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SimpleX Chat: secure messenger

SimpleX Chat: secure messenger

Privacy redefined: no user IDs

274 ratings
210 reviews
🌐 Social Networking
Free

Details

Released
March 8, 2022
Updated
September 29, 2026

Features

Developer

SimpleX Chat
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SimpleX Chat: secure messenger screenshot #1 for iPhone
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SimpleX Chat: secure messenger screenshot #7 for iPhone
SimpleX Chat: secure messenger screenshot #8 for iPhone
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About

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

✓No user identifiers
✓End-to-end encrypted messages
✓Disappearing messages
✓Incognito mode
✓Encrypted file and voice messages
✓Secret chat groups
✓Encrypted portable chat database
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What users say about SimpleX Chat

Reviews of SimpleX Chat are mixed: the Social Networking app is rated 4.3/5 from 274 App Store ratings. What users like most: end-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security, no phone number or personal data required. Top complaints: frequent app crashes and instability, delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common). Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • 🔒End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
  • 🔐No phone number or personal data required
  • 👤Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
  • 🚀Fast message delivery when working properly
  • 🎯Decentralized and open-source architecture
  • 📱Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows)
  • 🔄Disappearing/auto-delete messages
  • 💬Group chat functionality
  • 📞Video and voice calling capabilities
  • 🎨Clean and polished interface
  • ⚡Quick setup process

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent app crashes and instability
  • 📬Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
  • ⌨️Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
  • 🔌Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
  • 📱iPad version not optimized
  • 🎨Cluttered UI with hard-to-read message posters
  • 🔧Complex user interface for non-technical users
  • 📞Call functionality unreliable with delays
  • 🔄Device migration process tedious and confusing
  • ⚙️Server configuration issues not working properly
  • 🐢Windows desktop version very slow and laggy
  • ♿Poor accessibility for visually impaired users
  • 🔊Audio input selection broken (AirPods incompatible)
  • 🔍Search for groups feature missing or broken
  • 🤖Bots joining private groups without invitation
  • 📊Large group chats (300+ members) extremely buggy
See all reviews

What's New in SimpleX Chat

7.0.3

September 29, 2026

New in v7.0-7.0.3. SimpleX public names for channels and businesses (BETA). Better channels: - Promote subscribers to contributors. - Publish your channel on your website. - Verify security code with contributors. - Wider messages, easier to read. - Host your own chat relays. Add a longer description to your profile. Simplified app settings. Read more about SimpleX Names: https://simplex.chat/blog/20260722-simplex-public-names.html

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User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Storage issues

There is a lot to love about this app and security but storage is a huge issue on the iPhone. The database grows but never shrinks and there is no way to shrink the database without deleting the app and app data. If you delete the app data you also permanently lose your contacts and chats. Very difficult to back up a large database so not many options but to start over. Simplex should shrink the database dynamically.
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BBryan--

Good but needs a iPad version

I love the app and it’s so easy to use but it needs a iPad version I was thinking of investing but I will hold off until a iPad version is released
TThomasTheCat=)

Great Potential but Many Critical Issues

I love the concept of this app and think it has amazing potential, however there are several bugs and/or features that need to be addressed. I know there’s a long backlog on GitHub containing the bug/feature requests, but the biggest issue in my opinion is with push notifications not working half the time when the app is in the background and seemingly not at all when it’s closed. This applies to audio/video calls & messages. If this can be fixed, along with a more updated user interface & support for all emoji reactions - I’ll upgrade my review to a 5.
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CCamerapersonguy

Problem With The App

The app keeps glitching and crashing and when you try to upload big files after compressing them it keeps failing them and the app is skipping messages as well. This needs to be rectified a asap
M7Madmax 7

The core product and privacy features are great but the iOS app needs work

This app deserves 5 stars for the privacy features, including the encrypted voice/video calls. Much better and more reliable than Session, and we can trust that it’s going to be around long term. But there are numerous UI/UX bugs in this app that make it awkward to use. If they’re VC funded, they should have the bandwidth to solve these very basic issues that should come up with normal usage. Once those are fixed, this would be a clear 5 star app.
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Wwjdiii
See 205 more reviews

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

19 issues

App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)

Bug

Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26

Bug

Messages not appearing until app is opened

Bug

Notifications not working despite correct settings

Bug

Chat freezing and lag on iPhone

Bug

QR code scanning not working on iPad

Bug

Desktop-phone sync connection failures

Bug

Auto-delete messages interrupting voice recordings

Bug

Typing inserts extra characters

Bug

iOS 17 keyboard autofill interferes with typing

Bug

Chat object unresponsive but moveable (delete)

Bug

Backup restoration key confirmation fails if contact offline

Bug

Server switching not reflected in chats

Bug

Cannot change sending server for stuck messages

Bug

Connection errors when creating chat links

Bug

Video upload takes hours

Bug

Call notifications appearing in Russian

Bug

Random photo auto-attachment during typing

Bug

Unable to unsend or delete sent attachments

Bug
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Requested Features

14 requests

Read receipts option

Feature

Typing indicators

Feature

Bot maker feature like Telegram

Feature

Multiple image attachment with descriptions

Feature

Better emoji reaction selection

Feature

Mac desktop app

Feature

Web app (PWA)

Feature

iPad optimization

Feature

Improved group discovery/search

Feature

Global self-destruct message settings

Feature

Pin photos in group welcome messages

Feature

Chinese input method support

Feature

Ringing tone during calls

Feature

Speakerphone launch option before call pickup

Feature

FAQ

What is SimpleX Chat?

SimpleX Chat is a messaging application designed for maximum privacy. It is the first messaging network that does not use any user identifiers, not even random numbers, making it 100% private by design. It offers end-to-end encrypted communication for messages, files, and calls.

What are the key privacy features of SimpleX Chat?

Key privacy features include the absence of user IDs, end-to-end encrypted messages with editing and deletion, disappearing messages, incognito mode, and secret chat groups where only members know the group exists. Your profile and contacts are stored only on your device.

How do I connect with people on SimpleX Chat?

You can connect with others by sharing a one-time invitation link or a long-term public address. No phone numbers, emails, or passwords are required to start sending messages instantly.

Is SimpleX Chat free to use?

Yes, SimpleX Chat is completely free to use. The application does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, and it operates on a free monetization model.

Can I transfer my chat history to a new device?

Yes, SimpleX Chat features an encrypted portable chat database. This allows you to transfer your chat contacts and history securely to another device, ensuring you don't lose your conversations.