Start with a handle.

Install and sign in

Download Hush.apk and allow your browser to install this app. Open Hush, tap Create a handle, choose 3–32 lowercase letters, digits or underscores starting with a letter, and enter a password of at least 12 characters. The server is already set. Sign in with the same handle and password on an additional device. The owner may close registration after the intended users have joined.

Enable background notifications

  1. Allow notifications when Android asks. In Android Settings → Apps → Hush → Notifications, enable message and incoming call channels, sounds and vibration as desired.
  2. Allow unrestricted battery use when Hush asks. You can also set Settings → Apps → Hush → Battery → Unrestricted, or allow it under Battery optimization. Menu names vary by phone.
  3. Keep Hush’s connection notification enabled. Some phones also require allowing Auto start and background mobile data.

A Google-free direct connection needs permission to remain active. Android Force stop blocks notifications until you open Hush again. Turning off the connection service or restricting background data can delay delivery. Reboot recovery and network reconnection are included; manufacturer restrictions still apply.

Add someone and send

Tap the new conversation button and add a contact using their exact handle, such as @arjun. The app adds this server automatically. The other person must already have an account. Messages wait for OMEMO key availability instead of being sent in plaintext. Share images, video, documents or voice messages using the attachment actions; individual uploads are limited to 100 MiB. Create a private group from the conversation controls.

Verify encryption

Open a contact’s details and view OMEMO fingerprints. Compare them in person or using another trusted channel, or scan their verification QR code. Investigate unexpected changes. Devices you do not control should not be trusted. Group encryption needs member identities; members can see the other participants’ handles.

Calls

Use the audio or video icon in a chat. Grant microphone and camera permissions when you use these features. Calls require both devices to have working OMEMO sessions and the server’s relay to be reachable. Media uses the relay rather than a direct peer connection. This build does not implement WhatsApp Status or WhatsApp account/backup import.

Back up before changing phones

Use Settings → Backup to export an encrypted app backup, copy it somewhere safe and retain its password. Restore it through the welcome screen’s import backup option. A new login on its own does not recover old encryption keys. Server backups restore server operation; they are not a substitute for a phone backup.

Server owner

The deployment lives at /opt/hush. Run sudo hush status, sudo hush check or sudo hush logs to diagnose it. Close new sign-ups with sudo hush registrations off; reopen with sudo hush registrations on. Reset an account password with sudo hush password handle. Run sudo hush backup before maintenance. Keep the private signing-key archive offline so future APKs can update this installation.