Briar

Secure messaging, anywhere

Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate.

Unlike traditional messaging apps, Briar doesn't rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the users' devices.

If the Internet's down, Briar can sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, keeping the information flowing in a crisis. If the Internet's up, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.

You can link Briar with a device running Briar Mailbox (even on Android: org.briarproject.mailbox) to receive encrypted messages from your contacts while Briar is offline.

License: GNU General Public License v3.0 or later
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Versions

Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.

Download F-Droid

Version 1.5.13 (10513) suggested Added on Sep 06, 2024

arm64-v8a armeabi-v7a x86 x86_64

This version requires Android 5.0 or newer.

It is built by F-Droid and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
- view network connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
- view Wi-Fi connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about Wi-Fi networking, such as whether Wi-Fi is enabled and name of connected Wi-Fi devices.
- pair with Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to view the configuration of the Bluetooth on the phone, and to make and accept connections with paired devices.
- access Bluetooth settings
  
  Allows the app to configure the local Bluetooth phone, and to discover and pair with remote devices.
  (11)
- advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
- connect to paired Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to connect to paired Bluetooth devices
- discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
- take pictures and videos
  
  This app can take pictures and record videos using the camera while the app is in use.
- connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
  
  Allows the app to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi access points and to make changes to device configuration for Wi-Fi networks.
- hide other apps overlays
  
  This app can request that the system hides overlays originating from apps from being shown on top of it.
- have full network access
  
  Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
- interact with nearby Wi-Fi devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise, connect, and determine the relative position of nearby Wi-Fi devices
- show notifications
  
  Allows the app to show notifications
- read the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to read the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
- run at startup
  
  Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
- use fingerprint hardware
  
  Allows the app to use fingerprint hardware for authentication
- control vibration
  
  Allows the app to control the vibrator.
- prevent phone from sleeping
  
  Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
- modify or delete the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to write the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
Download APK 56 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log
Version 1.5.12 (10512) - Added on Aug 12, 2024

arm64-v8a armeabi-v7a x86 x86_64

This version requires Android 5.0 or newer.

It is built by F-Droid and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
- view network connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
- view Wi-Fi connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about Wi-Fi networking, such as whether Wi-Fi is enabled and name of connected Wi-Fi devices.
- pair with Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to view the configuration of the Bluetooth on the phone, and to make and accept connections with paired devices.
- access Bluetooth settings
  
  Allows the app to configure the local Bluetooth phone, and to discover and pair with remote devices.
  (11)
- advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
- connect to paired Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to connect to paired Bluetooth devices
- discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
- take pictures and videos
  
  This app can take pictures and record videos using the camera while the app is in use.
- connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
  
  Allows the app to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi access points and to make changes to device configuration for Wi-Fi networks.
- hide other apps overlays
  
  This app can request that the system hides overlays originating from apps from being shown on top of it.
- have full network access
  
  Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
- interact with nearby Wi-Fi devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise, connect, and determine the relative position of nearby Wi-Fi devices
- show notifications
  
  Allows the app to show notifications
- read the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to read the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
- run at startup
  
  Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
- use fingerprint hardware
  
  Allows the app to use fingerprint hardware for authentication
- control vibration
  
  Allows the app to control the vibrator.
- prevent phone from sleeping
  
  Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
- modify or delete the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to write the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
Download APK 56 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log
Version 1.5.11 (10511) - Added on May 17, 2024

arm64-v8a armeabi-v7a x86 x86_64

This version requires Android 5.0 or newer.

It is built by F-Droid and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
- view network connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
- view Wi-Fi connections
  
  Allows the app to view information about Wi-Fi networking, such as whether Wi-Fi is enabled and name of connected Wi-Fi devices.
- pair with Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to view the configuration of the Bluetooth on the phone, and to make and accept connections with paired devices.
- access Bluetooth settings
  
  Allows the app to configure the local Bluetooth phone, and to discover and pair with remote devices.
  (11)
- advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise to nearby Bluetooth devices
- connect to paired Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to connect to paired Bluetooth devices
- discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
  
  Allows the app to discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices
- take pictures and videos
  
  This app can take pictures and record videos using the camera while the app is in use.
- connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
  
  Allows the app to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi access points and to make changes to device configuration for Wi-Fi networks.
- hide other apps overlays
  
  This app can request that the system hides overlays originating from apps from being shown on top of it.
- have full network access
  
  Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
- interact with nearby Wi-Fi devices
  
  Allows the app to advertise, connect, and determine the relative position of nearby Wi-Fi devices
- show notifications
  
  Allows the app to show notifications
- read the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to read the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
- run at startup
  
  Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
- use fingerprint hardware
  
  Allows the app to use fingerprint hardware for authentication
- control vibration
  
  Allows the app to control the vibrator.
- prevent phone from sleeping
  
  Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
- modify or delete the contents of your shared storage
  
  Allows the app to write the contents of your shared storage.
  (4.3)
Download APK 56 MiB PGP Signature | Build Log