Above and beyond chat app

Viber is a free chat application that goes above and beyond normal messaging software thanks to the surprising communication and safety features. The basic chatting activities include sending messages, making voice and video calls, while the more advanced systems include creating Viber stickers and GIFs.

Chat applications are becoming increasingly popular as the world continues to become more globalized. Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp are additional messaging apps that reap important security benefits, with Signal being the most secure of the bunch. All the tools use end-to-end encryption by default, aside from Telegram which makes you set the setting up yourself.

What is Viber and how does it work?

Viber is a cross-platform messaging app for computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. You can download Viber on Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Microsoft Windows PC operating systems. Contacts and chatting history can be completely connected between your various devices with your QR code.

Viber is only free when you talk to people that also use the app. In case you want to connect with people that do not use the program, Viber offers a service called Viber Out that you can pay for. Viber lets you send text messages with files, photos, and videos. You can send instant voice and video messages to your recipients or make actual calls instead. 

Viber is a popular place to gather with groups of friends in Viber Communities, which are group chats. The customization features are astounding since you can add administrators to moderate the conversations. Invite links are linked to group chats to let the community members add new people. New members instantly get updated with the chat history that came before.

Admins decide whether members are allowed to post content in the chats. In case messages become inappropriate, the admins can delete messages and ban inappropriate participants from the conversations to keep the space safe. Phone numbers are hidden for each member to maintain a high level of privacy for users. You can still tap on profile pictures to begin private messaging sessions with people.

Communities are allowed to have an unlimited number of members, and the number will be listed at the top of the chat. You can create your own community group to customize the name and member list that fits your purpose and preferences. You have access to Community Insights that lets you know information like the total number of visits within the last 30 days.

Do you need a phone number for Viber?

While Viber is available for desktops and tablets that are not innately linked to a phone number, you will need an actual number to start a Viber account. You can use the same phone number across your devices, like desktop, mobile phone, and tablet. You will also need to get Viber on your phone before you can use the program on your desktop.

The Viber for PC app will show you your QR code on the screen directly after the installation that you can scan from your phone to use the desktop app. The phone app has a ‘QR Code’ option in the settings that opens your camera to scan the code from the desktop screen. The QR code lets the software receive your chat history from your phone.

Is Viber a social media app?

Viber is more like a social media platform on the phone app than on the desktop, since the phone user interface includes an ‘Explore’ tab. Viber is like Discord in respect to the groups since you can join communities of people that share the same passions as you do.

The safety features come in handy with the massive group chats since your phone number is not put on display. Your groups will still appear in the simple desktop user interface in the left panel. You can tap on a chat to make the conversation appear on the main screen. A search bar is available to let you quickly find specific parts of discussions.

Viber lets you create content like GIFs by clipping a portion of a video to put on a loop that you can add text and icons to. Additionally, you can use Viber to make your own stickers from a picture to decorate and share. The exploration and content creation aspects make Viber similar to most social media applications.

Is Viber safe?

Viber is safe for one-on-one conversations since the messages are protected with end-to-end encryption by default. Community chats do not have the same level of secure messaging, since the messages are not end-to-end encrypted.

Viber includes disappearing messages, in case you want to send your confidential info to someone you trust. Private messages are the only method that you can use to safeguard your security. You can set a time limit on how long you want your message to be available for your recipient to view, and a timer lets you know when the message will vanish.

Viber lets you edit and delete messages that you already sent in one on one and group chats. Viber includes caller codes that tell you how secure your conversation really is.

Promising messenger and social app

Viber gives you an endless amount of content to explore, like groups with millions of members. Viber is one of the most used messaging apps in the world, along with Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Whatsapp. You can make free calls and messages to anyone with Viber. Media, like photos and videos, is a popular medium to use to connect on this app.

What’s new?

Viber is owned by Rakuten that is based in Japan. You can expect consistent updates that fix tech problems and add new features. Fingers crossed that the privacy policy will get updated with better terms for encrypted data in every type of chat, including communities.