The Android app

The CM Chat Android app works on Android 9 or newer. It is installed directly from a file (called "sideloading"), not from the Play Store. Your administrator gives you the file, CMChat-1.1.0.apk, as a download link or by USB.

Install the app

Android asks for permission the first time you install something from outside the Play Store. Menu names differ slightly between phone makers.

1. Get CMChat-1.1.0.apk onto the phone. Files downloaded in the browser end up in the Downloads folder.
2. Open the Files app (or My Files) and tap Downloads.
3. Tap CMChat-1.1.0.apk.
4. If Android says "For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source", tap Settings in that message. If no message appears, open Settings, then Apps, then Special app access, then Install unknown apps. On Samsung phones, use Settings, then Apps, then Special access, then Install unknown apps.
5. In the list, tap the app you used to open the file (for example Files, Chrome or My Files).
6. Turn on Allow from this source, then press the back arrow.
7. Tap Install. If a Play Protect message says the app is unrecognised, tap More details, then Install anyway.
8. When it finishes, tap Open.
9. Optional: go back to Settings, Apps, Special app access, Install unknown apps, tap the same app, and turn Allow from this source off again.

Sign in

1. On first launch, type your workspace address in Workspace address. For example imagedepot or imagedepot.cmchat.app.
2. Tap Continue.
3. Sign in as described in Signing in. Authenticator codes work. Passkeys work when your phone's web component supports them.

Recent workspaces are listed on the first screen under Recent workspaces. Press and hold one to remove it.

Switch workspaces

If you belong to more than one team, open the app menu and tap Switch workspace, then choose a recent workspace or type another address and tap Continue. Each workspace keeps its own sign-in.

Block screenshots

This is on by default.

1. Open the app menu and tap Settings.
2. Find Block screenshots of chats.
3. Turn it on or off.

When on, it prevents screenshots, screen recording and the app preview in the recent apps list.

Clear sign-in data

In Settings, tap Clear sign-in data to sign out of every workspace on that phone. This also turns off phone notifications.

Phone notifications

Version 1.1.0 can alert you when the app is closed. Pair the phone once with a code from the web app. The steps are in Notifications. On Android 13 or newer the phone asks you to allow notifications the first time. You can then tune two kinds of alert in Android's own settings for the app: Direct messages and mentions, and Other messages.

To turn them off, open the app's Settings and tap Turn off under Phone notifications.

Updating

To update, install the newer file the same way over the old one.

Security of the app

The app only opens your workspace address. Links to other sites open in your phone's browser. It does not ask for camera, microphone or location permission, and file uploads use Android's own file picker. The only permission it asks for is to show notifications, and only when you turn on phone notifications.

Notifications

See Notifications.