Your First Message
Send your first end-to-end encrypted message in Cipher. It's easy, secure, and completely private.
Adding a Contact
Before you can message someone, you need to add them as a contact. There are several ways to do this:
Search by Username
If they have an on-chain username like 'alice.cipher', search for it directly
Scan QR Code
Scan their Cipher QR code in person for instant, verified connection
Step-by-Step: Adding via Username
- Tap the + button in the top right of your chat list
- Select New Contact
- Enter their username (e.g., "alice.cipher") or public key
- Verify the key fingerprint matches what they show you (recommended for security)
- Tap Add Contact
Starting a Conversation
Once you've added a contact, starting a conversation is simple:
- Tap the contact's name in your contact list, or tap + then New Message
- Select the contact you want to message
- A new encrypted conversation thread opens
Sending Your First Message
What Happens Behind the Scenes
- 1Cipher fetches your contact's prekey bundle from the network
- 2X3DH key agreement creates a shared secret known only to you both
- 3Your message is encrypted with AES-256-GCM using a unique key
- 4The encrypted message is sent via the P2P network
- 5Your contact decrypts it with their corresponding key
All of this happens automatically and instantly. You just type your message and tap send!
Message Features
Cipher supports various message types:
- Text messages with emoji support
- Images and photos (encrypted before sending)
- Files and documents up to 100MB
- Voice messages with automatic transcription
- Crypto payments directly in chat
- Payment requests with custom amounts and notes
Understanding Message Status
Sending
Message is being encrypted and sent
Sent
Message delivered to the network
Delivered
Message received by recipient's device
Verifying Encryption
You can verify that your conversation is properly encrypted by checking the security info:
- Tap on the contact's name at the top of the conversation
- Select Verify Security
- Compare the safety numbers with your contact (in person or via another channel)
- If they match, tap Mark as Verified
Verified contacts show a checkmark badge, giving you confidence that no one is intercepting your messages.
Next Steps
Now that you've sent your first message, explore more features:
- Create a group chat with multiple friends
- Send crypto directly in your conversations
- Configure privacy settings for maximum security