No phone number
Latchat never asks for one. No accounts, no email addresses, and no passwords. Your identity is simply a secure key generated and kept entirely on your own device.
Because of this, there are no SMS codes to intercept. There are no user directories, which means no spam and no unknown callers. You can only be reached by people already in your group, and they can't see your number either, because you never gave us one to begin with.
Works without internet
When you have a connection, messages travel over the internet just like any ordinary chat app.
But when you lose connection, or the network gets too crowded, phones in your group will automatically pass messages directly to each other via Bluetooth. It works within roughly 30 meters outdoors (a bit less indoors), depending on your device and surroundings.
How you get in
Getting started is incredibly simple
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Somebody adds you
If you're together in person, simply scan a QR code on their screen. That's it.
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Or they send you a link
If you're far apart, they can send you a link. For added security, the link alone won't work: they'll need to read you a secure 16-digit passcode out loud (plus an extra digit to catch any mistakes). The passcode is never sent alongside the link.
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You are in
No numbers to type, no emails to confirm, and absolutely nothing to sign up for.
When it matters
An alarm that reaches everybody
Just hold the SOS button and an alarm goes to everyone in all your groups, even if their phones are on silent. Your location follows the moment your phone can work it out.
The alert goes out over both the internet and Bluetooth simultaneously, because in an emergency, you don't have time to check your connection. It's always available: no paywalls, no hidden settings, and it works the second you install the app.
We won't give you false hope: if a message absolutely cannot go through, the app will tell you immediately when you press the button, not later.
Who it is for
Groups somebody puts together
Built for families, small teams, tours, or any gathering where the organizer knows exactly who belongs in it.
The key is that the organizer knows everyone, not that everyone knows each other. In typical chat apps, joining a tour group means a dozen strangers have your phone number forever. With Latchat, there's no number to share.
Want to chat with just one person? A two-person group works exactly the same way.
Groups are intentionally kept small, up to seven people. For larger gatherings, the organizer can link multiple groups together so messages cross between all of them.
The rest
True end-to-end encryption
Every message is fully end-to-end encrypted. The keys live only on the phones within your group, nowhere else.
We do use a relay server to hold messages temporarily while a receiving phone is asleep. However, this server only handles sealed messages and has zero ability to read them. Everything it can and can't see is clearly explained in plain English in our privacy policy.
If you prefer verifying over trusting, you can read exactly how our encryption works, and what you can check for yourself, on our how it works page.
The limits
Good to know before you start
- Android only. An iOS version is not yet available.
- Not released yet. The app isn't on the Play Store yet, and there's nothing to download from this page right now.
- Seven people per group. Larger gatherings require the organizer to link multiple groups. Since the organizer's phone acts as the bridge, messages between those groups will pause if their phone is turned off.
- Bluetooth requires proximity. If you have no internet and everyone is out of Bluetooth range, your message will simply wait until someone comes close enough or a connection returns.
- Estimated ranges. Our 30-meter open-air estimate is based on early testing. Actual distance depends heavily on your specific device and physical obstacles.
There are no mailing lists to join, and we don't ask for your email. When it ships, it ships.