Parlons! user manual

Private chat with nobody in the middle.

This manual covers:

• Parlons! for Android, version 0.6.145. This is the full app. Your identity lives on the phone.
• Parlons Desktop, version 1.5.115, for Mac, Windows and Linux. This is the full app for a computer. It installs as MaximaNode.
• Parlons Cloud for Android (version 0.2.90) and iPhone, briefly. These pair with an always-on Parlons account. The Parlons Cloud manual covers the Portal in depth, and the Parlons Node manual covers running an account server.

All downloads are on the releases page: https://github.com/eurobuddha/maxima/releases

Every task in this manual has numbered steps. Labels in bold are the exact words you see on screen in English. Where Android and Desktop differ, each has its own steps.

1What Parlons is

Parlons is private chat with no company in the middle.

• There is no sign-up. No phone number, no email, no account with anyone.
• Your messages are sealed on your device before they leave it. Only the person you wrote to can open them.
• Sealed messages are carried by relays that people like you run. Relays cannot read them.
• Your identity is 24 words. The same words are also a Minima wallet. Whoever holds the words is you.

What you can do with it:

• One-to-one chats and groups of up to 12 people.
• Photos, voice notes, and shared contacts.
• Private files up to 512 MB, sent encrypted, straight between the people in the chat.
• Voice and video calls (Android).
• Send Minima or MxUSD, the Minima dollar token, inside a chat.
• Use the app in English, Simplified Chinese, Russian or Ukrainian.

Parlons is open source and community-run. There is no help desk, because there is no company account to look up. This manual, the in-app "What is this?" explanations, and the issue tracker are the support.

2How it works

You do not need to understand this to use Parlons. It helps when something goes wrong.

Your device has no fixed address, so it borrows one

A phone on Wi-Fi or mobile data cannot normally accept incoming connections. So Parlons connects out to a few relays (the app also calls them hosts). Each relay holds that connection open. Anything addressed to you comes back down it.

• Connected means at least one relay is holding a connection for you.
• Not connected means nobody can reach you right now. You can still write. Messages go out when a relay comes back.

Parlons attaches to several relays at once. If one goes down, the others still carry you.

Messages are sealed end to end

Every message is encrypted on the sender's device with the recipient's key and signed by the sender. A relay sees a sealed blob and a routing key. It can tell that someone is sending to a key. It can never tell what.

Messages to someone who is offline wait for them

If the person you write to is offline, the sealed message is held in a mailbox until they come back. The app also keeps your own unsent messages in an outbox and retries them.

The ticks tell you the truth

Two ticks come from the recipient's device itself, not from a relay. That is why you can trust them.

3Which app do I need?

Answer one question: do you want to chat on this device, or have one account on every device?

What each app can do

Parlons Cloud for Android can also place and answer calls and send payments for a paired account. Parlons for iPhone has no calls and no payment sending yet.

4Install

4.1 Android

You need an Android phone running Android 9 or newer, and a pen and paper.

Parlons is not in the Play Store. It is a direct download, signed by its authors.

1. On the phone, open the releases page: https://github.com/eurobuddha/maxima/releases
2. Find the Parlons Android release 0.6.145 and tap its .apk file to download it.
3. Android asks whether to allow installs from your browser. Allow it for this install. You can turn it off again afterwards in Settings, Apps, Special app access, Install unknown apps.
4. Tap Install, then Open.

If you already use the PandaApps store on your phone, Parlons! is listed there too and updates through it.

Updating. Install the new APK over the old one. Your identity, contacts and chats stay.

4.2 Mac

1. Download the Parlons Desktop 1.5.115 disk image (.dmg) from the releases page. It is signed and notarized, so macOS opens it without warnings.
2. Open the disk image. Drag MaximaNode into Applications.
3. Open it from Applications. It brings its own Java. There is nothing else to install.

Requires an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or later) with macOS 13 or newer. The disk image is built for arm64 only.

Updating. Install the new disk image over the old app. Your data in ~/.maxima stays.

4.3 Windows

1. Download the Parlons Desktop 1.5.115 installer (.msi) from the releases page.
2. Run it. Windows may show a blue Windows protected your PC box, because the installer is not yet signed with a Microsoft certificate. Click More info, then Run anyway.
3. Choose a folder. The default is fine. It installs for your user only, needs no administrator, and adds Parlons to the Start menu. It brings its own Java.

Requires Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit.

Updating. Run the new installer over the old one. Your data stays.

4.4 Linux

Parlons Desktop is a 64-bit x86 package for Debian, Ubuntu and their relatives. It brings its own Java.

1. Download the Parlons Desktop 1.5.115 .deb package from the releases page.
2. In a terminal, in the folder where you saved it, run:

   sudo apt install ./maximanode_1.5.115_amd64.deb

3. Open MaximaNode from your applications menu. The launcher is /opt/maximanode/bin/MaximaNode.

There is no ARM build of the desktop app. On a Raspberry Pi, run a Parlons account instead (section 21).

Updating. Install the new package over the old one. Your data in ~/.maxima stays.

4.5 iPhone

The iPhone app is Parlons Cloud for iPhone. It does not hold an identity of its own. It pairs with a Parlons account. Apple does not let an app stay reachable in the background, so this is the only way an iPhone can receive messages while the app is closed.

The iPhone app is not yet in the App Store. Check the releases page and the issue tracker for how to get a test build. It needs iOS 17 or newer. See section 21 for pairing.

5First run: your identity

5.1 Android

1. Choose a language. The first time you open Parlons, a window titled Language · 语言 · Язык · Мова appears. Tap your language. You can change it later.
2. The welcome screen says Parlons! and offers:
   • Create new identity
   • Restore from seed phrase
   • Change language

Create a new identity

1. Tap Create new identity.
2. A window titled Write these 24 words down appears. The words are numbered. Screenshots are blocked on this screen.
3. Write all 24 words on paper, in order, with their numbers.
4. Check every word against the screen.
5. Tap I've saved them only when you have.

There is a Copy button. It puts the words on the clipboard and clears it after 60 seconds. Avoid it if you can. Other apps can read the clipboard, and a clipboard manager may keep a copy.

Restore an identity you already have

Use this only if the device that held those words is no longer running Parlons. One identity must live in one place at a time.

1. Tap Restore from seed phrase.
2. Type or paste your phrase in Enter your seed phrase. Screenshots are blocked on this screen.
3. If your phrase came from Minima's "anyphrase" mode (a custom phrase, not 24 standard words), tick Custom phrase (Minima anyphrase). Then type it exactly, with every capital letter and space as it was.
4. Tap Restore.
5. You see Your identity is restored on this phone. Tap Start.

You may also see one of these notes:

• "Note: no BIP39 checksum — normal for a phrase from a Minima node. Restored anyway." This is normal for a phrase that came from a Minima node.
• "Custom phrase restored exactly as entered." You used custom phrase mode.

The restore window also warns about key uses. Your wallet signs with one-time keys. The words alone do not carry the count of keys already used. If this phrase has ever signed transactions on another wallet or node, do not send funds from Parlons until you have checked. A full encrypted backup (section 20) carries the real count.

After the first screen

1. Android asks to send you notifications. Allow it. Without it you will not see messages arriving.
2. Open Settings: tap the three dots (top right), then Settings. Under Node & power, check Battery exemption. If it says not set, tap Fix battery settings and allow Parlons to run without restrictions. Android kills background apps, and for a chat app that means missed messages, especially overnight.
3. In Settings, under Your name, type the name your contacts should see and tap Set. Names are up to 32 characters.

5.2 Parlons Desktop

1. Open MaximaNode.
2. The app creates your identity and shows a window titled Back up your Maxima seed, with the message "Your Maxima node created a new identity." and your 24 words.
3. Write them down now, in order.
4. The words are also saved, readable only by your user account, in a file:

   System	Seed file
   Mac	~/.maxima/seed.txt
   Linux	~/.maxima/seed.txt
   Windows	C:\Users\<you>\.maxima\seed.txt

5. You land on the Chats tab.
6. Give yourself a name. Click the three dots button (top right). It opens Settings. Under Your name, type your name in Display name and click Set.

The backup window appears only on the very first launch. If you missed it, see section 18.2 to show the words again.

6A tour of the app

6.1 Android

The top bar shows Parlons!, the version, and a status pill. The pill shows how many relays (hosts) you are connected to, or offline.

Top-bar buttons:

Four tabs show under the top bar. Tap a tab, or swipe sideways:

Settings has no tab of its own. It holds language, name, privacy, appearance, power, keys and backup.

How to open Settings (Android)

1. Tap the three dots at the top right.
2. Tap Settings.

You can also swipe left once more from the Network tab.

How to change the theme (Android)

1. Tap the Theme button in the top bar.
2. Each tap moves to the next choice: System, Light, Dark.

Or open Settings, go to Appearance, and tap System, Light or Dark.

Many cards have a What is this? link, a ? or an info button. It opens a short, plain explanation. Use them.

6.2 Parlons Desktop

The window has four tabs: Chats, Contacts, Wallet, Network. The top bar has a Theme button, a Search button and a three dots button. The bottom says "Powered by Maxima".

The app also puts an icon in the menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows, Linux). Its menu has:

• Copy my public address
• Re-check reachability
• Open data folder
• Change language
• Quit

Only one copy runs at a time. If you open it twice you see "Maxima is already running."

How to open Settings (Desktop)

1. Click the three dots button at the top right of the window.
2. The Settings page opens.

How to change the theme (Desktop)

1. Click the Theme button (sun or moon) in the top bar. It switches between Light and Dark.
2. To follow your computer's own setting instead, open Settings, go to Appearance, and click System.

How to change the text size (Desktop)

1. Press Ctrl + to make text bigger, or Ctrl − to make it smaller. On a Mac, Command + and Command − work too.
2. Each press moves one step. The range is 80% to 150%.
3. Press Ctrl 0 (or Command 0) to go back to 100%.

The size is remembered the next time you open the app.

How to use the tray menu (Desktop)

1. Click the Parlons icon in the menu bar (Mac) or the system tray (Windows, Linux).
2. Choose an item:
   • Copy my public address puts your full address on the clipboard.
   • Re-check reachability tests again whether the internet can reach this computer.
   • Open data folder opens the .maxima folder.
   • Change language opens the language list.
   • Quit closes the app completely.

7Your address

Your address is how people reach you. It is a public key, not a phone number.

The two forms

Both are long. They are always shown in full, and you should always copy them in full. A shortened address cannot be used.

Show and share your address (Android)

1. Open the Contacts tab. The card at the top says Your Parlons address.
2. Tap Share my address.
3. A QR code appears, with your full address underneath. Tap the address to copy it.
4. Tap Share… to send it by any other app, or let a friend scan the QR.

If you have a permanent address, the sheet says: "Your PERMANENT address — it survives every host move." Otherwise it says how many relays you are reachable through.

If you see "Couldn't resolve a shareable IP address.", check your connection and open the sheet again.

Show and share your address (Desktop)

1. Open the Contacts tab. The card says Your Maxima address.
2. Click Share my address. A window opens with a QR code for a phone to scan.
3. Under the QR, each address is shown in full. With a permanent address you see permanent MAX# address and current address. Without one you see maxima address. Click an address to copy it. The tooltip says Click to copy.
4. Paste it into an email or any other message to the person.

If you see "Couldn't resolve a shareable address. Try again when online.", check your connection and click Share my address again.

Get a permanent address

A permanent MAX# address comes from a location service (also called MLS). It answers one question: "what is the current address for this identity?"

How to get a permanent address (Android)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Find the card Location service · finds you when you move and tap Location settings.
3. Choose one:
   • Use the eurobuddha pool (register). You see "Registered — you have a permanent MAX# address".
   • Make this my permanent address, to pin the location service your relay offers you.
   • Enter a location service yourself (it must be in the form Mx<key>@<host>:<port>) and tap Pin this MLS.
   • Use the host's directory goes back to the default.

How to get a permanent address (Desktop)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Find the card Location service · finds you when you move. It shows your location address and its Mode: static (pinned) or rotating (host-assigned).
3. Click Location settings.
4. Choose one:
   • Use the eurobuddha pool (register). You see "Registered — permanent MAX# address active".
   • Enter a location service in the form Mx<key>@<host>:<port> and click Pin this MLS.
   • Use the host's directory goes back to the default.

Your permanent address then shows as permanent MAX# address. Click it to copy it in full.

8Adding people

Adding someone is a handshake. You introduce yourself to their address. They appear in your list when their device answers. If their device is off, the introduction waits.

8.1 Android: scan or paste

1. Open the Contacts tab and tap + Add.
2. Either:
   • Tap Scan their QR and point the camera at their screen. Allow the camera the first time. Or
   • Paste their address in the field (it starts with Mx or MAX#).
3. Tap Introduce myself.
4. You see "Introduction sent — waiting for them to reply".

They appear in your list the moment their device answers.

You can also tap the three dots, then Scan QR. A scanned address goes to the Contacts tab.

8.2 Desktop: paste

There is no camera on the desktop. People scan you; you paste them.

1. Open the Contacts tab and click Add contact.
2. Paste their address (Mx<key>@<host>:<port> or MAX#<key>#<location service> permanent form).
3. Click Introduce myself.
4. You see "Introduction sent. They'll appear once they reply."

8.3 Share a contact with someone else

You can pass one contact's address to another contact as a contact card.

How to send a contact card (Android)

1. Open the Contacts tab and tap the person you want to share.
2. Tap Send to a contact…. (Share… next to it sends the address through another app instead.)
3. In Send {name} to…, tap who should receive it.
4. You see "Contact sent to {name}".

How to send a contact card (Desktop)

1. Open the Contacts tab and click the person you want to share.
2. Click Send to a contact….
3. Click who should receive it.

To copy the address yourself instead, click Copy share address in the same window.

How to add someone from a contact card (Android)

1. In the chat, tap the card. It says Shared contact and Tap to add this contact.
2. A window asks "Add {name}?" and shows their full address.
3. Tap Add contact to send them an introduction. Or tap Copy address to copy it in full.
4. You see "Introduction sent - they appear in Contacts once they answer".

8.4 A contact's details

Tap (Android) or click (Desktop) a contact in the Contacts tab. You see:

• Message, to open the chat.
• Parlons address (Desktop: maxima address), and each host they are reachable through (Host 1, Host 2 …). Tap to copy.
• Share address (permanent), if they have one.
• Share… (Android) or Copy share address (Desktop), and Send to a contact…
• Payment address (MINIMA), once they have shared a wallet address.
• Software, and Last seen (or Online now).
• Remove contact.

How to remove a contact (Android)

1. Open the Contacts tab and tap the person.
2. Scroll down and tap Remove contact.
3. A window asks "Remove {name}?". Tap Remove.

How to remove a contact (Desktop)

1. Open the Contacts tab and click the person.
2. Click Remove contact. The contact is removed at once. There is no second question.

Removing someone only removes them from your list. They keep your address and can still write to you.

How to find a contact

1. Open the Contacts tab.
2. Type part of a name in the search field (Search contacts on Android, Search on Desktop).
3. The list shows only the people who match.

8.5 Status words next to contacts

People on classic Maxima can chat with you. They cannot take calls or play voice notes.

9Chats

9.1 Start a chat

How to start a chat (Android)

1. Open the Contacts tab.
2. Tap the person.
3. Tap Message.

To go back to a chat you already have, open the Chats tab and tap it.

How to start a chat (Desktop)

1. Open the Chats tab.
2. Click the round New chat button.
3. Click the person in the list.

Or open the Contacts tab, click the person, and click Message.

A new chat says: "This is the start of your conversation with {name}. Messages are end-to-end encrypted - only the two of you can read them."

How to send a message

1. Open the chat.
2. Type in the Message field.
3. Tap (or click) Send. On Desktop you can also press Enter.

How to add an emoji

1. In the chat, tap (or click) the Emoji button.
2. Pick a group: Smileys, Gestures, Hearts, Animals & nature, Food & drink or Objects & symbols.
3. Tap an emoji. It goes into the message field. Send as usual.

9.2 The message bar (Android)

From left to right:

The chat header has Video call, Voice call, a theme button and an info button. In a group, info shows the members.

How to see a contact's details from a chat

1. Open the chat.
2. Android: tap the info button in the header. Desktop: click the name at the top of the conversation.
3. You see the contact's name, full key and addresses. In a group you see the Members, with (admin) next to each admin.
4. On Android, tap What do the ticks mean? for a short explanation of the ticks. Tap Close when done.

9.3 Long-press a message (Android)

How to copy, save or check a message (Android)

1. Long-press the message bubble.
2. Tap one of the choices. You only see the ones that fit that message:
   • Copy message, Copy caption or Copy contact address.
   • Copy transaction id, on a payment. The full id is copied. You see "Transaction id copied".
   • Save photo or Share photo, on a photo. A saved photo shows "Saved to Photos".
   • Info: who sent it, when, and its state (Sending…, Sent (relay took it), Delivered, Read, Failed to send). On a payment, Info also shows the full Transaction id and a Copy tx id button.

9.4 Right-click a message (Desktop)

How to copy, open or check a message (Desktop)

1. Right-click the message.
2. Choose one of the items. You only see the ones that fit that message:
   • Copy message, Copy caption or Copy contact address.
   • Copy transaction id, on a payment. The full id is copied.
   • Open image, on a photo.
   • Info. It shows who sent it, Sent: and Arrived: times, and its status. A message that arrived late shows "sent … · arrived …".

9.5 Manage a chat

How to mark a chat as read

1. Open the Chats tab.
2. Long-press the chat (Android) or right-click it (Desktop).
3. Choose Mark as read.

How to clear a chat

Clear messages deletes every message in that chat on this device only. It does not unsend anything and does not leave a group. It cannot be undone.

1. Open the Chats tab.
2. Long-press the chat (Android) or right-click it (Desktop).
3. Choose Clear messages.
4. A window asks Clear this chat?. Confirm with Clear (Android) or OK (Desktop).

9.6 Search

How to search (Android)

1. Tap the magnifier in the top bar. Or tap the three dots, then Search.
2. Type in Search messages….
3. Results are grouped under Contacts & groups and Messages. Tap a result to open it.

How to search (Desktop)

1. Click the magnifier in the top bar. The app jumps to the Chats tab.
2. Type in Search chats. The chat list shows only the matches.
3. Click a result to open it.

9.7 Read receipts

Read receipts are off by default. Delivery (two grey ticks) is always on. That is the transport doing its job.

How to turn read receipts on or off

1. Open Settings (Android: three dots, then Settings. Desktop: the three dots button).
2. Under Privacy, find Read receipts.
3. Turn the switch on or off. When on, the line under it says "Contacts are told when you read their message". When off it says "Contacts see delivery only, never when you read".

The setting applies to everyone. There is no per-contact setting.

10Groups

How groups work

A group message is sealed separately to every member and sent to each of them. There is no shared group key. This means:

• Removing someone removes them immediately. There is no key they still hold.
• Breaking one member's keys does not open the group.
• Only an admin can change who is in the group.
• Only current members can post. This is checked on arrival, not just in the app.

Limits

If you pick too many people you see "A group holds at most 12 people including you — pick fewer".

Create a group (Android)

1. Tap the three dots in the top bar, then New group.
2. Under Who is in the group?, tick the people. Tap Next.
3. Under Name the group, type a name. Tap Create.

You need at least one contact first. Tap How groups work in the picker for the rules above.

Create a group (Desktop)

1. On the Chats tab, click the round New chat button.
2. Click New group at the top of the list.
3. Type a name in Group name.
4. Under Who is in the group?, tick at least one person.
5. Click Create.

Click How groups work in the same window for the rules above.

Change members

Only an admin can do this. You are the admin of a group you create.

How to change members (Android)

1. Open the group and tap the info button.
2. Tap Edit members. You only see it if you are an admin.
3. In Members, tick or untick people.
4. Tap Save.

How to change members (Desktop)

1. Open the group and click its name at the top of the conversation.
2. Click Edit members. You only see it if you are an admin.
3. In Members, tick or untick people.
4. Click Save.

You always stay in a group you are admin of. If you tick too many people you see the 12-person limit message and nothing changes.

There is no "leave group" button. To stop seeing a group, use Clear messages (section 9.5), or ask an admin to remove you.

11Photos, voice notes and the photo gallery

Size limit

A photo, voice note or other media in a message can be at most 16 MB. A larger file shows "Too big: 16 MB is the most a message can carry". For bigger files, use a private file (section 12).

Send a photo (Android)

1. In a chat, tap Attach, then Photo library. Or tap the camera button to take a new photo.
2. Pick the photo, or take it.
3. Under Send photo, add an optional caption in Add a caption….
4. Tap Send. You see "Sending photo…".

Send a photo (Desktop)

How to send a photo from a file (Desktop)

1. In a chat, click Attach, then Photo….
2. Pick an image file.
3. In Send a photo, add an optional Caption (optional).
4. Send it.

How to paste a photo (Desktop)

1. Copy a screenshot or image, or an image file in your file manager.
2. Click in the conversation.
3. Press Ctrl V (Command V on a Mac). A preview appears.
4. Add a caption if you like.
5. Choose Send, or Cancel.

Pasted images are limited to 32 MB on the clipboard before they are prepared for sending. Ordinary text copy and paste work as usual.

The photo gallery

Tapping any photo in a chat opens a gallery of every photo in that conversation, sent and received, in chat order.

How to browse, save and share photos (Android)

1. In a chat, tap a photo. The gallery opens on it.
2. Swipe sideways to move to newer or older photos.
3. Pinch to zoom, drag to pan, double-tap to reset.
4. Tap Save to save it to Photos, or Share to send it through another app.
5. If a photo shows "Photo unavailable · tap to retry", tap it.
6. Use the back button or the close button to leave the gallery.

How to browse and save photos (Desktop)

1. In a chat, click a photo. The viewer opens on it.
2. Press the left and right arrow keys, or drag sideways, to move between photos.
3. Use the mouse wheel to zoom, drag to pan, and double-click to reset.
4. Click Save image to save a copy.
5. Press Escape to close the viewer.

The gallery is a snapshot. Close and reopen it to include photos that arrive while it is open.

Voice notes

How to record a voice note (Android)

1. In a chat with an empty message field, tap the microphone button. Or tap Attach, then Voice note.
2. Allow the microphone the first time.
3. Speak. A timer and waveform show the recording. The limit is 60 seconds.
4. Tap Send, or Cancel.

If the recording is under a second you see "Too short - hold on a moment longer".

How to record a voice note (Desktop)

1. In a chat, click Attach, then Voice note.
2. Allow the microphone if your computer asks. The window shows ● Recording and a waveform.
3. Speak. The limit is 60 seconds. At the limit, recording stops and the note is sent.
4. Click Send, or Cancel.

If there is no microphone you see "No microphone available."

How to play a voice note

1. Tap (or click) Play on the voice note.
2. Tap it again to stop.

Voice notes need Parlons on both ends; a contact on classic Maxima cannot receive them.

12Private files

Private files let you send a file of up to 512 MB inside a chat. The file is encrypted with a fresh key and sent in encrypted pieces directly between the people in the conversation. There is no central server and no public index.

Send a private file

How to send a private file (Android)

1. In a chat, tap Attach, then Private file.
2. Pick a file (up to 512 MB).
3. A window titled Sending private file shows "Preparing…" while the file is encrypted. Tap Hide to close the window; the work carries on.

How to send a private file (Desktop)

1. In a chat, click Attach, then Private file….
2. In Send private file (up to 512 MB), pick the file.

The chat shows a file card with the name and size.

Receive a private file

Receiving does not start by itself. You choose.

How to receive a private file

1. Tap (or click) the file card. It says "Tap Download to receive this encrypted file. Keep a participant online until it finishes."
2. Tap Download.
3. Wait. The status moves through Connecting, Downloading and Verifying.
4. When it says Complete or Ready · sharing, tap Save file….
5. Choose where to save it. You see "File saved".

Transfer controls

How to pause, resume, save or remove a transfer

1. In the chat, tap (or click) Attach, then File transfers. You see every transfer this device keeps. (Or tap the file card itself.)
2. Tap (or click) a transfer.
3. Use the control you need:

If there are none you see "No local file transfers".

While you are downloading, your device may also upload encrypted pieces to the other people in the chat. That helps everyone finish faster.

After a restart, transfers that were active resume by themselves. Transfers you paused stay paused.

Status words

Limits and conditions

• At least one person in the chat must be reachable, either directly from the internet (section 19) or on the same local network. If nobody is reachable, the transfer waits. There is no central server to fall back on.
• Both sides need a version of Parlons that supports private files. An older app shows "Private file · update Parlons to open".
• Once someone has the file and its key, you cannot take it back.
• People in the transfer can see each other's internet addresses. Private files are encrypted, not anonymous.

13Voice and video calls

Calls work in the Android app and in Parlons Cloud for Android. Parlons Desktop does not carry call audio or video: it shows an incoming call ("Answer on your phone — the desktop app does not carry call audio/video yet.") and declines it politely so the caller is not left ringing. The Video call and Voice call buttons on Desktop only explain this. The iPhone app has no calls yet.

Place a call (Android)

1. Open a one-to-one chat.
2. Tap Voice call or Video call in the chat header.
3. Allow the microphone (and the camera, for video) when asked.
4. The screen shows Calling…, then Connecting…, then the call.

During a call:

Answer a call (Android)

An incoming call rings with your ringtone and shows Incoming Parlons call or Incoming Parlons video call. It can show over the lock screen. An unanswered call stops ringing after about 45 seconds.

1. Tap Answer to take the call, or Decline to refuse it.
2. Allow the microphone (and camera, for video) if asked.
3. Use the in-call buttons as above. Tap End to hang up.

How to make calls ring on the lock screen (Android)

1. Open Settings (three dots, then Settings).
2. Under Privacy, find Incoming calls.
3. If it says "Allow full-screen alerts to show calls on the lock screen", tap the row (it shows ALLOW) and allow it in the Android screen that opens.
4. Once allowed, the row says "Ringtone, vibration and call alerts" and shows SETTINGS. Tap it to choose ringtone and vibration.

Call limits

• Calls are one-to-one. "Group calls are not supported yet".
• Both people need Parlons. "Calls need Parlons on both ends".
• Calls set up a direct connection between the two devices. Parlons does not route call audio through a relay server. Some networks (some mobile carriers, some strict routers) block direct connections. Then the call shows Could not connect or Call couldn't connect. Try again with one or both people on Wi-Fi.

Call history appears in the chat, for example "Voice call · 2:35", Missed call, No answer, Busy, or "Answered on another device".

14Links in chats

Web links in messages and photo captions are clickable. This includes http://, https://, www. and bare domain names (which open as HTTPS).

How to open a link

1. Tap (or click) the link in the message.
2. It opens in your normal browser.

How to copy or share a link (Android)

1. Long-press the link.
2. Tap Open link, Copy link or Share link.

How to copy or share a link (Desktop)

1. Right-click the link.
2. Choose Open link, Copy link or Copy link to share.
3. After Copy link to share, paste the link into the conversation or app you want to share it with.

Parlons never fetches link previews, and never runs HTML or formatting from a received message. Nothing is loaded until you tap.

15Payments: Minima and MxUSD

Your 24 words are also a Minima wallet. Parlons can send two kinds of money:

• Minima, the native coin.
• MxUSD, the Minima dollar token. Its token id is:

  0x7D39745FBD29049BE29850B55A18BF550E4D442F930F86266E34193D89042A90

Payments are real and cannot be undone. Transactions are built and signed on your device. Only the signed transaction leaves it.

15.1 Pay someone in a chat (Android)

1. Open a one-to-one chat. Payments are not available in groups.
2. Tap Attach, then Send payment.
3. In Pay {name}, choose Minima or MxUSD.
4. Enter the amount in Amount (MINIMA) or Amount (MxUSD), and an optional Note (optional).
5. Tap Send. A confirmation says "Send {amount} {token}?" and "This signs and broadcasts a real transaction and cannot be undone."
6. Tap Confirm. You see "Signing payment…", then Payment sent.

The chat shows a payment bubble. Long-press it and tap Copy transaction id to copy the full id.

If you see "No wallet address yet — ask them to open this chat", the other person's app has not shared its wallet address with you yet. Ask them to open your chat.

15.2 Pay someone in a chat (Desktop)

1. Open a one-to-one chat with a contact. Click Attach, then Send payment.
2. The window says To {name}. Choose Minima or MxUSD.
3. Enter an amount and an optional note (optional).
4. Click Sign & send.

The chat shows "↑ You sent" or "↓ You received". Right-click the payment and choose Copy transaction id to copy the full id.

If you see "No wallet address for this contact yet — they need to share one.", ask them to open your chat in their app.

15.3 The Wallet tab

The Wallet tab (Android and Desktop) has two views: Balance and History. Tap (or click) either name at the top to switch.

Balance shows:

• Your total balance and the amount sendable now. Coins that are still confirming are not sendable yet.
• YOUR TOKENS (Desktop: Tokens), including MxUSD.
• Signatures used: "{remaining} of {maximum} signatures left · each send spends one". See section 15.4.
• Send and Receive.

How to unlock coins that are still syncing (Android)

1. Open the Wallet tab.
2. If the line under the balance says "… sendable · tap Sync to unlock the rest", tap that line.
3. You see "Syncing coins…", then "Coins synced — … now spendable".

How to see a token's details

1. Open the Wallet tab, on Balance.
2. Tap (or click) a token under YOUR TOKENS (Desktop: Tokens).
3. You see its full Token ID, Total supply and Coins. Tap the Token ID to copy it.

How to receive Minima or MxUSD

1. Open the Wallet tab.
2. Tap (or click) Receive.
3. The Receive MINIMA window shows your full Minima address and a QR.
4. Tap (or click) the address to copy the complete string, or let the sender scan the QR.

Anyone can send Minima or MxUSD to this address.

How to send to an address (Android)

1. Open the Wallet tab and tap Send.
2. Enter the address in the field (it starts with Mx or 0x), or tap the scan button to scan it.
3. Choose Minima or MxUSD.
4. Enter the amount.
5. Tap Sign & send. You see "Selecting coins…", "Signing on this device…", "Publishing via …", then "Sent — mining into a block".

How to send to an address (Desktop)

1. Open the Wallet tab and click Send.
2. Paste the address in Mx… address.
3. Choose Minima or MxUSD.
4. Enter the amount.
5. Click Sign & send. You see "Selecting coins…", then "Publishing via …".

"Mining into a block" is normal. The payment confirms when it is in a block.

How to look at your payment history

1. Open the Wallet tab and tap (or click) History.
2. Tap All, Sent or Received to filter the list.
3. Tap a payment. You see its Direction, Amount, Token, When, the full To or From address, and the full Transaction ID.

15.4 Signature uses: read this before you import a phrase

Minima wallets sign with one-time keys. Each key can sign a limited number of times. Parlons counts uses so it never reuses one. Reusing a one-time signing key can expose it and lose money.

• The counter only goes up.
• Signing reserves one use, even if the payment does not complete.
• A words-only restore cannot know the old count. An encrypted backup (section 20) carries it.

How to raise the signature counter (Android)

Do this only if you know this seed has signed more times elsewhere.

1. Open the Wallet tab, on Balance.
2. Long-press the Key uses card (it says Signatures used and Long-press to adjust).
3. In Set signatures used, enter a number at least as high as the uses this seed has had anywhere.
4. Tap Set. You see "Set to …".

You cannot lower it. A smaller number shows "Ignored — can only raise above …". Tap Cancel to read Why this matters instead.

On Desktop, click the ? next to Signatures used (About signature uses) for the same explanation. The Desktop wallet has no control to raise the counter.

15.5 Wallet settings (Android)

Open the Wallet tab, scroll to the bottom, and tap Wallet settings. The sheet says which seed the wallet uses now.

How to use your own wallet node (Android)

By default the wallet reads the chain through the Parlons fleet of Minima nodes, with automatic failover. You can point it at your own Parlons Node instead. Your seed never leaves the phone.

1. In Wallet settings, tap Wallet node.
2. Enter your node's endpoint in the first field (it looks like https://your-node…/cmd), and its access token in the second.
3. Tap Save node. You see "Wallet node saved".

To undo it, open Wallet node again and tap Reset to the Parlons fleet. See the Parlons Node manual for the endpoint and token.

How to import a different wallet phrase (Android)

This replaces the wallet's seed with another 12- or 24-word phrase. The address and funds change. Your chat identity does not change. Only import a phrase whose key has not signed on another wallet or node.

1. In Wallet settings, tap Import a phrase.
2. In Import a wallet seed, read the warning.
3. Type the phrase in 12 / 24-word seed phrase.
4. Tap Import. You see "Importing wallet seed…".

How to go back to your Parlons seed (Android)

1. In Wallet settings, tap Use Parlons seed.
2. A window asks Use the Parlons seed?. Tap Use Parlons seed.
3. You see "Back to the Parlons seed…".

The imported wallet is not deleted. Import its phrase again to return to it.

15.6 Payment problems

16Languages

Parlons speaks English, Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Russian (Русский) and Ukrainian (Українська). Every screen is translated, on Android, Desktop, Parlons Cloud and iPhone.

Change the language

The first launch on Android asks you to choose. After that, use these steps.

How to change the language (Android)

1. Open Settings (three dots, then Settings).
2. The first card says "Choose the language for this device." Tap the button English · 简体中文 · Русский · Українська.
3. Tap your language. The app switches without restarting.

On the welcome screen, before you have an identity, tap Change language instead.

How to change the language (Desktop)

1. Open Settings (the three dots button).
2. Under Language, click Change language.
3. Click your language.

You can also choose Change language from the tray or menu-bar icon.

The language is a setting on this device only. Your contacts see your messages exactly as you typed them.

17Notifications

Android

Allow notifications when Parlons asks. On Android 13 and newer there are no chat notifications without this permission.

How to turn notifications back on (Android)

If you said no the first time:

1. Open the Android Settings app.
2. Go to Apps, then Parlons!, then Notifications. (The exact names vary a little by phone maker.)
3. Turn notifications on.

Parlons uses separate notification channels, which you can adjust on the same Android screen:

How to turn the message sound on or off (Android)

1. Open Settings (three dots, then Settings).
2. Under Privacy, find Message sound.
3. Turn the switch on for "Pssst! when a message arrives". Turn it off for "Silent - notifications still appear and vibrate".

How to make notifications arrive on time (Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Node & power, look at Battery exemption.
3. If it says not set, tap Fix battery settings.
4. In the Android window that opens, allow Parlons to run in the background. The row now says granted.
5. Open the Network tab and check that at least one host is connected.

Desktop

Desktop shows a notification for a new message while the app runs.

How to turn the message sound on or off (Desktop)

1. Open Settings (the three dots button).
2. Under Privacy, find Message sound.
3. Turn it on for "Pssst! when a message arrives", or off for Silent.

18Settings reference

18.1 Android settings

Open Settings: tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings.

How to set your name (Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Your name, type the name your contacts should see. Up to 32 characters.
3. Tap Set. You see "Name set to {name}". Your contacts are told.

How to copy your public key (Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Your name, tap the maxima publickey field. The full key is copied. You see "maxima publickey copied".

How to turn on App lock (Android)

Your phone must have a screen lock (PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint) first. Otherwise the row says "Set a screen lock on this device to use this".

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Privacy, turn on App lock.
3. Android asks you to confirm it is you (Turn on app lock, "Confirm it's you"). Use your fingerprint or device PIN.
4. You see "App lock on". From now on Parlons asks for your fingerprint or PIN when you open it.

To turn it off, turn off the same switch and confirm it is you. You see "App lock off".

How to hide Parlons from screen sharing (Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Privacy, turn off Allow screen sharing.
3. The row now says "Screen is hidden from mirroring/casting when App lock is on".

This only takes effect while App lock is on.

How to mark this phone as a core node (Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Node & power, turn on Run as core node.
3. Contacts now see "core" next to you instead of an ordinary phone.

How to switch to the classic engine (Android)

Leave this off unless you know you need it. Private files need the built-in engine.

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Node & power, turn on Classic engine.
3. You see "Switching engine - Parlons restarts in a moment". Parlons restarts by itself.

Turn the switch off again to go back. Contacts added on the classic engine are carried across.

How to approve or revoke another app (Android)

Another app on the phone may ask to use your Parlons identity as its transport. It shows under Apps using Maxima with the word pending.

1. Open Settings and scroll to Apps using Maxima.
2. Tap the app that says "{app} wants access".
3. A window asks "Let {app} use Parlons?". Tap Approve, or Deny.

To take access away later:

1. Tap the app that says "Approved — tap to revoke".
2. A window asks "Revoke {app}?". Tap Revoke.

Tap the ? next to Apps using Maxima for a plain explanation.

18.2 Desktop settings

Click the three dots button at the top right. It opens Settings.

How to set your name (Desktop)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Your name, type in Display name.
3. Click Set. Your contacts are told.

Your full maxima publickey shows just below. Click it to copy it.

How to connect minimaDocs (Desktop)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Connected apps, click Connect minimaDocs.
3. A window titled Connect minimaDocs · {name} shows a Connection link.
4. Copy the link and paste it into minimaDocs, in People. The link expires in two minutes and works once.

How to disconnect minimaDocs (Desktop)

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Connected apps, click Revoke minimaDocs.
3. Confirm "Disconnect every minimaDocs workspace from this Parlons account?". Document access is unchanged.

How to link a minimaCore Desktop node for KeetChat (Desktop)

You need minimaCore Desktop 0.18.4 or newer running on this same computer.

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Node, find Node link (KeetChat).
3. Enter the node's RPC URL, and its RPC password (if set).
4. Click Save & connect.
5. The status changes to "Linked — KeetChat contacts available". Click Clear to remove the link.

19The Network tab: relays and helping the network

You do not need to touch this tab. It is here so you can see what is happening and fix it when needed.

19.1 Connection (Android)

The top card shows Reachable, Starting or Offline, and Hosts connected: the relays carrying your traffic right now. "Independent routes to you. More is safer."

Other counters:

Tap any counter for a short explanation.

How to reconnect quickly (Android and Desktop)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Tap (or click) Auto-connect in the top card. It says Working… while it runs.
3. The app tries the relays it knows, then tries to make you directly reachable. A note tells you how many relays you are connected through.

19.2 Relays (hosts)

Parlons ships with a built-in list of relays and also learns relays from the network.

Any public Maxima node works as a relay, including a classic Minima node with Maxima turned on.

How to add a relay you trust (Android)

1. Open the Network tab and find Hosts · they relay your traffic.
2. Type host:port in the add relay host:port field, or paste the text of a relay QR.
3. Tap Add & connect.
4. A window asks Add and connect?. Tap Connect. The transport restarts. Your chats and wallet are unaffected.
5. After a few seconds a window says Connected (or Reconnecting if the relay has not accepted you yet). Tap OK.

To scan a relay's QR instead: tap Manage, then Scan a relay QR, and point the camera at it.

How to manage your relays (Android)

1. Open the Network tab. Under Hosts · they relay your traffic, tap Manage.
2. The Manage hosts sheet lists Configured hosts. Each shows "built-in" or "yours", and Connected or Idle.
3. Next to a relay, tap:
   • Connect to connect to an idle relay now.
   • QR to share it (see below).
   • Remove to drop it.
4. Tap Reset to defaults at the bottom to bring the shipped list back.

You must keep at least one relay. If you try to remove the last one you see "Keep at least one relay - add your own before dropping this one".

How to turn the built-in relays off or on (Android)

1. Open the Network tab and tap Manage.
2. Turn off Use built-in relays. Now only relays you added or that this phone remembers are used.
3. Turn it on again to use the shipped list plus yours.

If you have no relay of your own you see "Add a relay of your own first - the phone needs somewhere to start".

How to share a relay (Android)

1. Open the Network tab and tap Manage.
2. Tap QR next to the relay.
3. The Share relay sheet shows a QR. Anyone who scans it adds that relay to their relays. The full text is under it in Share text; tap to copy it.

How to add and manage relays (Desktop)

1. Open the Network tab. Find Hosts · they relay your traffic.
2. To add one, type host:port (or paste a relay QR text) in add relay host:port and click Add & connect.
3. Each relay in the list shows "built-in", "yours" or "learned". Next to it, click QR to share it, Connect to connect now, or Remove to drop it.
4. Use the switch for built-in relays. It reads "Built-in relays: on (the list shipped with the app, plus yours)" or "Built-in relays: off (only relays you added or this machine remembers)".
5. Click Reset to defaults to bring the shipped list back.

19.3 Help the network (Android)

Parlons only works if enough people carry traffic. On the Network tab, the Help the network switch is on by default. It does the most the phone safely can, in three steps you can watch:

None of this costs you messages. If your router will not open a port, you stay reachable through relays as always. The app tells you why a step is not running, for example "Relay needs Wi-Fi", "Plug in to relay for others" or "Charge above 60% to relay".

How to turn Help the network on or off (Android)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Under Help the network, turn the Help the network switch on or off.
3. With it on, watch the three steps below the switch: Contributing, Directly reachable and Relay ⚡. If a step is not running, a note under them says why and what to do, for example Open Wi-Fi settings.

How to let heavy duties run on mobile data (Android)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Under Help the network, turn off Wi-Fi only. The line changes to "Heavy duties run on any network".
3. Turn it on again to keep heavy duties to Wi-Fi ("Heavy duties pause on mobile data").

How to see what to set on your router (Android)

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Find the card This phone on your network · what to forward. It shows This phone (LAN), Your router, Your public address, and, when they apply, Router rule for direct reach and Router rule for the relay. Tap any of them to copy it.
3. Tap Open the router's admin page to open your router in the browser.

How to set up a manual port-forward (Android)

Use this if your router does not open a port by itself.

1. Open the Network tab and find Direct reachability · a public address when possible.
2. Tap Set up manual port-forward. The Manual port-forward sheet opens.
3. Under Forward to this phone you see the local address and port. By default the port is 9536. You can change it in Port to forward. Port 9535 is reserved for relay mode.
4. On your router, add a rule that forwards that TCP port to that local address.
5. Back in the sheet, check Your public IP (found automatically). Correct it if it is wrong.
6. Tap Enable & verify. You see "Verifying …". If it works you see "You're directly reachable", and the button on the Network tab reads Manual forward · on.

To stop, open the sheet again and tap Turn manual off.

If it still fails, your internet provider probably shares one public address across many homes (carrier-grade NAT). No forward can fix that. You stay connected through relays.

19.4 Help the network (Desktop)

Nothing listens on your computer until you turn one of these on. On Windows, the firewall asks once; allow it.

How to make your computer directly reachable (Desktop)

1. Open the Network tab and find Direct reachability · a public address when possible.
2. Click Check / make me reachable. Parlons asks your router for a public port and proves it from outside before advertising it.
3. If it works, your Public address shows. The button now reads Re-check.
4. If the router refuses, set up a manual port-forward (next).

How to set up a manual port-forward (Desktop)

1. On the Network tab, click Set up manual port-forward.
2. Under Forward to this computer you see the local address and port. Change the port in Port to forward if you need to. Port 9535 is reserved for relay mode.
3. On your router, add a rule that forwards that TCP port to that local address.
4. Check Your public IP (found automatically), or type it.
5. Click Enable & verify. You see "Enabled — verifying … from outside…". The button then reads Manual port-forward · on.

To stop, open it again and click Turn manual off.

How to run your computer as a relay (Desktop)

1. Open the Network tab and find Help the network.
2. Turn on Run as a relay. It carries other people's sealed traffic on port 9535 and grows the network.
3. The card shows "You're carrying other people's traffic on port 9535", with Clients attached and Messages relayed.

Turn the switch off to stop.

19.5 Event log

The bottom of the Network tab has an Event log: everything the transport did, newest first. When something does not work, this tells you why. It never contains your messages or your words.

How to read or clear the event log

1. Open the Network tab and scroll to the bottom.
2. Read the Event log. The newest line is at the top.
3. Tap (or click) Clear next to the title to empty it.

20Backups and moving to a new device

20.1 What each backup carries

The Android backup file does not contain your chat history. Restoring it on a new phone gives you your identity, name and contacts. Chats start empty.

20.2 Make an encrypted backup (Android)

1. Open Settings (three dots, then Settings).
2. Under Keys & security, tap Back up identity…
3. In Back up identity, type a password of at least 6 characters in Password, and again in Repeat password. It is not recoverable if you lose it.
4. Tap OK.
5. Choose where to save the file. The suggested name is parlons-backup.pbk.
6. You see "Backup saved".
7. Keep the file somewhere safe, for example on a computer or a USB stick you control.

20.3 See your 24 words again

How to show your 24 words (Android)

1. Make sure nobody is looking.
2. Open Settings. Under Keys & security, tap Show seed phrase.
3. A window asks Show seed phrase? and warns you. Tap Reveal.
4. The window Write these down, offline shows the words. Screenshots are blocked.
5. Tap Close when done. Avoid Copy if you can; it clears the clipboard after 60 seconds.

How to show your 24 words (Desktop)

1. Make sure nobody is looking.
2. Open Settings. Under Keys & security, click Show seed phrase.
3. Confirm Show seed phrase?.
4. The window Your seed phrase shows the words. Copy (auto-clears in 60s) is offered; writing them down is safer.

Or open the seed file (see section 5.2).

20.4 Move to a new Android phone

One identity must run in one place at a time. Move it; do not copy it.

1. On the old phone, make an encrypted backup (20.2) and copy the .pbk file somewhere you can reach from the new phone.
2. If the old phone held funds, consider moving them first.
3. Stop using the old phone for Parlons. Uninstall it, or at least close it and do not open it again.
4. On the new phone, install Parlons (section 4.1).
5. On the welcome screen, tap Restore from seed phrase and enter your 24 words.
6. Open Settings. Under Keys & security, tap Restore from backup…
7. Pick the .pbk file.
8. In Restore from backup, enter the backup password in Password and tap OK.
9. A window asks Restore this backup? It replaces the identity, contacts and chats on this phone with the ones in the backup. Tap Restore.
10. You see "Backup restored — reconnecting".

If you have no backup file, stop after step 5. That restores your identity. Your contacts can still reach you, because your address is the same. You will need to re-add them to see them in your list.

If a backup says "This backup was made by a newer Parlons — update the app first.", install the newest app and try again.

20.5 Restore a seed phrase over an existing identity (Android)

This replaces the identity on this phone. Contacts and chats stored here are cleared, and the transport restarts.

1. Open Settings. Under Keys & security, tap Restore a seed phrase.
2. Read the warning in the Restore a seed phrase window.
3. Type or paste the phrase in Enter your seed phrase.
4. For a nonstandard Minima phrase, tick Custom phrase (Minima anyphrase) and type it exactly.
5. Tap Restore.
6. A window Restored says "Your identity is restored." Tap OK.
7. You see "Identity restored — reconnecting".

20.6 Move Parlons Desktop to a new computer

1. Make sure you have your 24 words.
2. Quit Parlons Desktop on the old computer, for good (tray icon, Quit).
3. Install it on the new computer. It creates a new identity on first launch.
4. Open Settings. Under Keys & security, click Restore a seed phrase.
5. Paste your 24 words and confirm.
6. You see "Identity restored. Maxima will now close — reopen it to use the restored identity." The app closes.
7. Open it again. It now uses your identity.

Chats and contacts from the old computer do not move this way. You can also copy the whole .maxima data folder from the old computer to the new one before first launch; this is not a documented procedure, so keep your 24 words safe either way.

20.7 Lost your device

• Lost phone, Android app: restore your words on a new phone. Anyone holding the old phone can read chats stored on it, so move any funds first.
• Lost phone paired to a Parlons account: revoke that phone from another paired device (how to revoke a device). The account and its history are untouched.
• Lost the words and every device: the identity is gone. There is no reset, because there is nobody who could do it.

21One account on every device: Parlons Cloud, your own account, hosted accounts

This is a short overview. The Parlons Cloud manual covers the phone app in depth. The Parlons Node manual covers running an account server.

What a Parlons account is

A Parlons account is a small always-on program. It keeps your identity online, holds your contacts and chat history, receives messages while your phone is off, and lets every device you pair see the same conversations. It needs a machine that stays on with outbound internet: a Raspberry Pi, a home computer, or a small server. It needs no port forwarding.

You can get one three ways:

• Run your own. One install command on a Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi or Windows machine. It prints your address and a pairing invite.
• Get a hosted account. Someone who runs a host makes an account for you and gives you an invite.
• Parlons Node, minimaCore Desktop or minimaDesk also include an account.

Pair a phone

The invite is a QR code, or a line of text starting MAX#, that carries the account's address and a one-time pairing code.

How to install Parlons Cloud (Android)

1. On the phone, open the releases page: https://github.com/eurobuddha/maxima/releases
2. Find the release tagged portal-v0.2.90.
3. Tap the file parlons-cloud-portal-0.2.90-release.apk to download it.
4. Allow installs from your browser if Android asks, then tap Install and Open.

How to pair a phone

1. Open Parlons Cloud (Android) or the iPhone app.
2. On the first screen, Run Parlons in the cloud, tap Scan pairing QR and scan the invite. Or paste it into Account address or pairing invite. Both the address and the code fill in.
3. Tap Connect & pair. You see "Attaching to the network…", then "Account found — pairing…".
4. Allow notifications.
5. On Android, open Settings, and under This device tap Keep running in the background if offered.

If you have no code, leave Pairing code empty and tap Connect & pair. The app says "Pairing requested. Approve it from an already-paired device". Approve it on a device that is already paired (next steps).

How to approve a device waiting to pair

1. On a phone that is already paired, open the Node tab.
2. Scroll to Pending approval (N). Each entry reads A device wants to pair, with its key.
3. Check the key matches the one the new device shows.
4. Tap Approve only if it matches.

How to pair another device from a paired phone

1. On a paired phone, open the Node tab.
2. Tap Pair my other device.
3. If the app asks Invite a device, enter the account's admin password and tap Continue.
4. The app shows New pairing code minted. Tap Copy invite, or QR to show it as a QR code.
5. On the new device, follow How to pair a phone.

The Parlons Cloud manual explains the admin password.

How to revoke a lost device

1. On a phone that is still paired, open the Node tab.
2. Scroll to Paired devices (N) and find the lost device.
3. Tap Revoke.
4. Read Revoke this device? and tap Revoke.

How to unpair this phone

1. In Parlons Cloud, tap More, then Unpair this device.
2. Read Unpair this device? and tap Unpair. The app returns to the first screen.
3. On another paired device, revoke this phone's entry (How to revoke a lost device).

Your account and identity stay on the account machine.

What Parlons Cloud shows

• Chats and Contacts, like the Android app. Your address is shown as My Parlons Cloud address. It stays the same on every device.
• Node: your account's uptime, relays, paired devices (Revoke a lost one), devices waiting for approval, and Pair my other device for a new pairing code.
• Settings: name, read receipts, app lock, notifications, the relays the phone starts from, Show seed phrase, Back up account… (an encrypted .pbk of the whole account, including chat history), and Import identity or backup….

For every Parlons Cloud screen step by step, see Pair the app to your account and the rest of the Parlons Cloud manual.

Hosted accounts: what the host can and cannot do

• The host cannot read your messages in transit.
• The host can read what is stored on their machine, including your chat history. Choose a host you trust the way you would trust someone holding your mailbox.
• You can leave at any time. Back up the account and restore it on your own machine. Your address stays the same.

Hosted guest accounts have chat, calls and files only: no wallet, terminal or host controls.

How to back up a Parlons account

1. In Parlons Cloud, tap More, then Settings.
2. Under Keys & backup, tap Back up account….
3. Type a passphrase of at least 6 characters, twice. It is not recoverable if you lose it.
4. Tap Create backup, then choose where to save the .pbk file.

To move the account to your own machine, follow How to restore an account on your own machine.

22Security and privacy

Your 24 words

• They are your identity and a Minima wallet. Anyone who reads them can be you and spend your funds.
• Write them on paper when they are shown. Keep the paper offline.
• Never photograph them, email them, or type them into another app or website.
• Parlons never asks for them except when you restore. Nobody from Parlons will ever ask for them.
• One identity must run in one place at a time. Restoring the same words on a second device while the first still runs confuses your contacts and can reuse wallet keys that must never be reused.

What Parlons protects

• Message content. Sealed end to end, signed by the sender. Relays see only a sealed blob and a routing key.
• Groups. Each message is sealed separately to each member.
• Forgery. A message is only accepted if its signature matches the sender.
• Replays. Duplicate and stale messages are rejected.
• Screens with your words. Screenshots are blocked on the seed, restore and backup screens.

What Parlons does not protect against

• Someone holding your unlocked device. Chats stored on it are readable there. Use the device lock, and App lock on Android.
• Someone holding your 24 words. They are you.
• A host reading what its machine stores, for a hosted account.
• Traffic analysis by a relay. A relay knows which routing keys talk to it, not what they say. Using several relays, which Parlons does, limits what any one sees.
• Direct connections reveal IP addresses. Calls, private files and direct reachability connect devices directly, so the other side can see your internet address.
• A contact you added. Only add people you mean to.

Privacy

The authors collect nothing. There is no analytics, no crash reporting service, no advertising identifier, no tracking, no third-party SDK, and no account to sign up for.

• The Android app and Parlons Desktop keep your identity, contacts and chats on the device.
• Parlons Cloud on a phone keeps only a device key and a cache. The account holds the rest.
• iPhone wake path. iOS cannot keep a background connection. When the iPhone app is closed, your account sends a content-free wake ("message" or "call", no sender, no recipient, no text) through a small relay run by the app's publisher to Apple's push service. You can turn it off in the iPhone app's Settings, Notifications.

23Troubleshooting

Common fixes, step by step

How to fix messages that arrive late (Android)

1. Open Settings (three dots, then Settings).
2. Under Node & power, check Battery exemption. If it says not set, tap Fix battery settings and allow Parlons to run without restrictions.
3. Make sure notifications are allowed (section 17).
4. Open the Network tab. Check Hosts connected is 1 or more.
5. If it is 0, tap Auto-connect.

How to get back online

1. Open the Network tab.
2. Tap (or click) Auto-connect and wait for it to finish.
3. If you are still offline, check your phone or computer has internet.
4. On Android, tap Manage and make sure Use built-in relays is on. On Desktop, check the built-in relays switch reads "Built-in relays: on".
5. If you know a relay that works, add it (section 19.2).
6. Read the Event log at the bottom of the tab for the reason.

How to fix a missing camera or microphone (Android)

1. Open the Android Settings app.
2. Go to Apps, then Parlons!, then Permissions. (The names vary a little by phone maker.)
3. Allow Camera and Microphone.
4. Go back to Parlons and try again.

Messages and contacts

Media and files

Calls

Payments

Identity and backups

Installing

Where the logs are

Reporting a problem

1. Note your platform and app version. Open Settings and scroll to About.
2. Write down what you expected, and what happened.
3. Open the Network tab and copy the relevant Event log lines.
4. Open the project's issue tracker: https://github.com/eurobuddha/maxima/issues
5. Open a new issue and paste all of the above.

Logs never contain your messages or your words. Check before pasting anyway, and never paste your seed phrase anywhere.

24Glossary