TL;DR: Download BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) APK from the official website or Google Play. The APK is ~68 MB and requires Android 8.0+. Always verify APK authenticity by downloading only from batchat.com.
How to Download and Install BatChat on Android
BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) is an encrypted messaging app by BatChat, Inc. (成都飞蝠科技有限公司). On Android, it provides end-to-end encryption, screenshot blocking, preset secret codes (预设密信), disappearing messages, and encrypted group chats. The app supports Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later, covering the vast majority of active Android devices.
This guide covers every way to get BatChat (蝙蝠聊天安卓) onto your Android phone — including official APK download, installation steps, permission explanations, and how to verify you have the legitimate build rather than a tampered one.
Android Version and Device Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Android Version | 8.0 (Oreo) | 12 (API 31) or later |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 150 MB free | 300 MB free |
| Camera | Required for video calls | — |
| Microphone | Required for voice calls | — |
The APK file is approximately 68 MB. After installation, the app uses 150-300 MB of storage depending on cached media, message history, and avatar data.
To check your Android version: open Settings > About phone > Android version (or Settings > About device > Software information on Samsung phones).
Download Options: Official APK vs. Play Store
BatChat is available through two primary channels:
Option 1: Official Website (Recommended)
Download the APK directly from batchat.com. The official site always hosts the latest version.
- Open your browser and navigate to batchat.com
- Find the Android下载 link
- Download the APK file
Option 2: Third-Party App Stores
In some regions, BatChat is available through alternative app stores. However, these stores may host older versions. For the most up-to-date build, the official website remains the best source.
Critical warning: Do not download BatChat APK from random websites, forum posts, or Telegram groups. Modified APKs are a known attack vector for encrypted messaging apps. A tampered build can log your messages, steal your contacts, or install malware on your device. Only use batchat.com as your download source.
Step-by-Step APK Installation
Step 1: Enable “Install from Unknown Sources”
By default, Android blocks installation of APKs downloaded from outside the Google Play Store. You need to enable this for your browser:
On Android 8-10:
- Open Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access
- Tap Install unknown apps
- Find your browser (Chrome, Samsung Internet, etc.)
- Toggle Allow from this source to ON
On Android 11-14:
- Open Settings > Apps > Special app access
- Tap Install unknown apps (or Install unknown applications)
- Select your browser and set it to Allow
On Android 15:
- Open Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy
- Tap Install unknown apps
- Select your browser and enable it
Some Android skins (MIUI, ColorOS, One UI) place this option under slightly different menus. Search your Settings for “unknown” to locate it quickly.
Step 2: Download the APK
Using your browser, download the APK from batchat.com. Wait for the download to complete — the file will be in your Downloads folder.
Step 3: Install the APK
- Open your Files app (or My Files on Samsung)
- Navigate to the Downloads folder
- Tap the BatChat APK file
- Review the permissions prompt (covered in detail below)
- Tap Install
The installation takes 10-30 seconds depending on your device’s storage speed.
Step 4: Launch and Register
After installation, open BatChat from your app drawer. Follow the registration flow:
- Enter your phone number with country code
- Verify via SMS (6-digit code, expires in 10 minutes)
- Set your display name
- Enable unlock password (解锁密码) — supports fingerprint and face unlock on compatible devices
App Permissions Explained
When you install BatChat, Android shows a list of permissions the app requests. Here’s what each one does and why it’s needed:
| Permission | Purpose | Can You Deny It? |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Video calls and sending photos | Yes, but video calls won’t work |
| Microphone | Voice calls and voice messages | Yes, but calls won’t work |
| Contacts | Finding friends who use BatChat | Yes, you can add contacts manually |
| Storage (Files/Media) | Accessing photos, files for sharing | Partial — you can grant access per file |
| Notifications | Receiving message alerts | Yes, but you won’t see incoming messages |
| Phone | Reading phone state during calls | Yes |
| Vibrate | Haptic feedback for notifications | Yes |
| Network | Internet access for messaging | No — required for core functionality |
| Boot (Startup) | Receiving push notifications after reboot | Yes — disabling may delay notifications |
Granting Permissions After Installation
If you denied a permission during installation, you can grant it later:
- Open Settings > Apps > BatChat
- Tap Permissions
- Tap each permission and select Allow or Allow only while using the app
For storage access on Android 11+, the app requests access to specific folders (Photos, Downloads) rather than full storage access. This is a security improvement in newer Android versions.
How to Verify Your APK Is Legitimate
Since BatChat is distributed as an APK outside the Play Store, you should verify its authenticity after downloading. Here are the checks you can perform:
Check the File Size
The official BatChat APK is approximately 68 MB. If your downloaded file is significantly smaller (under 50 MB) or much larger (over 100 MB), something is wrong. A smaller file may be a stub that downloads additional payloads, or it could be a completely different app.
Check the APK Signature
Android APKs are signed with a developer certificate. You can verify the signature using any APK analyzer tool:
- Download an APK analyzer like APK Signature Verification from the Play Store
- Open the BatChat APK file with the tool
- Check that the signature matches BatChat, Inc. (成都飞蝠科技有限公司)
Verify the Package Name
The official BatChat package name should match the developer’s registered identifier. You can check this using an app like Package Name Viewer from the Play Store, or by running this command via ADB if you have developer tools set up:
adb shell dumpsys package com.batchat.app | grep versionNameThe version name should match the latest release (currently v4.7.0).
Check the Source URL
Before downloading, verify you are on the legitimate batchat.com domain. Look for:
- The URL starts with
https://(the padlock icon in your browser) - The domain is exactly
batchat.comorwww.batchat.com - No typos in the domain (batchchat.com, batch-at.com, etc. are not legitimate)
Key Features on Android
Screenshot Protection (截屏防护)
When enabled for a conversation, BatChat blocks screenshot tools from capturing the chat content. This works with:
- Android’s built-in screenshot method (power + volume down)
- Third-party screenshot apps (like LongShot, Screenshot Easy)
- Screen recording apps
- Quick Settings screenshot tiles
On some Android devices, the screenshot still appears in your gallery but shows a black or blank image where the BatChat window was. On others, the system prevents the screenshot from being taken entirely.
Preset Secret Codes (预设密信)
Set a custom passphrase for any individual chat. Both participants must know the code to unlock the conversation. This provides defense-in-depth: even if someone bypasses your phone’s lock screen, they still cannot access protected chats without the secret code.
BatChat Avatar (蝙蝠形象)
Create a customizable virtual character with various face shapes, clothing, accessories, and animations. This feature is exclusive to BatChat and is not available in other encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram.
Encrypted Voice and Video Calls
Make end-to-end encrypted calls to your BatChat contacts. Call quality is comparable to standard VoIP apps. The encryption applies to both audio and video streams.
Group Chats with Member Protection
Create encrypted groups with up to 200 members. Groups support member protection (群成员保护), which restricts who can view member lists and profiles, and in-group voting for decisions.
Multi-Device Setup
Link your Android phone with other devices:
- In BatChat, go to Settings > Devices > Link New Device
- A QR code appears on your phone screen
- On the target device, open BatChat and scan the QR code
- The new device receives a copy of your encryption keys and message history sync begins
You can have up to 5 devices linked simultaneously.
Common Android Issues and Fixes
”App Not Installed” Error
This error has several possible causes:
- Incompatible Android version: Ensure you’re running Android 8.0 or later
- Corrupted APK download: Delete the file and re-download from batchat.com
- Insufficient storage: Free up space in Settings > Storage
- Conflicting app: If you have an older version of BatChat installed, uninstall it first, then install the new APK
APK Download Fails or Is Very Slow
- Check your internet connection
- Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet)
- If you’re behind a corporate or school firewall, it may block downloads from batchat.com — try switching to mobile data
- Disable VPN if you have one active, as some VPN servers may throttle downloads
Push Notifications Not Working
Android’s battery optimization system frequently kills background apps, which prevents push notifications from arriving:
- Open Settings > Apps > BatChat > Battery
- Set to Unrestricted (this prevents Android from force-stopping BatChat in the background)
- On Samsung devices: Settings > Apps > BatChat > Battery > Unrestricted
- On Xiaomi/MIUI: Settings > Apps > BatChat > Battery saver > No restrictions (also add BatChat to the Autostart list in Security settings)
- On Huawei: Settings > Apps > BatChat > Power usage details > App launch > Manage manually > Enable auto-launch, secondary launch, and background activity
Camera or Microphone Not Working in Calls
- Go to Settings > Apps > BatChat > Permissions
- Ensure Camera and Microphone are set to Allow
- Check whether another app is currently using the camera (close all other apps and try again)
- On some Android phones, you need to clear the BatChat cache: Settings > Apps > BatChat > Storage > Clear Cache
Messages Not Syncing Between Devices
If your Android phone and linked device are out of sync:
- Check that both devices have internet connectivity
- Force-stop BatChat on Android: Settings > Apps > BatChat > Force Stop, then reopen
- On the linked device, check for connection status in Settings > Devices
- If the problem persists, unlink and re-link the device from scratch
Uninstalling BatChat from Android
To completely remove BatChat:
- Open Settings > Apps > BatChat
- Tap Uninstall
- To also delete cached data, go to Settings > Storage > Other apps > BatChat > Clear data (do this before uninstalling, or the data may remain)
Uninstalling removes all local message caches and encryption keys stored on that device. Your account remains active on other linked devices.
FAQ
Is it safe to install the BatChat APK outside the Play Store?
Installing APKs from outside the Play Store carries inherent risk. The key factor is the source. Downloading from the official batchat.com is safe because it’s the developer’s own distribution channel. The risk comes from third-party sites that may redistribute modified versions. Always verify the APK file size (~68 MB), check the developer name (BatChat, Inc. / 成都飞蝠科技有限公司), and only download from batchat.com.
Can I get BatChat from the Google Play Store?
As of the latest information, BatChat is not available on the Google Play Store in all regions. The official APK from batchat.com is the most reliable download method worldwide. Check the Play Store first if you prefer it, but do not install from unverified third-party Play Store mirrors.
Does BatChat drain battery on Android?
BatChat uses standard push notification technology and should not cause significant battery drain under normal usage. If you notice excessive battery consumption, check that battery optimization is set to Unrestricted (as described above). On some Chinese Android skins (MIUI, ColorOS), aggressive task killers may repeatedly terminate BatChat, causing it to reconnect and consume additional resources. Adding BatChat to the battery optimization whitelist fixes this.
Can I install BatChat on Android TV or Fire Stick?
No. BatChat is designed for phones and tablets with touchscreens, cameras, and microphones. There is no version for Android TV or Amazon Fire TV devices.
How do I transfer my BatChat account to a new Android phone?
Install BatChat on the new phone and log in with your phone number. Verify via SMS. Your message history will sync from the server relay (note: BatChat states servers do not store message content, so sync relies on metadata and keys from linked devices). For best results, keep your old phone linked and online during the transition period.
Ready to install? Visit our download page for the official Android APK download link.