Taftan / Off-Network Messenger
Transfer messages between nearby phones using sound or a screen. You can also place a message inside a photo to share. No account is required.
Channel 01
Device B (receiver)
Password
Point 01
Device A (sender)
Point 02
Encrypted with the shared password
Point 03
Device B (receiver)
Choose a transfer method that suits your situation. Test it before sharing sensitive information.
Use sound or a screen when both phones are nearby.
Place a message inside a photo. The service used to share it may alter the file.
Use a strong password and give it to the recipient separately.
Send a short, non-sensitive message first.
Taftan covers same-room transfer, screen-to-camera transfer and concealment inside a messaging platform. Every channel applies encryption before sending.
Sound
The sender plays the message and the receiver listens with the phone microphone. Start with both phones close together.
Strong points
Trade-offs
When to useSend short messages between nearby devices.
Use nearby devices for sound or screen transfers. Sharing a photo depends on the service you use.
| Channel | Distance | Through a network | Through a phone call | Through walls | Short text | 1 MB file |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | Depends on the method | Depends on how you share | Test first | Do not rely on it | Varies | Check in the app |
| Sound, Basic | Depends on the method | Depends on how you share | Test first | Do not rely on it | Varies | Check in the app |
| Sound, Ultrasonic | Depends on the method | Depends on how you share | Test first | Do not rely on it | Varies | Check in the app |
| Photo | Depends on the method | Depends on how you share | Test first | Do not rely on it | Varies | Check in the app |
Test the transfer before relying on it. Distance and speed depend on your devices and surroundings.
The process is the same for every transfer. Switching channels is a single tap.
Start with a short message.
Select sound, screen or photo.
Use a strong password and share it with the recipient separately.
Follow the app instructions and ask the recipient to confirm receipt.
Start with a short message.
Select sound, screen or photo.
Use a strong password and share it with the recipient separately.
Follow the app instructions and ask the recipient to confirm receipt.
No account is required. Keep your device and password secure.
These examples describe possible uses. Results depend on your devices and surroundings.
Problem
Noise and device hardware can prevent a transfer.
With Taftan
The sender plays the message and the receiver listens with the phone microphone. Start with both phones close together.
Outcome
Check that the recipient received the message.
Problem
Glare, movement and poor lighting can interrupt a transfer.
With Taftan
Keep the receiving camera steady and the sending screen visible until the transfer finishes.
Outcome
Check that the recipient received the message.
Problem
Editing or recompressing the photo can prevent recovery.
With Taftan
Choose a photo, enter the message and set a password. The recipient opens the photo in Taftan with the same password.
Outcome
Check that the recipient received the message.
Problem
A weak password can be guessed.
With Taftan
Enable protection before sending. Share the password with the recipient separately from the message.
Outcome
Check that the recipient received the message.
An altered file may not open correctly in Taftan. Test with non-sensitive content first.
OKTransmitted without modification. Use Silent mode.
LossyTest before use; file handling varies.
NoSelect a different channel for this platform.
| Platform | Photo (default) | File / document | Voice note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messaging apps | Lossy | Lossy | Lossy |
| Email services | Lossy | Lossy | Lossy |
| File-sharing services | Lossy | Lossy | Lossy |
| Other services | Lossy | Lossy | Lossy |
If a transfer fails, try sending the original file without editing it.
Use a strong password and consider who can access either device.
Enable password protection before sending sensitive content.
Do not assume that a photo hides the existence of a message.
No app can protect information on a device that someone else controls.
Your password
Choose a strong password and share it separately.
Your device
Protect access to both devices and any saved files.
Your decision
Consider the risks before sending sensitive content.
Before you send
Choose the recipient
Set a strong password
Share the password separately
Check that protection is enabled
Send the message
Confirm receipt
Two short lists. One is what the application does by design. The other is what it cannot do, stated plainly so nobody learns about it the wrong way.
Choose an available download below.
Now on Google Play, the easiest way to install and stay updated. Works on any device running Android 9 or later. Grant microphone permission for the acoustic channel and camera permission for the optical channel when prompted.
No download is available here.
Not available
Not available
Published with releasePublished with releaseNo download is available here.
Not available
Not available
Published with releasePublished with releaseCompare the digest of the downloaded file against the value published here before installing. Use shasum -a 256 file or md5sum file.
Answers organised from first principles to specific use cases.
Nearby sound and screen transfers do not. Sharing a photo through another service depends on that service.
Use sound for short messages, a screen when the devices can face each other, or a photo when you need to share a file.
Try a shorter message. Keep the devices steady and close together. For photos, try sharing the original file without editing it.
A protected message cannot be recovered without its password. There is no password reset.
Yes. Protect sensitive messages with a strong password and consider who can access either device.
Yes, a hidden message may be detectable in either mode. Do not rely on a photo to hide that a message exists.
Use the Downloads page for the available versions.
Taftan is proprietary software. See the Terms of Use for its licence.
Consider access to both devices, your password and your surroundings. Read the personal risk notice before use.
Install Taftan on both devices, agree on the password through a separate channel beforehand, and run a quick test transfer using whichever channel fits your situation.