TL;DR: Download BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) for Windows 10/11 from the official website. The installer is ~85 MB, requires Windows 10 version 1903+, and takes under 2 minutes to set up. All messages are end-to-end encrypted by default.
How to Download and Install BatChat on Your PC
BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app built by BatChat, Inc. (成都飞蝠科技有限公司). It runs natively on Windows 10 and Windows 11, offering features like screenshot blocking, preset secret codes (预设密信), and encrypted group chats — all without storing your messages on their servers.
This guide walks you through downloading BatChat for PC from the official source, installing it, configuring your first encrypted conversation, and handling the common setup problems that catch people off guard.
System Requirements for BatChat on Windows
Before downloading, make sure your machine meets these minimum requirements:
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | 1 GHz dual-core | 2 GHz dual-core or better |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Disk Space | 200 MB free | 500 MB free |
| Internet | Broadband connection | Broadband connection |
BatChat’s Windows installer is roughly 85 MB. The app itself uses Electron under the hood, so it needs a reasonably modern system to run smoothly. If you’re on an older machine with a spinning hard drive, expect slightly slower startup times compared to an SSD-equipped PC.
Important: BatChat does not offer a 32-bit Windows build. If you’re running a 32-bit installation of Windows 10, you will not be able to install BatChat. Check your Windows version by pressing Win + I to open Settings, then navigating to System > About.
Where to Download BatChat for PC
There is only one source you should trust: the official website at batchat.com. The download page offers the Windows installer as an .exe file.
Warning: Do not download BatChat from third-party APK sites, software aggregators, or random GitHub repos. The official site verifies file integrity, while third-party redistributors may bundle modified installers containing malware. This is not theoretical — encrypted messaging apps are frequent targets for trojanized builds.
To download directly:
- Open your browser and go to batchat.com
- On the homepage, look for the PC版 (PC version) download link in the navigation
- Click the download button to get the
.exeinstaller
You can also visit our download page for direct links to all BatChat platform installers.
Step-by-Step Installation on Windows 10 and 11
Step 1: Run the Installer
Once the download finishes, locate the .exe file in your Downloads folder. Double-click it to launch the installer.
If Windows SmartScreen displays a “Windows protected your PC” warning, this is normal for apps that are not yet widely recognized by Microsoft’s reputation database. Click More info, then click Run anyway to proceed.
Step 2: Choose the Installation Directory
The installer will prompt you to select an installation path. The default location is:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Programs\BatChat
You can change this if you prefer to install BatChat on a different drive. The app itself takes up roughly 200 MB after installation.
Step 3: Complete the Installation
Click Install and wait for the process to finish. On most systems, this takes under 30 seconds. Once complete, the installer offers to launch BatChat immediately — leave the checkbox checked if you want to set up your account right away.
Step 4: Windows Defender and Firewall
On first launch, Windows may ask you to allow BatChat through the Windows Firewall. Click Allow access for both private and public networks. Without this permission, BatChat cannot send or receive messages.
If you use a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, Bitdefender, etc.), it may flag the new application for a quick scan. Allow the scan to complete — BatChat is clean, but it’s good practice to let your AV verify it.
First-Time Setup: Registering Your Account
After installation, you will see the registration screen. BatChat requires a phone number for account creation.
- Enter your phone number — include your country code (e.g., +1 for the US, +86 for China)
- Verify via SMS — you will receive a 6-digit verification code
- Set a display name — this is what other users see; you can change it later in Settings
- Create an unlock password (解锁密码) — this is optional but strongly recommended. When enabled, BatChat requires face recognition, fingerprint, or a PIN to open the app, even if someone has physical access to your PC
Enable Encryption Features Immediately
After registration, open the Settings menu (gear icon in the lower-left corner) and configure these security options:
- Preset Secret Codes (预设密信): Under Privacy settings, enable this feature for individual contacts. Both you and your contact set a custom passphrase. The chat page stays locked until the correct code is entered.
- Screenshot Protection (截屏防护): Enable this to block screen capture tools from recording your conversations. This works system-wide on Windows — it intercepts both the Print Screen key and third-party screenshot utilities like Snipaste or ShareX.
- Message Timer: Set disappearing message timers for individual chats. Messages auto-delete after a configurable interval.
Using BatChat Desktop: Core Features
Once set up, here’s what you can do on the Windows client:
Encrypted Messaging (加密聊天)
All messages are encrypted using RSA + SRP + Double Ratchet — the same protocol family used by Signal. The encryption happens on your device before data leaves your machine. BatChat’s servers never see plaintext messages.
Group Chats (蝙蝠社群)
Create groups with up to 200 members. Group messages use the same end-to-end encryption as one-on-one chats. You can also enable member protection (群成员保护) and run in-group polls.
File Transfer
Send documents, images, videos, and other files through encrypted channels. Free accounts have a file size limit; VIP accounts can send files up to 2 GB.
Voice and Video Calls
BatChat supports encrypted voice and video calls directly from the desktop app. Call quality depends on your internet connection. Both participants need BatChat installed — there is no option to call regular phone numbers.
BatChat Avatar (蝙蝠形象)
A unique feature of BatChat is the avatar system. You can customize a virtual character with different face shapes, outfits, and animations. It’s essentially a profile picture that doubles as an interactive persona in chat scenarios.
Multi-Device Support
You can run BatChat on multiple devices simultaneously — Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android phone, and the web client. Messages sync across devices in real time.
To add a new device:
- Open BatChat on your primary device
- Go to Settings > Devices
- Scan the QR code displayed on the new device, or enter the pairing code manually
Security note: Each paired device receives its own encryption keys. Removing a device does not delete your message history on that device. If you sell or give away a PC where BatChat was installed, manually clear the app data first.
Common Issues and Fixes
Installer Won’t Open
If the .exe file does nothing when double-clicked:
- Right-click the file and select Run as administrator
- Check whether your antivirus is blocking execution
- Verify the file size matches the expected ~85 MB — a much smaller file may indicate a corrupted download
Blank Screen After Launch
This usually indicates a GPU rendering conflict. Try these fixes:
- Close BatChat
- Right-click the BatChat shortcut and select Properties
- In the Target field, add
--disable-gpuat the end:"C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Programs\BatChat\BatChat.exe" --disable-gpu - Click OK and relaunch
If that doesn’t work, update your graphics driver.
Notifications Not Showing on Windows 11
BatChat uses Windows’ native notification system. If you’re not seeing alerts:
- Go to Settings > System > Notifications
- Find BatChat in the app list and make sure notifications are On
- Under Settings > System > Notifications > Additional settings, ensure Do not disturb is not active
- Also check BatChat’s internal notification settings: Settings > Notifications — make sure sound, badge, and pop-up notifications are all enabled
Login Fails After Reinstalling
If you reinstall BatChat on the same PC and cannot log in with your phone number:
- Make sure you’re entering the correct country code
- Request a new SMS verification code (old codes expire in 10 minutes)
- If you previously enabled two-factor authentication and lost your recovery code, contact BatChat support at support@batchat.com
Slow Performance on Low-End PCs
BatChat’s Electron framework can be demanding on systems with limited RAM. On PCs with 4 GB of RAM or less:
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and other apps while using BatChat
- Disable hardware acceleration in BatChat: Settings > Advanced > Disable hardware acceleration
- Consider using the web version at web.batchat.com if the desktop client is too heavy
Uninstalling BatChat from Windows
To completely remove BatChat:
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
- Search for BatChat
- Click the three dots and select Uninstall
- Also delete the data folder if you want to wipe everything:
%AppData%\BatChat %LocalAppData%\BatChat
This removes your local message cache and encryption keys stored on that device.
FAQ
Is BatChat for Windows free?
Yes. The Windows client is free to download and use. All core features — encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, group chats, file transfer, and screenshot protection — are included at no cost. An optional VIP subscription adds perks like larger file transfers and cloud backup.
Can I use BatChat on Windows 7 or 8?
No. BatChat requires Windows 10 or later (64-bit only). The app uses APIs and security features that are not available in older Windows versions. If you’re still on Windows 7, consider upgrading or using the web client instead.
Does BatChat work on ARM-based Windows devices?
The official Windows build is compiled for x86-64. It will run on ARM-based Windows devices (like Surface Pro X) through Microsoft’s emulation layer, but performance may be reduced. There is no native ARM64 build at this time.
How do I update BatChat on PC?
BatChat can auto-update. When a new version is available, you will see a prompt in the app asking you to restart. You can also check for updates manually in Settings > About > Check for updates. The current version is v4.7.0.
Is the Windows version as secure as the mobile version?
Yes. Both platforms use the same encryption protocol (RSA + SRP + Double Ratchet). The Windows client also supports the same security features — preset secret codes, screenshot blocking, and unlock passwords. The primary trade-off is that desktop environments are more exposed to physical access compared to phones, which is why enabling the unlock password feature on PC is especially important.
Ready to get started? Head to our download page to grab the latest Windows installer.