TL;DR: Download BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) from the Apple App Store. Requires iOS 15 or later. The app is free and includes end-to-end encryption, secret chat mode, and disappearing messages.
How to Download BatChat on iPhone and iPad
BatChat (蝙蝠聊天) is an encrypted messaging app developed by BatChat, Inc. (成都飞蝠科技有限公司). On iOS, it delivers the full suite of security features — end-to-end encryption, screenshot blocking, preset secret codes (预设密信), and disappearing messages — through a native App Store distribution.
This guide covers downloading BatChat (蝙蝠聊天 iPhone) from the App Store, setting up your account, configuring iOS notifications, and resolving common problems that users encounter during installation and daily use.
iOS Version Requirements
BatChat requires iOS 15.0 or later. The app supports all iPhone and iPad models that can run iOS 15:
| Device Category | Supported Models |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone 6s and newer |
| iPad | iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad mini 4 and newer, iPad Pro (all generations), iPad (5th gen and newer) |
| iPod touch | 7th generation |
The app itself is approximately 95 MB. After installation, expect it to use 200-400 MB of storage depending on your message history, cached media, and avatar data.
To check your iOS version, open Settings > General > About and look for the Software Version field. If you are running an older version of iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest available update.
Downloading BatChat from the App Store
Step 1: Open the App Store
Tap the App Store icon on your home screen. The app has a blue icon with a stylized “A.”
Step 2: Search for BatChat
Tap the Search tab at the bottom of the screen, then type “BatChat” (or “蝙蝠聊天”) into the search bar. Look for the app developed by 成都飞蝠科技有限公司.
The developer name is important — there may be similarly named apps in the search results. The correct listing shows “BatChat, Inc.” as the developer and includes screenshots of the app’s chat interface with its security features.
Step 3: Install the App
Tap the Get button (or the download cloud icon if you’ve installed it before). You may need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
Step 4: Wait for Installation
The download takes 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on your internet speed. Once complete, the BatChat icon appears on your home screen — a purple bat logo on a dark background.
Note: If you see an “App Not Available” error, your device is running an iOS version older than 15.0. You need to update iOS first.
Creating Your Account
Launch BatChat and follow the registration flow:
- Phone number: Enter your number with the country code. Use the format +[country code][number] (e.g., +86 for China, +1 for the US, +44 for the UK)
- SMS verification: A 6-digit code is sent to your phone. Enter it within 10 minutes before it expires
- Profile setup: Choose a display name. You can also add a profile picture or a BatChat Avatar (蝙蝠形象) — a customizable virtual character with various outfits, hairstyles, and expressions
- Unlock password (解锁密码): Enable this for biometric protection. With Face ID or Touch ID enabled, no one can open BatChat on your phone without your biometric authentication, even if the phone is unlocked
Configuring iOS Notifications
Notifications are critical for a messaging app. Without proper setup, you will miss incoming messages entirely.
Allow Notifications in iOS Settings
- Open Settings > Notifications
- Scroll to BatChat and tap it
- Ensure Allow Notifications is toggled ON
- Under Alerts, enable:
- Lock Screen — see message previews on your lock screen
- Notification Center — messages appear in your notification history
- Banners — pop-up notifications at the top of the screen
- Under Options, choose your preferred notification style:
- Temporary: Banners appear briefly then disappear
- Persistent: Banners stay until you dismiss them
- Enable Sounds and Badges (the red circle with a number on the app icon)
Configure In-App Notification Preferences
Inside BatChat, go to Settings > Notifications and verify:
- Message notifications: Enabled
- Group chat notifications: Enabled (or set to “Mentions Only” if you prefer to avoid noise from large groups)
- Call notifications: Enabled for voice and video calls
- Notification preview: Choose between Always Show, When Unlocked, or Never Show. For maximum privacy, select Never Show — the notification will display “New message” without revealing the sender or content
Focus Mode Compatibility
iOS Focus modes (Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Work, Personal) can suppress BatChat notifications. If you’re not receiving alerts:
- Go to Settings > Focus
- Check which Focus mode is currently active
- Tap into the active Focus mode, scroll to Allowed Apps, and ensure BatChat is added to the allowed list
- Alternatively, go to Settings > Focus > [Mode] > People and add important BatChat contacts as “Allowed People”
BatChat Security Features on iOS
Screenshot and Screen Recording Protection (截屏防护)
This is one of BatChat’s most distinctive features. When enabled, it prevents anyone from capturing your chat content through:
- iOS native screenshot (power button + volume up)
- Screen recording (Control Center > Screen Recording)
- AirPlay mirroring to another device
When someone attempts a screenshot while viewing a BatChat conversation, the capture produces a black or blank image. The app detects the screen capture attempt and blocks it at the OS level.
To enable: Go to the chat with a specific contact, tap the contact name at the top, then enable Screenshot Protection.
Preset Secret Codes (预设密信)
This feature adds a passphrase lock on top of individual conversations:
- Open a chat with your contact
- Tap the contact name > Preset Secret Code
- Set a custom passphrase
- Share this code with your contact through a separate channel (not through BatChat)
- Both users must enter the correct code to open that chat
Even if someone gains physical access to your unlocked phone, they cannot read conversations protected by preset secret codes without knowing the passphrase.
Disappearing Messages
Set a self-destruct timer for any chat:
- Open the chat
- Tap the contact name > Disappearing Messages
- Choose a duration: 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 day
Once a timer is active, all new messages in that chat automatically delete after the specified period. This applies to both sent and received messages. Note that disappearing messages do not affect media files saved to your Camera Roll — they only delete the in-app copies.
End-to-End Encryption
BatChat uses RSA + SRP + Double Ratchet for encryption. This is the same cryptographic foundation as Signal’s protocol. Messages are encrypted on your iPhone before transmission. BatChat’s servers route the encrypted data but never have access to the plaintext content. The company states that their servers maintain zero data storage (服务器零数据存储).
Multi-Device Usage
BatChat supports linking your iPhone with up to 4 additional devices. To link a new device:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Devices > Link New Device
- A QR code appears
- Open BatChat on the target device (Mac, Windows PC, or another phone)
- Scan the QR code from the new device
Linked devices receive full message sync. Messages sent from any device appear on all others. If you unlink a device, it immediately loses access to new messages.
Common iOS Issues and Fixes
”Unable to Verify App” Error
This rarely happens with App Store apps, but if you encounter it:
- Force restart your iPhone: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
- Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and verify your Apple ID is correctly signed in
- Try downloading the app again from the App Store
Notifications Stop After iOS Update
After a major iOS update (e.g., from iOS 17 to iOS 18), notification permissions sometimes reset:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > BatChat
- Re-enable all notification options
- Also check Settings > BatChat and re-grant any permissions that were reset
Battery Drain
BatChat uses background fetch to check for new messages. If you notice unusual battery drain:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Find BatChat and set it to Wi-Fi (instead of Wi-Fi & Cellular) to reduce background activity when you’re on mobile data
- Inside BatChat, go to Settings > Advanced and disable Auto-download media if you frequently receive large files
App Crashes on Launch
If BatChat crashes immediately after opening:
- Force close the app: swipe up from the bottom of your screen and swipe BatChat away
- Offload the app: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > BatChat > Offload App
- Reinstall from the App Store (your message history is tied to your account, not the local installation — it will resync)
- If the issue persists, restart your iPhone and try again
Cannot Receive Verification Code
If the SMS verification code never arrives:
- Double-check your phone number and country code
- Ensure your phone has cellular service and can receive standard SMS (not just iMessage)
- Wait 60 seconds and tap Resend Code
- If you have a dual-SIM phone, make sure the correct SIM is selected for SMS reception
- Contact BatChat support at support@batchat.com if the issue persists after multiple attempts
Uninstalling BatChat from iOS
To remove BatChat:
- Press and hold the BatChat icon on your home screen
- Tap Remove App
- Tap Delete App to remove it completely (choose “Remove from Home Screen” if you want to keep the data but hide the icon)
Deleting the app removes all local message caches and encryption keys from your iPhone. Your account remains active — logging in on another device will still work, and your messages re-sync from the encrypted server relay (note: BatChat’s server does not store message content, but message metadata for sync may persist temporarily).
FAQ
Is BatChat free on iPhone?
Yes. The iOS app is free to download from the App Store and free to use. All security features — encryption, screenshot protection, preset secret codes, disappearing messages — are included at no cost. An optional VIP subscription offers additional perks like larger file transfers and extended cloud backup.
Does BatChat work on iPad?
Yes. BatChat is a universal iOS app that runs on both iPhone and iPad. On iPad, the interface adapts to the larger screen with a split-view layout for chat lists and conversations. All features available on iPhone work identically on iPad.
Can I use BatChat without a Chinese phone number?
Yes. BatChat accepts phone numbers from any country. You just need to enter the correct international dialing code (e.g., +1 for the US, +44 for the UK, +81 for Japan) during registration. The app is primarily used in China but has an international user base.
Does BatChat support iOS widgets?
BatChat offers a limited widget on iOS 14 and later that shows an unread message count on your home screen. It does not display message previews due to the app’s security model — even the widget respects the encryption boundary.
How is BatChat different from Signal on iOS?
Both use strong end-to-end encryption (Double Ratchet-based), but they differ in features. BatChat offers screenshot blocking, preset secret codes per chat, virtual avatars (蝙蝠形象), and is designed primarily for the Chinese market. Signal is open-source and has been independently audited. BatChat’s source code is not publicly available. Choose based on whether you need BatChat’s unique security features or prefer Signal’s open-source transparency.
Ready to get started? Visit our download page for the direct App Store link.