Chat Local Help Center

Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Search for "Chat Local" in the search bar.

Step 3: Tap the "Get" button next to the Chat Local app.

Step 4: Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

Step 5: Wait for the download to complete, then tap "Open" or find the app on your home screen.

Step 6: On first launch, accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to continue.

Chat Local requires the following permissions to function:

• Bluetooth: Required to discover and connect to nearby devices. This is essential for all messaging features.
• Notifications: Optional, but recommended to receive alerts when new messages arrive.

You'll be prompted to grant these permissions when you first open the app. If you declined them, go to Settings → Chat Local → Bluetooth to enable them.

• Open Settings → Bluetooth and ensure Bluetooth is turned ON.
• Chat Local will request permission to use Bluetooth on first launch — tap "OK" to allow.

Tip: For best results, keep Bluetooth on while using Chat Local. The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which has minimal impact on battery life.

Step 1: Tap the "+" button in the top right corner of the Conversations tab.

Step 2: Enter a unique Conversation ID (3-20 characters). This is like a room name — share it with others so they can join.

Step 3: Enter your display name (how others will see you in the chat).

Step 4: Choose the protocol (Bluetooth is currently the only option).

Step 5: (Pro only) Optionally enable end-to-end encryption and set a password.

Step 6: Tap "Join Conversation" to create and enter the chat.

Tip: Choose memorable but unique Conversation IDs like "family-reunion-2026" or "team-blue-concert".

To join an existing conversation, you need to know the Conversation ID:

Step 1: Tap the "+" button in the top right corner of the Conversations tab.

Step 2: Enter the exact Conversation ID that was shared with you.

Step 3: Enter your display name.

Step 4: If the conversation is password-protected, enter the password.

Step 5: Tap "Join Conversation".

You can also join from the Nearby tab — see "Discovering Nearby Chats" below.

The Nearby tab shows active conversations from nearby Chat Local users:

Step 1: Tap the "Nearby" tab at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: The app will scan for nearby devices and display active conversations.

Step 3: You'll see a preview of each conversation (limited messages for Free users).

Step 4: Tap on a conversation to see more details.

Step 5: Tap "Join" to enter the conversation.

Note: Password-protected conversations will appear but require the correct password to read messages or join.

Under your most recent sent message, Chat Local shows what actually happened to it:

• Sending… — the message is being transmitted over Bluetooth.
• Sent — it reached at least one nearby device's radio.
• Received by N devices — that many devices in the conversation confirmed receiving it, including devices reached through mesh relay.
• Not delivered — no one nearby — nobody was in range. The message stays in your history and you can resend it once someone is nearby.

Note: confirmations arrive as other devices acknowledge the message, so the count can climb for a few seconds after sending — and it only counts people who have joined the conversation. Devices running an older version of Chat Local don't send confirmations, so a message can show Sent and still have been read.

Open a conversation and tap the ⋮ menu in the top right:

Search Messages: type any word or phrase to see matching messages with the match highlighted. Tap a result to jump to that message in the conversation.

Export Chat: creates a plain-text transcript of the conversation and opens the iOS share sheet, so you can save it to Files, mail it to yourself, or send it to someone.

Both features require Pro. The transcript contains only what you can see on your device — nothing is uploaded anywhere.

Yes. Chat Local keeps looking for nearby devices and reconnecting to them while the app is in the background and your screen is off, so you can pocket the phone and keep receiving messages.

For the most reliable background messaging:

• Keep Bluetooth enabled (airplane mode is fine as long as Bluetooth is back on).
• Don't force-quit the app by swiping it away — iOS won't restart it in the background.
• Leave Low Power Mode off if you can; iOS throttles Bluetooth scanning in it.

Background delivery can be slightly less immediate than with the app open on screen — that's an iOS scheduling behavior, not a lost message.

To leave a conversation:

• Open the conversation, tap the menu icon (⋮) in the top right.
• Select "Leave Conversation".
• Confirm your choice. You can rejoin later using the same Conversation ID.

To delete a conversation from your device:

• On the Conversations tab, swipe left on the conversation you want to delete.
• Tap the "Delete" button.
• Confirm deletion. This only removes it from your device — others in the conversation are unaffected.

Chat Local uses AES-256-GCM encryption in two tiers — and it's worth understanding the difference:

• Default encryption: Every message is automatically encrypted using keys built into the app. This deters anyone eavesdropping on the airwaves, but because every copy of the app shares these keys, treat it as strong obfuscation rather than secrecy — and note that devices relaying your message run the same app.
• Password encryption (Pro): True end-to-end encryption. The key is derived from your password, so only people who know it can decrypt and read messages — devices that relay them can't. Use this tier for anything sensitive. A lock icon marks every message that was actually sent this way.

Encryption happens on your device before messages are sent, and decryption happens on the receiving device. No servers or third parties are involved at any point. Two things are visible to nearby app users by design: conversation names and sender display names (that's how nearby discovery works) — so name conversations accordingly.

Pro users can create conversations with password protection:

Creating a protected chat:

• When creating a new conversation, toggle "End-to-End Encryption" ON.
• Enter a strong password or tap "Generate" for a random secure phrase.
• Share the password securely with your group (in person, secure messenger, etc.).

Joining a protected chat:

• Enter the Conversation ID and password when joining.
• If you enter the wrong password, you cannot read any messages.

Good to know: You only enter the password once per device — the conversation stays unlocked afterward. The password itself is never stored; a one-way key derived from it is kept in your device's secure Keychain.

Important: We cannot recover forgotten passwords. If you lose the password (you'll still need it to invite others), create a new conversation.

Chat Local is designed with privacy as a core principle:

• No accounts: We don't collect your email, phone number, or personal information.
• No servers: Messages travel directly between devices. We have no servers to store or access your conversations.
• Local storage: Messages are stored only on your device. Uninstalling the app removes all data.
• No tracking: We don't track your location, contacts, or usage patterns.
• Crash reports: Anonymous crash reports help us fix bugs. No personal data is included.

Read our full Privacy Policy for complete details.

Pro users can block specific users or devices to prevent receiving their messages:

To block a user:

• In a conversation, tap and hold on a message from the user you want to block.
• Select "Block User" from the menu.
• Confirm the block. You will no longer see messages from this user.

To manage blocked users:

• Go to Settings → Blocked Users.
• View your blocked list and tap "Unblock" to remove blocks.

Note: Blocking is local to your device. The blocked user can still send messages, but you won't see them.

Pro users can customize the app's appearance under Settings → Appearance:

• Theme — 10+ designed bubble themes; your selection applies immediately.
• Chat Background — 8 backgrounds, each with a light and a dark version.
• Color-Code Senders — gives everyone in a conversation their own bubble color. Tap any person's name above their message to pick a specific color for them.
• Mode — Light, Dark, or match your device.

Customize how and when Chat Local notifies you:

Step 1: Go to Settings → Notifications.

Step 2: Toggle notifications on or off for different events:

• New messages in your conversations
• New nearby conversations discovered
• Keyword alerts (Pro) — get notified when specific words are mentioned

System settings: You can also manage notifications in your device's Settings → Apps → Chat Local → Notifications.

Control how profanity is handled in conversations:

Free users: The profanity filter is enabled by default and cannot be changed.

Pro users:

• Go to Settings → Content Filters.
• Toggle "Profanity Filter" on or off.
• When enabled, profanity is automatically replaced with asterisks (****).

Note: The filter only affects how messages display on your device. Other users see messages based on their own filter settings.

Chat Local Pro unlocks powerful features:

• Unlimited conversations: Create or join as many conversations as you want (Free: 2).
• Extended history: See 500 messages per conversation (Free: 20).
• Password encryption: Secure conversations with custom passwords.
• Message search: Find any message in a conversation and jump straight to it.
• Chat export: Share or save a full transcript of a conversation.
• Block users: Prevent specific users from messaging you.
• Themes, backgrounds & sender colors: Personalize the app's appearance.
• Profanity control: Toggle the profanity filter on or off.
• Faster messaging: Reduced rate limits between messages.

Pricing: $4.99/month or $29.99/year (cancel anytime), or $59.99 for a one-time lifetime purchase (early adopter discount).

Upgrade in the app under Settings → Upgrade to Pro.