Frequently Asked Questions

Troubleshooting

  • SHOUT SMS is an offline-first messaging app enabling end-to-end encrypted communication, with image sending and receiving support via SMS-without data, Internet, MMS, or centralized accounts. It allows you to stay connected securely when Internet is unavailable. 

  • When Internet is unavailable, such as natural disaster, conflict, in rural area, etc. Shout Messages is a good alternative to chat apps that need Internet to work.

  • No. But it is recommended that you download Shout Messages in advanced via Internet. Otherwise, you need to have someone who did and share the apk file with you. 

  • Yes, there is no server so we won’t keep your data.

  • Shout Messages is free to download and use. It will remain free forever. Our development is supported by grants and donations from individuals like you, allowing us to keep our services free and accessible for everyone.

    However, SMS charges will still apply and possibly more than a normal SMS. 

  • No, Shout is only available for Android, and it will stay that way for the foreseeable future because of limitations in how iOS is designed.

    It can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store, from F-Droid, or directly as an APK, to be installed manually.

  • No.

  • As of December 2024, we haven't been able to test Shout systematically on GrapheneOS, so we cannot confirm that all features work properly. However, some users have reported that the main features work properly, If you use GrapheneOS and you experience a problem, please contact us.

  • Currently Shout is available in English. However, we are aiming at making Shout available in languages spoken by communities who express the need for Shout. if you are interested in helping us translate, get in touch.

  • Yes! (TBC)

  • If you delete and reinstall Shout Messages, your encrypted chats will be lost.

    Your regular, unencrypted SMS messages will still be there. Your encrypted messages may still appear, but only as scrambled text (like RU=GKID#BNRYE), and you won’t be able to read the original messages.

  • Try the following:

    1. Make sure you have the latest version of Shout. Go to Google Play, search for “Shout Messages,” and if you see an Update button, tap it.

    2. Try sending each other a regular SMS using your phone’s default messaging app. This helps rule out a problem with your service provider or SIM plan.

    3. Redo the handshake with the person you want to message. To do this, delete the secure chat (the one with the blue heart) and send a new invite.

    4. If it still doesn’t work, get in touch with us.

  • Images take longer because they need more SMS messages to send. While an image is sending, you’ll see a counter in the app (for example, 2/30, 3/30, and so on up to 30/30). This shows how many parts of the image have been sent so far: 2/30 means 2 out of 30 parts.

    The same happens on the recipient’s side. Their app counts up as the parts arrive, and the image is decrypted once all parts are received.

    Wait until the counter reaches the end (for example, 30/30), and check that the numbers are still going up. If they are, your image is still on its way.

    To use fewer SMS messages, try lowering the image’s quality or size.

    If it still doesn’t work, get in touch with us.

  • Right now, there are two kinds of chats in the Shout Messages app: encrypted and unencrypted.

    Here’s how Shout Messages works: Shout encrypts what you type on your device, and only the encrypted text is sent. Your service provider and others can see that the text was sent, but they can’t read it. When it arrives on the other person’s device, it is decrypted and shows what you typed.

    Chats with a 💙 blue heart are encrypted, so only you and your contact can read them.

    Chats without a blue heart are unencrypted, which means your messages can be read by others, such as your service provider.