Multi-client

From the Delta Chat FAQ.

Multi-client

Can I use Delta Chat on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. You can use the same profile on different devices:

• Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi or network

• On the first device, go to Settings → Add Second Device, unlock the screen if needed and wait a moment until a QR code is shown

• On the second device, install Delta Chat

• On the second device, start Delta Chat, select Add as Second Device, and scan the QR code from the old device

• Transfer should start after a few seconds and during transfer both devices will show the progress. Wait until it is finished on both devices.

In contrast to many other messengers, after successful transfer, both devices are completely independent. One device is not needed for the other to work.

Troubleshooting

• Double-check both devices are in the same Wi-Fi or network

• On Windows, go to “Control Panel / Network and Internet” and make sure, Private Network is selected as “Network profile type” (after transfer, you can change back to the original value)

• On iOS, make sure “System Settings / Apps / Delta Chat / Local Network” access is granted

• On macOS, enable “System Settings / Privacy & Security / Local Network / Delta Chat”

• Your system might have a “personal firewall”, which is known to cause problems (especially on Windows). Disable the personal firewall for Delta Chat on both ends and try again

• Guest Networks may not allow devices to communicate with each other. If possible, use a non-guest network.

• If you still have troubles using the same network, try to open Mobile Hotspot on one device and join that Wi-Fi from the other one

• Ensure there is enough storage on the destination device

• If transfer started, make sure, the devices stay active and do not fall asleep. Do not exit Delta Chat. (we try hard to make the app work in background, but systems tend to kill apps, unfortunately)

• Delta Chat is already logged in on the destination device? You can use multiple profiles per device, just add another profile

• If you still have problems or if you cannot scan a QR code try the manual transfer described below

Manual Transfer

This method is only recommended if “Add Second Device” as described above does not work.

• On the old device, go to Settings → Chats → Export Backup. Enter your screen unlock PIN, pattern, or password. Then you can click on “Start Backup”. This saves the backup file to your device. Now you have to transfer it to the other device somehow.

• On the new device, select I Already Have a Profile → Restore from Backup. If you use iOS and encounter difficulties, this guide might help you.

You are now synchronized, and can use both devices for sending and receiving end-to-end encrypted messages with your communication partners.

Are there any plans for introducing a Delta Chat Web Client?

• There are no immediate plans but some preliminary thoughts.
• There are 2-3 avenues for introducing a Delta Chat Web Client, but all are significant work. For now, we focus on getting stable releases into all app stores (Google Play/iOS/Windows/macOS/Linux repositories) as native apps.
• If you need a Web Client, because you are not allowed to install software on the computer you work with, you can use the portable Windows Desktop Client, or the AppImage for Linux. You can find them on get.delta.chat.