Threema

Threema is an instant messaging software that prioritizes user privacy and security. It doesn't require users' phone numbers or email addresses, instead generating a unique ID for each user. Users can add contacts from over 175 regions and countries, communicating through text, emoticons, voice, video, and other diverse methods to share life's moments and various files, and connect with like-minded friends. The software is completely ad-free and does not collect users' private data or chat logs. It regularly reviews user profiles and protects user account security, ensuring a safe and secure user experience.

Features of Threema:

Encrypted Chats: All the chats and calls will be encrypted; nobody can steal your data or look into your private conversations without your permission. Make sure to enable end-to-end encryption in the chats from the settings.

Secure Audio/Video Calls: You can make secured video and voice calls with your friends. It also supports conference calls where you can add up to 16 members on a single call.

Create & Conduct Polls: If you have multiple opinions on a single topic, you can create a poll in the group and let everybody vote about their personal decisions. With the Polls, you can pick a movie, a location to visit, or who should pay the bills.

Support Group Chats: It supports group chats where you can virtually collaborate with hundreds of your close friends. You can send messages, videos, and stickers in group chats to make the conversation even more enjoyable.

Multiple Themes: You can switch between the multiple themes; in the settings, you’ll find a dozen exciting pieces that you can download and apply on the messenger. It also has light and dark modes to switch the themes accordingly.

User Reviews of Threema:

Works well, anonymous, and I assume it's "secure". However it's missing some nice (essential?) features like automatic disappearing messages and emoji reactions. UPDATE: Storage Management now includes auto-delete of messages based on age. Thank you! UPDATE 2: Emoji reactions! It's got all my favorite little features now.

Threema is an amazing communication platform. However, I've been recently locked out of my account and I've been asked to provide my passphrase which I don't remember creating one during the time I was setting up my Threema ID. So, now my question is, how do I recover my account?

Consistently exceeds expectations! I have used Threema for years and, if they had stayed with the earliest versions of the app, I'd still purchase it! In addition to the encryption and security, they have continually added features that aren't seen elsewhere with the encryption and security Threema provides. If someone with whom I regularly communicate does not already have it, I purchase it for them. For everything Threema provides, especially at the price, it's ludicrous to not have it!

Can't recommend this enough. The only thing it's missing is self destructing messages, but that's not really as reliable as you might think. You should always be careful of the things you send no matter what and that you full trust the person on the other end. If you care about your security and still want group texts, then Theema is the absolute best messaging app for you. Not having to tie your phone number or email to your account is a huge plus for me, while for some people it's nice to be able to see all of your pre-existing contacts (which you can still totally do if you want) I prefer not to just have people be able to find me like that. I had some of my friends downloaded it (I even paid for some of them to get it, because it's that good) and walked them through skipping adding their phone number and email, had them add a master password (which you have to enter when you turn your phone on; optional) and PIN. You can set the PIN for individual chats. I have one group with 10 people who exchange books with each other. There are polls, now there's video chat to compliment the phone calls, you can transfer your account between phones, there's a web client, the servers are in Switzerland, end-to-end encryption by default, you can verify and add your contacts phones by scanning their QR code to avoid "man in the middle" attacks, and best of all you can just totally ditch your account; delete everything and start over whenever you want with a new anonymous ID. Seriously, I cannot stress it enough, if you genuinely care about security you need to buy this app and get your contacts to but it. Sure you can get Signal, which is tied to your phone number (not to mention gets part of its funding from the State Department and has a broken desktop app that stores everything in plain texts files) or WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook and probably collects your data to sell you garbage) for free, but your paying for the real thing when you get Threema.

FAQs of Threema:

What makes Threema Safe secure?

Threema Safe encrypts the backup data using the password you specify. To derive a cryptographic key from the password, the scrypt algorithm is used. This algorithm is memory- and computation-intensive in order to render brute-force attacks challenging. It is, of course, still important to choose a secure password. The compressed backup data is encrypted using the NaCl library, which applies the XSalsa20 and Poly1305 algorithms.The backup’s file name is also derived from the user’s password. Therefore, the Threema Safe server cannot determine which backup belongs to which ID. Finding (and, of course, decrypting) the backup of a given ID is only possible if the backup’s password is known.Threema Safe is optional, and you can store backups either on the Threema server or on your own server.

Which backups are available?

Threema offers different backup options for different use cases. In the following documents, you will find information about when to use which backup. You will also find a step-by-step guide how to carry out the backups.

Why is it important to export my ID?

Every user creates a unique, random Threema ID when setting up Threema for the first time. If you lose your smartphone or buy a new device, you need an export (i.e., a backup that contains the public and private key) of your Threema ID. We recommend to immediately enable Threema Safe or create an ID export after creating a new Threema ID.

I’ve got a new phone number – What to do?

In contrast to other messengers, your identity in Threema is not dependent on a phone number. Irrespective of the SIM card / phone number you’re using or in which country you are, your Threema ID stays the same and everyone can still reach you. Your existing chats are unaffected by a change of your phone number as well.Do you have a new phone number and don’t use the old, linked one anymore? Simply delete the old number in the “My Profile” (Android) or “Profile” (iOS) tab and type in the new one – your ID is now linked to the right number.

How can I unlink my Threema ID from an email address or phone number?

If you want to remove a phone number or email address that’s linked to your Threema ID, simply navigate to “My Profile” (Android) or “Profile” (iOS), tap on the number or email address, and remove it.If you no longer have access to the respective ID, you can remove the account link online. To complete this process, you must have access to the linked email or phone number.

Conclusion:

Threema ensures that your communiCation is fully protected through end-to-end encryption, covering messages, voice and video calls, Group Chats, files, and status updates. Only the Designated recipient can access the content of your messages; no unauthorised parties can intervene. Threema utilises the reputable open-source NaCl Cryptography library for its encryption processes. Furthermore, encryption keys are created and securely retained on users’ devices, effectively safeguarding against any potential backdoor access or duplication.