- Receive instant push notifications on iOS and Android.
- Create and easily change between multiple profiles, allowing you to separate contacts and messages between work and home, or however you see fit.
- Message on multiple devices on any platform with each device operating independently once setup (e.g. you don't have to have your phone at hand to message on your desktop).
- Audited end-to-end encryption applied to all of your messages.
How do I install the Delta Chat app?
The delta chat app is available for all major platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
You can download the app for your device by following the links at https://get.delta.chat.
How do I create an account with a random address?
This is the default option when creating a Delta Chat address on this server.
Automatically create a new account
- Follow this new account link on the device with Delta Chat installed.
- Enter your desired username (visible to those you chat with).
- Click/tap Agree & Create Profile.
Manually create a new account
- If you have not signed into a Delta Chat account on your device, when you open the app, you will be greeted by the profile creation screen. If you are adding an additional account, click on your avatar and choose Add Profile.
- Click Create New Profile
- Click Use Other Server
- Choose Scan Invitation Code
- Scan the QR Code on the homepage for this site.
How do I create an account with a custom address?
If you would prefer to choose your address/user name, rather than having a random one assigned, you may do so as long as it meets the following requirements:
- It is
eight
to 16
characters in length (excluding the
@dc.snappychat.net part).
- It is not already in use.
- You set a password of at least 16 characters.
To create your new account:
- If you have not signed into a Delta Chat account on your device, when you open the app, you will be greeted by the profile creation screen. If you are adding an additional account, click on your avatar and choose Add Profile.
- Click on Create New Profile
- Click Use Other Server
- Click Classic E-Mail Login
- Under email address, enter your desired address as @dc.snappychat.net, replacing
<user> with your desired address.
- Enter a password of at least 16 characters.
- Click Login.
- If you receive an
AUTHENICATIONFAILED error, it means the address is already in use and you will need to choose another. If you are successful, you will be taken to the "Chats" screen for your new account.
Are there any usage limits?
Not exactly. While there are no limits on usage of Delta Chat, there are some rate and data limits in place to protect this server from becoming overloaded or abused:
- You may send a maximum of 60 messages per minute.
- You can store up to 250M of messages and attachments on the server. If you reach this limit, you can have messages automatically deleted from the server.
- Messages are unconditionally removed 30 days after arriving on the server (they will remain on your device(s) thereafter, unless you remove them, but will not be available for download to a new device - see the sections on backups and transferring to a new device, below).
- This chatmail server is setup such that it can only send and receive encrypted messages to other Delta Chat users. Unencrypted messages will not be sent or received.
How do I create a new chat?
See the Delta Chat documentation on creating a new end-to-end encrypted chat.
How do I backup my account?
It is essential that you backup your account, as this is the only way you can recover your existing account with its current encryption key. Remember to keep this backup safe, anyone that has it can use it to login to your account and send messages as you.
One of the simplest methods to backup your account is to setup your profile on a second device. See below for instructions on this process. Even with this approach, it is wise to save a manual backup someplace safe in the event that both devices are lost.
Create the backup
In the Delta Chat app:
- Go to Settings
- Click on Chats and Media
- Scroll to the bottom and click Export Backup
- Your backup file will be exported to a different location, depending on your device:
- Android: saved to the
Download folder, accessible via the Files app under Internal storage > Download.
- iOS: saved to the
Delta Chat folder within the Files app (under "On My iPad/iPhone", not "iCloud Drive").
- Destop (Linux, Mac, Windows): you will be prompted to choose the folder into which the backup will be saved.
With this backup, you will be able to fully restore your account, including all chats, contacts, and your encryption settings. This backup can be used to setup a new device either as an additional device or as a disaster recovery.
Recover an account from a backup
- If this is the first account on a new device, you will be prompted with the profile creation screen, otherwise, click on your avatar and choose Add Profile.
- Choose I Already Have A Profile
- Choose Restore From Backup
- Within the file picker that opens, navigte to and select the backup from which you want to restore your account.
How do I use the same account on multiple devices?
It is possible to use the same Delta Chat profile on multiple devices simultaneously. This can be accomplished in one of two ways:
- Create and restore a backup, as outlined above.
- Transfer your account settings from an existing device
- Ensure your existing and new devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On the device with the existing account:
- Go to Settings
- Choose Add Second Device - this will create a QR code to be scanned by the new device
- On the new device:
- Click/tap your avatar to bring up the profile menu
- Choose Add Profile
- Choose I Already Have a Profile
- Choose Add as Second Device
- Scan the QR code displayed on the existing device with the new device.
- Confirm you wish to copy the profile to the new device.
- Wait for the transfer - the amount of time this takes depends on the size of your account (i.e. the number of messages that must be transferred).
- Once successfully transferred, you will be taken to the Chats screen of the copied profile.
If you run into issues, see the troubleshooting section from the Delta Chat project.
How do I delete my account?
You cannot manually initiate deletion of your account, but all inactive accounts are automatically removed after 180 days of inactivity. Thus, leaving your account inactive will result in its deletion from the server.
If you wish to allow your account to become inactive, remove the Profile from all devices it is being used on, ensuring no activity will occur on the account. After 180 days, your account and all associated data will automatically be removed.
Who operates this server? What software is running?
This chatmail server is a running a customized email server that has been optimized for instant messaging. It is operated by an individual for the benefit of friends, family, and others that wish to have access to an open and distributed messaging platform.