Managing data

Automatic message deletion

To delete messages from your local chat database after a set period of time, open the app settings, tap Chat data and choose the period in Delete messages after.

Please note: This option does not delete messages for other users, only for you. This option is set independently for each chat profile.

To set a different period for one chat, choose it in Delete messages after in the chat info.

Chat database

To open your chat database settings:

Open the app settings.
Tap Chat data, then Database passphrase & export.

Database passphrase

By default, database passphrase is random, you have to set it manually to be able to export it.

To set your own passphrase, tap Database passphrase, enter it in New passphrase… and Confirm new passphrase…, and tap Update database passphrase. To change a passphrase that you set before, also enter it in Current passphrase….

The app saves the passphrase on the device, in iOS Keychain, in Android Keystore, or in the app settings as plaintext on desktop. After you set your own passphrase, you can turn off Save passphrase in Keychain (iOS), Save passphrase in Keystore (Android) or Save passphrase in settings (desktop). The app then asks for the passphrase each time it starts, and notifications on iOS and Android are limited (see Notifications). On desktop, a passphrase that you set at the first start is not saved. A lost passphrase cannot be recovered.

App data backup

The app data is not saved in iOS backups, and Android backup is turned off for the app. To keep a copy of your data, export the database regularly: importing an old copy may disrupt your conversations with some contacts.

Export database

Here you can export the chat database to a file. The file also contains your files and the app settings. The app stops the chat to export the database, and the chat stays stopped after the export. To start it again, turn on the toggle under Run chat.

Import database

Here you can import the chat database from a file. Your current chat database is deleted and replaced with the imported one. When the chat starts again, the app asks for the passphrase of the imported database.

Delete database

Here you can delete your chat database. All your SimpleX Chat data will be lost, unless you have just exported the chat database.

Delete files and media

Chat data screen on iOS with Delete messages after, Database passphrase and export, and Delete all files

You can delete all sent and received files and media stored in the app with Delete all files in Chat data, without deleting the messages. When you have several chat profiles, the button is Delete files for all chat profiles.

Migrate to another device

You can move all your chat profiles, contacts, messages and files to a new device. The app encrypts them and uploads them in chunks to your XFTP file servers.

On the old device, open the app settings and tap Migrate to another device. The app stops the chat. Set a database passphrase, or confirm the one you set before, and tap Archive and upload. When the upload completes, the app shows a QR code and a link.
On the new device, install the app and tap Get started (iOS and Android) or Create your profile (desktop). Tap Migrate (Migrate from another device on desktop) at the top of the screen. Scan the QR code (iOS and Android) or paste the link, then enter the database passphrase and tap Open chat.
When the new device shows Chat migrated!, tap Finalize migration on the old device, then Delete database from this device.

Do not use the same database on two devices. It breaks the decryption of messages from your connections.

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