How to use PairCipher

Everything you need, step by step.

1. How to install PairCipher on iPhone

  1. 1Open paircipher.com in Safari (or Chrome). Opened the link from Instagram or TikTok? Tap ••• at the top right → Open in browser first.
  2. 2Tap Share (the square with an arrow pointing up). In Safari it's at the bottom of the screen; in Chrome, in the address bar at the top right. Don't see it? Tap ••• first.
  3. 3In the list, tap Add to Home Screen (the square with a plus). Scroll down if you don't see it right away.
  4. 4Tap Add in the top right corner.
  5. 5Open PairCipher from your Home Screen. Do everything else inside the installed app: on iPhone it keeps its own data, separate from Safari.

2. How to install on Android

  1. 1Open paircipher.com in Chrome. Opened the link from Instagram or TikTok? Tap ⋮ at the top right → Open in browser first.
  2. 2Tap the menu ⋮ (three dots). It's at the top right, or bottom right if your address bar is at the bottom.
  3. 3Tap Install app or Add to Home screen (the phone with a down arrow).
  4. 4If asked, choose Install (not “Create shortcut”), then tap Install again.
  5. 5Open PairCipher from your Home screen. Using Samsung Internet? Tap ≡ → Add page to → Home screen.

3. How to create your pair

  1. 1Tap Get PairCipher and complete the one-time payment.
  2. 2Give your pair a nickname and create your PairCipher password. Save your recovery code on paper.
  3. 3Together? Choose “We're together” and show your partner the QR code.
  4. 4Apart? Choose “We're apart”, send the invite in any messenger, then paste your partner's reply.

4. How your partner joins

  1. 1Your partner installs PairCipher and taps I have an invite. They don't pay.
  2. 2Together: tap Scan QR code and point the camera at your QR code.
  3. 3Apart: tap Paste invite, paste your whole message, then send you the reply.
  4. 4Optional: call each other and check you both see the same 4 safety emoji.

5. How to send a secret message

  1. 1Open your pair and stay on the Encrypt tab.
  2. 2Write your message and tap Encrypt.
  3. 3Tap Copy (or Share) and paste it into any messenger.

6. How to read a message

  1. 1In your messenger, press and hold the cipher and copy it.
  2. 2Open PairCipher, choose your pair and the Decrypt tab.
  3. 3Tap Paste & decrypt. The message appears on your screen only.

7. Emoji mode

  1. 1On the Encrypt tab, switch from Code to Emoji before tapping Encrypt.
  2. 2The cipher becomes a row of emoji that looks like a friendly chat.
  3. 3Decrypt works the same way: PairCipher recognizes emoji automatically.

8. Lost phone or forgot password

  1. 1Forgot your password but saved the recovery code? On the password screen tap Forgot password? and enter the code. Your messages stay readable.
  2. 2No recovery code, or a new phone? Open the link from your purchase email (on iPhone: copy it, then in the app tap I already paid and paste it).
  3. 3Set up your pair again and have your partner join again. New messages work right away.
  4. 4Messages made with the old key can't be read anymore. Not by you, and not by us. Up to 3 resets per month.

Still stuck? Write to hello@paircipher.com. Or go to the home page.

How to use PairCipher - PairCipher