# HomeChat — Защищённый семейный мессенджер

> Secure, encrypted one-on-one messenger with no personal data required. (iPhone/iPad app by Hash and Joy, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homechat/id6761311344 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hash and Joy, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864710187)
- Category: Social Networking, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 78 MB
- Languages: American English, Russian
- Released: 2026-06-13
- Data updated: 2026-09-22
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homechat/id6761311344/reviews.md

## What is HomeChat?

HomeChat is a secure messenger with full end-to-end encryption.

Exclusively private one-on-one communication — no groups, no channels.

Who HomeChat is for:
- Family and loved ones
- Lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs
- Crypto traders
- Anyone who doesn't trust big platforms

PRIVACY

HomeChat encrypts everything — text, media, reactions, and call signals — directly on your device. The server does not store messages and never has access to your conversations. Decrypting data without the keys on your device is impossible. Own built-in tunnel

- No phone number, email, or personal data required to register
- No ads or third-party analytics
- No personal data collection
- Encrypted media files are automatically deleted from the server after 7 days
- Delete your account at any time with one tap
- App PIN — independent cryptographic protection, separate from the phone passcode. Without the correct PIN, app content is inaccessible even on an unlocked device
- Panic code — instantly and irreversibly destroys all data within the app with no trace and no possibility of recovery

FEATURES

- Text messages, photos, videos, audio, documents (max file size — 100 MB)
- Video messages (video circles)
- Voice calls
- Video calls
- Message reactions — (not available in Telegram's Secret Chats)
- Statuses: sent → delivered → read
- Presence indicators: online / offline / removed from contacts
- Custom stickers, ringtones, and wallpapers
- Light and dark theme support
- Ability to chat during a call

SECURITY

Encryption protocols:
- X3DH + Double Ratchet (Signal protocol) on Apple CryptoKit
- AES-256-GCM for all data types
- Ed25519 for signing, X25519 for key exchange
- Forward Secrecy — compromising one key doesn't reveal past conversations

Calls:
- WebRTC over self-hosted STUN/TURN servers
- Direct P2P connection via STUN (when possible), TURN as a fallback channel
- Call signaling (IP addresses, SDP) is additionally encrypted
- DTLS/SRTP protection for the voice stream

Transport:
- WSS (WebSocket Secure) + TLS + Certificate Pinning (SPKI) — protection against MITM attacks

On-device data:
- Messages stored in an encrypted SQLite database
- Session keys in the iOS Keychain (ThisDeviceOnly)
- Media files excluded from iCloud backups
- Session rollback protection (used encryption keys are destroyed immediately and cannot be recovered)

Push notifications:
- Message content never enters the push payload
- VoIP Push only carries the caller's identifier

NOTES
- Works in Russia
- Your account and all your chats are tied to a single device
- Push notifications and VoIP calls work in the background
- Supports iPhone and iPad

## Key features

- End-to-end encryption
- One-on-one communication only
- No personal data required
- Encrypted calls and media
- Customizable themes and stickers
- App PIN and panic code


## Frequently asked questions about HomeChat

### Does HomeChat have ads?

No, HomeChat is completely ad-free. The description explicitly states 'No ads or third-party analytics' and the app is free to download and use.

### What makes HomeChat secure?

HomeChat uses robust encryption protocols like X3DH + Double Ratchet (Signal protocol) and AES-256-GCM for all data. It also features on-device encryption, secure transport protocols, and advanced security measures like certificate pinning.

### Can I use HomeChat without a phone number?

Yes, HomeChat does not require a phone number, email, or any personal data for registration, enhancing user privacy.

### How does HomeChat handle media files?

Encrypted media files can be sent with a maximum size of 100 MB and are automatically deleted from the server after 7 days. They are also excluded from iCloud backups.

### What are the privacy features of HomeChat?

HomeChat offers end-to-end encryption for all communications, no personal data collection, automatic media deletion, and an app PIN for added security. It also includes a panic code to instantly destroy all data.

### Is HomeChat available on multiple devices?

HomeChat is currently available for iPhone and iPad. Your account and all chats are tied to a single device.

### How often is HomeChat updated?

The app was last updated on August 4, 2026, indicating a recent update. The version number is 2.1.

### What is the age rating for HomeChat?

HomeChat has an age rating of 12+, making it suitable for users aged 12 and above.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2 — 2026-08-30

Own built-in tunnel keeps your connections stable, reliable, always — even on tricky networks.
Smoother, more reliable reconnections after switching networks or returning to the app
Fixed occasional chat scrolling glitches
Various bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.1 — 2026-08-04

Files are removed from the server right after delivery. Once the download completes on the recipient's device, the server deletes its copy — usually within a minute. The 7-day limit now applies only to files that could never be delivered (for example, if the recipient stays offline); after that, the copy is permanently erased.
In a chat: Swipe to reply and delete, swipe left to reply, swipe right to delete.
Minor bug fixes and general performance improvements.

### 2.0 — 2026-07-28

Global security changes

App PIN — independent lock, cryptographically protecting messages, media, and sessions. The encryption key exists only with the correct PIN and is wiped when the app backgrounds. Data is reliably protected — even if the phone is unlocked and falls into the wrong hands, without entering the app PIN the content is encrypted and inaccessible.

Panic code — silently wipes all data within the app (contacts, messages, media), keeping the account registered. Data in other apps is not affected. Recovery is impossible — the encryption key is destroyed along with the data.

Secure Enclave hardening — identity key operations now require Face ID / Touch ID / device passcode. Applies on new  installs of the app.

Avatar encryption — each user's profile picture is encrypted with a separate random AES-GCM key unique to that user. The key is shared only with contacts who have added them.

Minor fixes — improved overall stability and smoothness.

### 1.6.6 — 2026-07-22

Improved iPad design: contacts and chat are now visually separated
Fixed top bar flickering on the main screen during connection establishment
Fixed contact list update issues
Overall stability and performance improvements
Added subtle animations in chat and during loading

### 1.6.5 — 2026-07-01

Added automatic database backup and recovery (all data stored locally on device, never leaves your phone).
Improved call stability.
Fixed data handling issues.

## Apps similar to HomeChat

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [X2Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x2chat/id6759472435) | — | Free | Social Networking |
| [Sogool - Secure Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sogool-secure-messenger/id6768185122) | — | Free | Social Networking |
| [discreed – Private Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/discreed-private-chat/id6757497574) | — | Free | Social Networking |
| [One to One Secret Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-to-one-secret-chat/id6798763230) | — | Free | Social Networking |
| [Secure Chats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secure-chats/id6780539957) | — | Free | Social Networking |
| [Qlavis: Post-Quantum Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qlavis-post-quantum-messenger/id6757257934) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Social Networking |

## More apps by Hash and Joy, LLC

- [Sync and Calm](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sync-and-calm/id6810115816)
- [PIN Vault](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pin-vault/id6810301347)

All apps by Hash and Joy, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1864710187

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*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 2026-09-22.*
