# Ekko Chat — Multi-transport Private Chat

> Secure, multi-transport encrypted messaging with offline and decentralized options. (iPhone/iPad app by Chris Ross.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ekko-chat/id6760432093 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chris Ross](https://appshunter.io/developer/1458925714)
- Category: Social Networking, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 65 MB
- Languages: English, French, Russian, Chinese, Spanish
- Released: 2026-04-02
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ekko-chat/id6760432093/reviews.md

## What is Ekko Chat?

Ekko is a chat messenger that delivers your messages through six independent transport paths. If one is blocked, your message finds another way.

  No phone number. No email. No account. Your identity is a cryptographic key pair generated on your device and never shared with anyone — not even us. Add contacts by scanning QR codes when you meet in person. This is how trust should work.

  ENCRYPTED BY DEFAULT
  Every message is end-to-end encrypted before it leaves your device. Text, photos, documents, GIFs, and files are all protected. Not even Ekko can read your conversations.

  WORKS WITHOUT INTERNET
  Ekko uses Bluetooth Low Energy to exchange messages with nearby contacts automatically. Walk past someone at a coffee shop and pending messages deliver silently — no cell tower, no Wi-Fi required. When
  contacts aren't nearby, messages route through the internet via five other transport methods.

  SIX TRANSPORT PATHS
  - Bluetooth: Nearby offline delivery within 100 meters
  - Mesh Gossip: Messages forwarded by nearby peers
  - Distributed Hash Table: Decentralized serverless routing
  - Tor Onion: High-privacy delivery
  - Peer Link: Fast QUIC-based direct connections
  - Private Relay: Always-on encrypted push delivery

  Each message automatically finds the best available path. The transport dashboard shows you exactly how every message traveled.

  GROUP CONVERSATIONS
  Create encrypted group chats, invite contacts, share files, and set disappearing message timers for the entire group. Member management lets you add or remove participants at any time.

  DISAPPEARING MESSAGES
  Set messages to self-destruct after 5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. Once gone, they cannot be recovered.

  SHARE MEDIA SECURELY
  Send photos from your camera or gallery, browse and send animated GIFs, attach documents and files of any type — all encrypted end-to-end. An inline attachment menu gives you quick access to Files, Photos,
  Camera, and GIF search without leaving the conversation.

  PRIVATE RELAY SERVER
  Subscribe to a dedicated relay server for instant push delivery when you and your contacts aren't nearby. Messages are stored encrypted on the relay — it cannot read them. Invite contacts to share your relay for mutual always-on delivery.

  VERIFY CONTACTS
  Compare cryptographic fingerprints in person or through a trusted channel to verify that your contact is who they claim to be. No certificate authorities, no central trust — just mathematics.

  TRANSPARENT NETWORKING
  The transport dashboard gives you full visibility into how your messages travel. See which transports are active, how many network peers you're connected to, and which path delivered each individual
  message. An in-chat legend explains every transport and status icon.

  YOUR DATA, YOUR DEVICE
  All data stays on your device. There is no cloud sync, no analytics, no tracking, and no telemetry. Export an encrypted backup anytime for device transfers. Delete everything with a single tap.

  BIOMETRIC UNLOCK
  Secure the app with Face ID or fingerprint authentication on supported devices for fast, convenient access.

  BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED PRIVACY
  Ekko is designed for journalists, activists, travelers, and anyone who believes private communication is a fundamental right. Whether you're in a restrictive environment where traditional messengers are
  monitored, or you simply want conversations that stay between you and your contacts, Ekko ensures your messages always find a way.

Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Multi-transport message delivery
- End-to-end encryption
- Offline messaging via Bluetooth
- No account or personal info required
- Disappearing messages
- Encrypted group chats
- Transparent networking dashboard

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Relay Monthly Subscription | $6.99 | per month |
| Annual Relay Standard Subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| Premium Relay Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Annual Relay Premium Subscription | $99.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ekko-chat/id6760432093/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Cool

*2026-06-03*

Please add Russian

### 5/5 — Great private chat

*2026-04-04*

Awesome private chat app that puts control in the user’s hands.

**Developer response:** Thank you for the review!

## Frequently asked questions about Ekko Chat

### What makes Ekko Chat's messaging secure?

Ekko Chat ensures security through end-to-end encryption for all messages, including text, photos, and files. Your identity is a cryptographic key pair generated on your device, and messages are protected before leaving your device, meaning not even Ekko can read your conversations.

### How does Ekko Chat work without an internet connection?

Ekko Chat utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy for offline message delivery to nearby contacts within 100 meters. This allows messages to be exchanged silently without requiring cell towers or Wi-Fi, making it useful in areas with limited connectivity.

### What are the different transport paths Ekko Chat uses?

Ekko Chat employs six independent transport paths: Bluetooth for nearby offline delivery, Mesh Gossip for peer forwarding, Distributed Hash Table for decentralized routing, Tor Onion for high-privacy delivery, Peer Link for fast direct connections, and Private Relay for always-on push delivery.

### Can I create group chats with Ekko Chat?

Yes, Ekko Chat allows you to create encrypted group chats. You can invite contacts, share files, and set disappearing message timers for the entire group, with member management for adding or removing participants.

### Does Ekko Chat have ads?

No, Ekko Chat does not contain advertisements. The application is free to use and does not display any ads to its users.

### What are the subscription options for Ekko Chat's Private Relay?

Ekko Chat offers several subscription plans for its Private Relay service, including Standard Relay Monthly ($6.99/P1M), Premium Relay Monthly ($12.99/P1M), Annual Relay Standard ($69.99/P1Y), and Annual Relay Premium ($99.99/P1Y).

### How do I verify contacts in Ekko Chat?

Contact verification in Ekko Chat is done by comparing cryptographic fingerprints in person or through a trusted channel. This method ensures you are communicating with the intended contact without relying on certificate authorities or central trust.

### What is the age rating for Ekko Chat?

Ekko Chat has an age rating of 17+. This rating is typically associated with apps that may contain mature themes or content not suitable for younger audiences.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 2.0.14 — 2026-06-10

- Added language preferences with support for English, Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, and Russian.
  - Added a first-run language selection step during onboarding.
  - Localized onboarding, contacts, chat, groups, relay, permissions, subscription, and major settings flows.
  - Fixed an onboarding issue where screens could appear blank after choosing a language.
  - Included smaller UI, stability, and permission-flow polish across the app.

### 2.0.13 — 2026-06-02

- Added contact key data sharing so contacts can be added without scanning a QR code.
  - You can now copy your contact key data from the QR code screen.
  - The Add Contact flow now supports pasting contact key data manually.
  - Improved guidance when a fingerprint is pasted instead of contact key data.

### 2.0.12 — 2026-05-11

Performance improvements and visual optimizations to improve the overall user experience

### 1.0 — 2026-04-02

No release notes.

## More apps by Chris Ross

- [Tweek](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tweek/id1458925715)

All apps by Chris Ross: https://appshunter.io/developer/1458925714

## Related topics

[ekko chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ekko-chat) · [private chat app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/private-chat-app) · [sands encrypted chat app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sands-encrypted-chat-app) · [private chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/private-chat)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*