Chat anonymously with qTox

Do you not trust services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Skype at all? The free service qTox is a non-profit chat client and has no backdoors. You can easily chat anonymously with it without government agencies and other snoopers peeking in. Also (video) calling is supported.

The qTox program is based on the tox protocol, which has only been in existence since 2013. The contacts are directly connected to each other via a so-called p2p network, so no central servers are involved. An advantage, because the messages are only stored on your own system and the computer of your conversation partner. All call data is further encrypted so that only the person on the other end of the line can see your messages or hear your chatter.

Despite all the security measures, the makers have succeeded in developing a user-friendly chat client. The Dutch interface looks very clear and there are no advertisements present. Let's take a look.

Download and install qTox

Although qTox was only released as PC software, luckily you can choose the platform you want. The freeware works under Windows, macOS and various Linux distributions. In this article we will discuss the possibilities of the Windows edition. Surf to the qTox website and click the green button Download. A fresh web page opens on which you click on the 32bit or 64bit version under Windows.

Not sure which one to get? Within Windows, click successively on Start, Settings, System and Info. Bee System type states which version you need. Then double click on the saved exe file. through twice Next, Install, Next and Finish perform the installation.

When you start qTox for the first time, the program will ask for a username and password (2x). Fill in the fields and make sure that password strength a score of 100 percent. Read more about strong passwords here.

It is important that you remember the login details, because there is no possibility to recover a forgotten password. Confirm with Create Profile to open the main window.

The standard language is English, but luckily you can easily change it to Dutch. Click on the gear icon at the bottom left and choose back Language in front of Dutch. Keep in mind that not everything is translated equally well.

About Tox IDs

Logically, using qTox is only useful if your conversation partner also uses this program (or another tox client). With regular chat services you add contacts via an e-mail address or mobile number, but with this tool it works a little differently. Each user has a unique tox-id. That's a 76-character code that allows members of qTox to add each other.

Click on your profile name in the top left to view your own tox-id. The intention is that you share this code with one or more contacts, so that they can add you as a discussion partner. This can be done in two ways. Via the option click to copy you copy the letter and number series to the clipboard, after which you share the code via e-mail, for example.

Alternatively, you can also distribute a QR code among your circle of acquaintances. This is especially useful for people who use a tox client on a mobile device. In that case, choose Save Image or Acopy image. Recipients can then easily add you via the camera of a smartphone or tablet by scanning the QR code.

By the way, you are free to change your name and status on the profile page. Finally, you can optionally add a profile picture. To do this, click on the image next to your name and select a suitable photo on the computer.

Are Jan and everyone trying to add you? Your tox-id has probably ended up in the wrong hands. No problem, because you can easily change a small part of the code. Open the settings at the bottom left via the gear and navigate to the tab Privacy. Click now Generate a random NoSpam.

Add contacts

When you have received a tox-id from someone yourself, you add that person directly. Click the plus sign at the bottom left and paste in the empty field at the top of the code. Then type a personal message, after which you confirm with Send friend request. The contact's code name now appears on the left of the screen. If you have shared a tox-id yourself, you should automatically receive friend requests. They appear in green and are therefore not to be missed.

Click on the friend request and choose To accept. The code name now changes to the profile name, so that the contact is clearly recognizable. Let's chat!

Adjust video settings

In addition to text messages, you can also use qTox for (video) calling. In that case, it is important that the microphone, speakers and webcam of the system are correctly adjusted. Click the gear icon at the bottom left and open the tab Audio/Video. join Playback device and Recording device after whether the correct speakers and microphone respectively are highlighted. If necessary, play with the volume control and shout something to see if the input device recognizes your voice.

When you want to make video calls, select behind Video device a connected webcam. If all goes well, an immediate image will appear. Change if necessary at Resolution the value to improve image quality. Does qTox not recognize certain peripherals? In that case, try the option at the bottom Rescan devices once out.

qTox on smartphone

Finally. Unfortunately, qTox is only available for computers, while you may also want to chat on mobile devices via an encrypted connection. Fortunately, there are several mobile apps that use the tox protocol. For example, you can install the Antox app on an Android device. The operation is almost the same as with the discussed desktop program qTox. An advantage is that you can add a QR code of a tox-id with the mobile camera.

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