Kryfo: Private Messenger
Kryfo is a private messenger by GnosiWorks that sends end-to-end encrypted messages over Tor.
Download Kryfo · v0.5.3Kryfo is a free messenger that needs no phone number, email, or account and routes all communication through an embedded Tor client by default. Kryfo suits users who want private chats without a metadata trail, offering groups, encrypted backups, timed messages, and a decoy PIN.
- Version
- 0.5.3
- Size
- 70 MB
- Requires Android
- 7.0
- Updated
- Oct 25, 2026
- Category
- Communication
- Developer
- GnosiWorks
- Package
- app.kryfo
- Free
- ✓
App screenshots
Kryfo is a private messaging app by GnosiWorks that lets you exchange messages without a phone number, email, or account. Instead of traditional registration, you are represented by a key pair generated on your device, so your identity is cryptographic rather than personal. The app solves the problem of metadata exposure and identity linkage in messaging by routing all traffic through an embedded Tor client by default and using the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption. Messages travel through relays that cannot read their contents, and on the default route, relays never learn your IP address or who you are. The app also avoids address book uploads entirely. For users in regions where Tor is blocked, Kryfo automatically finds a way around the block. Delivery is handled via Nostr relays, so messages reach a phone that has been offline. The app includes a full set of messaging features, including groups, media sharing, voice messages, replies, reactions, pins, and polls, alongside privacy controls such as timed messages, an encrypted local database, encrypted backups, app lock with PIN or biometrics, a decoy PIN, hidden chats, and a panic wipe. It is funded by optional anonymous backers and includes no ads, analytics, or telemetry.
Key features
- No phone number or email required to sign up; your identity is a device-generated key pair
- End-to-end encryption using the Signal protocol
- All traffic routed through an embedded Tor client by default, with automatic workarounds where Tor is blocked
- Delivery through Nostr relays so messages reach a phone that was offline
- Groups with photos, files, voice messages, replies, reactions, pins, and polls
- Animated stickers that travel as a name, so no picture leaves the phone
- Timed messages that burn after a set time
- App lock with PIN or biometrics, a decoy PIN, hidden chats, and a panic wipe
How to install
- Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file (69 MB).
- When Android asks, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting.
- Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or file manager.
- Tap Install and wait for the installation to complete.
- Open Kryfo from your app drawer or home screen.
- Ensure your device runs Android 7.0 or higher.
Pros
- No phone number or email needed, so no personal identifier is collected
- All traffic goes through Tor by default, hiding your IP address from relays
- Signal protocol provides strong end-to-end encryption
- No address book upload, analytics, telemetry, or ads
- Includes privacy extras like a decoy PIN, hidden chats, and panic wipe
- Encrypted local database and backups
Cons
- No account recovery: if you lose your device or key, you lose access to your chats
- Tor routing may be slower than direct connections for some users
- Requires Android 7.0 or newer, which excludes very old devices
- In-app purchases are not mentioned, but the app relies on optional backers, which may raise questions about long-term funding
Version history
| Version | Size | Requires Android | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5.3 | 70 MB | 7.0 | Oct 25, 2026 |
| 0.5.2 | 70 MB | 7.0 | Oct 22, 2026 |
| 0.5.1 | 69 MB | 7.0 | Oct 18, 2026 |
| 0.5.0 | 57 MB | 7.0 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| 0.4.2 | 54 MB | 7.0 | Oct 6, 2026 |
Kryfo is for individuals who prioritize privacy and anonymity in their messaging, such as journalists, activists, or anyone concerned about metadata collection by mainstream apps. It suits users who are comfortable with a cryptographic identity instead of a phone number and who want a messenger that leaves no trace of who they are on the network. It's also useful for people in regions where Tor is blocked, as the app automatically finds workarounds. However, it may not be ideal for users who expect easy account recovery or who prefer speed over anonymity.
Set up a strong PIN or biometric lock, and consider using the decoy PIN to protect your real chats if someone forces you to unlock the app. Remember that since there is no account, you are responsible for backing up your key and data—use the encrypted backup feature regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How does Kryfo handle sign-up without a phone number or email?
Kryfo generates a key pair on your device instead of registering an account with a phone number or email. Your identity is defined by that key pair, and on the default route, no one—including the developers—can link your chats to a real identity unless you voluntarily claim a public handle.
What happens if Tor is blocked on my network?
Kryfo includes an embedded Tor client that routes all traffic by default. If Tor is blocked, the app automatically finds a way around the block, so you can still connect without manual configuration.
How does message delivery work when my phone is offline?
Messages are delivered through Nostr relays. This means that if your phone is offline when a message is sent, the message is stored and delivered once your device comes back online, so you don't miss chats.
What security features protect my chats and data on the device?
The local database is encrypted, and backups are encrypted as well. You can lock the app with a PIN or biometrics, use a decoy PIN that opens an empty Kryfo, hide chats behind a separate PIN, and trigger a panic wipe that removes everything, including media stored on disk.
Does Kryfo include animated stickers, and do they affect privacy?
Yes, Kryfo supports animated stickers. They travel as a name rather than as an image file, so no picture data leaves your phone when you send a sticker.
Kryfo offers a rare combination of Tor routing, Signal encryption, and no account requirement, making it a strong choice for privacy-focused messaging. It is not for everyone, but for those who value anonymity over convenience, it delivers on its promises without ads or data collection.
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Updated: Oct 26, 2026