Delta Chat: A decentralized messaging client with no server

Project repository

https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-android

Messaging applications such as the telegram, Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger has been the most popular means of sharing media files and digital information. They have become the most simple and most popular means for sharing of information and files for the last decade. I am fortunate to be one of the early adopters of these messaging applications. I learned how to create conversations and incorporate amazing files such as stickers, audios, videos, photos, and documents within a conversation.

With all the knowledge gathered from messaging applications both open source and commercial, many users are still struggling to send emails.

What if I tell you there's an open source application that enables you to send emails like chats.

Introducing DeltaChat messaging client

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Source
The delta chat messaging client is an open source application for sending and receiving messages and media files. It works more like the telegram and Whatsapp messaging client but without a central server. Messages and files shared are stored on your device.

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The delta chat application does not have a central server. It uses the already existing email servers. Users can exchange messages and media file as long as they have their recipient’s email addresses. Without the delta chat application installed on the recipient’s device, messages can still be received.

The delta chat messaging applications are available for Android, IOS and desktop. Messages shared within the delta chat application are end-to-end encrypted and stored on your device by default.

Screenshot for Android, iOS and desktop version of delta chat messaging application.

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Android, IOS and Desktop image source

How to use the delta chat messaging application

Download delta chat messaging application for Android, IOS and desktop, you'll see an option to start message or import backup. If you're new to the delta chat messaging application, then start message is the option for you. Input your email and password to gain access to the application. An email will be sent to your mailbox which will require your authentication. When you're done authenticating, you'll gain full access to the delta chat messaging application.

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The graphical illustration of the sign in interface on the delta chat messaging application.

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The graphical illustration of the start messaging and import backup features.

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The graphical illustration of an email sent to my mailbox for authentication

The Main components of the delta chat messaging application

The delta chat messaging application has a user-friendly interface whereby you can start chatting right away.

• New chat,
• QR invite code,
• Contact request,
• Settings

New chat

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The New chat feature handles new conversation within the delta chat messaging application. You can either click on the plus feature which is situated at the button right or you can click on the three dots situated at the top right side of the application.

When the new chat feature on the delta chat is clicked, you gain access to start a conversation by creating a new group, new verified group or you can chat with yourself.
If you choose to start a new group, there's a text field which requires a name for your group. There are two tabs below the text field which are add members and QR invite code. The add members tab is used in adding new email addresses to your group, and the QR invite code is meant for those who are willing to join the group through the QR code.

QR code

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The QR code feature on the delta chat messaging application is meant for those who are willing to join a conversation through a QR code. If you wish to be a part of a conversation, you can simply scan the QR code for the group and you're in.

Contact request

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Contact request feature is where all your chat request is displayed. The first time you get a message on the delta chat messaging application, it displays as a chat request. Therefore, you can either accept or decline.

Settings

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Just like every other application, the delta chat messaging client has a setting feature where different adjustments can be made. Within the settings feature, you'll get access to features such as

• Your profile,
• Notification,
• Privacy,
• Appearance,
• Chat and media,
• Advanced,
• Invite friend,
• Help.

What I like about the delta chat messaging application

After taking a preliminary look at the delta chat messaging application, I have come to the conclusion that the deltachat messaging application is a better alternative to other messaging clients. The fact that the developers made the delta chat messaging client an open source application is already a plus. Its user interface is friendly and it has lots of nifty features.

According to the Wikipedia, the [gmail]Gmail.com) service had over one billion active users in 2016. We're in 2019 already and I believe the numbers have grown. Using the delta chat messaging application puts you in a position where you can chat with many people across the globe without having to persuade them to download and install the delta chat messaging application on their mobile phones.

The delta chat messaging application operations are smooth, it has a user-friendly interface, it does not lag, and massages and media files shared are end-to-end encrypted.

What I think should be included on the delta chat messaging application

The delta chat messaging application is extremely useful, therefore, I’d love to contribute to its improvement.

I'm proposing that an automatic media download feature should be added on the delta chat messaging application. I'm sure this is a popular feature on other applications. When the proposed feature is in development, the developers should add an option for users to choose how they want to download media files. An option to choose between WiFi, cellular and never should be included with the automatic media download feature.

I have already proposed the automatic media download feature within the delta chat support forum, therefore, I hope it gets implemented.

Comparing the delta chat messaging application with other alternatives.

Currently, I have not seen any messaging client that works like the delta chat messaging application as this innovative messaging application is extremely unique and useful at the moment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe the delta chat messaging application deserves a top spot on the leaderboard. It comes with outstanding features that are extremely unique and it offers security over shared data.

Resources

Downloaded images are sourced properly, others are screenshots taken from my mobile device.

GitHub Account

https://github.com/abasifreke50