Apps & Platforms

Freedom Messenger works on your phone, computer, and browser. Choose the app that fits your workflow.

Security note: Freedom Messenger currently encrypts messages on the server (at-rest encryption), but does not yet have end-to-end encryption. This means your server administrator can technically read messages. This applies to all platforms — Android, desktop, and browser. End-to-end encryption is planned for a future release. See Security Transparency for details.

Downloading and Updating Apps

All apps can be downloaded and updated from within Freedom Messenger itself. Go to Settings → Apps tab to see:

  • Your current app version and the server version
  • Available downloads for your platform (Android APK, Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • An "Update" banner at the top of the screen if a newer version is available

If the server has not published platform builds yet, the Apps tab still shows the current app/server version and a "No apps available" state instead of download buttons.

On Android, you can tap "Update App" to download and install the new APK directly. On desktop, the update opens the download in your browser for manual installation.

Google Play distribution is coming soon. For now, download the APK from Settings → Apps inside the messenger.

Android

The native Android app provides the best mobile experience with features that only work on a phone:

  • Background connection — stays connected even after you close the app
  • Native incoming call screen for urgent call rings when Android allows full-screen call UI
  • Server-authorized notifications for messages, tasks, and calls using stable Android notification channels
  • Bluetooth and car audio integration for voice calls

Android 13 and newer ask for notification permission. If permission is denied, the app can still work in the foreground but system notifications will not appear.

Installing the APK

Since the app is not yet on Google Play, you install it as an APK file. Your phone may show a warning about installing from "unknown sources" — this is normal for any app not from the Play Store. You can allow it for this one install.

Desktop

Native desktop apps are available for all three major platforms:

  • macOS — .dmg installer
  • Windows — .exe installer
  • Linux — .AppImage package

Download them from Settings → Apps inside the messenger.

Desktop features include:

  • System tray icon with unread badge
  • Optional autostart on system boot (Settings → Notifications → Autostart)
  • Voice calls with full audio controls
  • File drag-and-drop

Updates are shown as a banner at the top of the app when a new version is available on your server. Click the download button to get the new installer.

Browser

Freedom Messenger works in any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. No installation needed. Simply visit your server's address and log in.

When a new version is available, a reload banner appears at the top — click "Reload" to get the latest version.

Installing as a PWA

You can save the website to your home screen and it works like a regular app — with notifications, full-screen mode, and its own icon. This is called a Progressive Web App (PWA) — think of it as "a website that behaves like an app."

To install:

  1. Chrome (Android): Open the messenger, tap the menu (three dots), select "Add to Home screen"
  2. Safari (iPhone): Open the messenger, tap the Share button, select "Add to Home Screen"
  3. Chrome (Desktop): Click the install icon in the address bar

Once installed, the PWA supports push notifications with browser permission. On iPhone and iPad, push is available only for supported Home Screen web apps, so open the installed icon and allow notifications from there.

iOS

A native iOS app is coming soon. Google Play distribution is also planned. For now, iPhone users can use the browser or install the PWA (see above). For reliable notifications on iOS, install the PWA to the Home Screen and grant notification permission from the installed app.

Which Should I Use?

Feature Android Desktop Browser
Background notifications Yes, with permission Yes With permission
Incoming call ring Call channel / full-screen when allowed Desktop notification and in-app UI Browser notification or in-tab UI
Auto-start On boot Optional No
Bluetooth / car audio Yes No No
Install needed APK from Settings Installer from Settings No

If you are on Android, the native app is recommended. On a computer, the desktop app gives you tray notifications and autostart. If you cannot install anything, the browser works great. You can manage each registered device in Settings → Notifications.