Frequently Asked Questions

Vavo Chat is a privacy-first encrypted messaging platform that combines the best user experience patterns from leading messaging apps while placing your confidentiality at the core of every design decision. All messages are end-to-end encrypted using the Signal Protocol.

Vavo Chat uses 8-digit hexadecimal PIN codes for user discovery instead of phone numbers or email addresses. This means your personal contact information is never exposed to other users. Combined with Signal Protocol encryption and on-premises deployment, Vavo Chat offers unparalleled privacy.

Yes. The free Basic plan covers one-to-one messaging, group chats (up to 50 members), media sharing (25 MB limit), voice messages, disappearing messages, safety-number verification, and the web companion. Paid Pro and Pro Plus plans, which raise the media limit and add further features, are coming soon.

Vavo Chat is available natively on iOS (iPhone and iPad). A web companion is also available that you can pair with your phone using a QR code, similar to WhatsApp Web. A native Android app is in development.

Vavo Chat uses the Signal Protocol (X3DH key agreement + Double Ratchet) for all messages. This means only you and your intended recipient can read your messages. Not even our servers can access the plaintext content of your conversations.

Your PIN is a unique 8-digit hexadecimal code (like A3F7B2C1) that serves as your identity on Vavo Chat. Unlike other apps that require your phone number, Vavo Chat uses PINs so you can connect with others without revealing personal contact information.

No. Vavo Chat operates on a zero-knowledge server architecture. The server only relays encrypted blobs and stores pre-key bundles for key exchange. Your messages are encrypted on your device before being sent and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.

Deleting your account permanently removes your undelivered messages, your contacts, and any linked Apple or Google sign-in — where you signed in with Apple, we also ask Apple to revoke the connection. Your email address, phone number, password, avatar, and status message are erased, every signed-in device is revoked, and your profile is anonymised. Since messages are stored on-device with end-to-end encryption, the server never held your message history in the first place.

Yes. Vavo Chat provides per-contact identity-key fingerprints (both numeric and QR code) that you can compare out-of-band to verify the security of your connection and detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks.

Disappearing messages automatically delete after a timer you set expires, helping ensure sensitive conversations don't persist indefinitely. The feature is available to every user, including the free Basic plan.

Yes. You can share images, videos, documents, and voice messages. All media is encrypted before upload using AES-256-GCM, and encryption keys are shared through the secure message channel. File size limits depend on your plan, starting at 25 MB on Basic. Location sharing is coming soon.

The Web Companion lets you use Vavo Chat from your desktop browser. Simply scan a QR code with your mobile device to pair, and you'll have access to your conversations in real-time via SignalR. Your mobile device acts as the encryption relay.

You can pair your phone with the web companion by scanning a QR code, which lets you use Vavo Chat from your desktop browser alongside your phone. Linking a second phone or tablet as an independent device is not supported yet — it is on the roadmap.

You can register using either an email address with password or a phone number with OTP verification. Social sign-in options (Apple and Google) are also available. After registration, you'll receive your unique 8-digit PIN code.

Vavo Chat offers three tiers: Basic (free) with core messaging features, Pro with expanded group sizes, higher media limits, and disappearing messages, and Pro Plus with unlimited groups, 500 MB media sharing, and priority support.

You can add contacts by entering their 8-digit PIN code in the app, or by scanning a QR code that contains their PIN. When you add someone, they'll receive a notification and can choose to accept or decline your contact request.

Make sure notifications are enabled for Vavo Chat in your device settings. On iOS, check Settings > Notifications > Vavo Chat. On Android, check Settings > Apps > Vavo Chat > Notifications. Also ensure the app has background refresh enabled.

Check your internet connection first. If you're online but messages still aren't delivering, try signing out and back in to refresh your session. If the issue persists, contact our support team.