Press Kit — theSHFT

theSHFT is a PIN-locked private messenger with end-to-end encrypted direct messages and group chats, encrypted voice and video calls, and self-destructing messages. No phone number. No email. We store the minimum metadata required for delivery — timestamps, sender and recipient identifiers, message sizes — but never message content, call media, or browsing history. See our privacy policy for the full enumeration.

Key Facts

At a Glance

Platform

iOS (App Store)

Encryption

X3DH + Double Ratchet

PQ Implementation

PQClean reference (ML-KEM-768 for 1:1 chats only; classical X25519 Sender Key for groups)

Requirements

iOS 16.0+, no phone number, no email

Pricing

Free tier + theSHFT Pro: $9.99/mo or $109.99/yr (best value)

Website

theshft.app

Features

Key Features

End-to-end encryption X3DH + Double Ratchet for direct messages (with post-quantum ML-KEM-768 hybrid). Group chats use Sender Key encryption (X25519).
Encrypted voice and video calls Voice calls free for all (up to 5 minutes). Video calls for Pro users. Pro unlocks unlimited call length. All encrypted end to end.
theSHFT Pro Unlimited call length, host voice rooms, encrypted video calls, extended timers, and larger groups. Free users can still join and listen to voice rooms.
Self-destructing messages Free: 10s or 30s. Pro: 5 seconds to 24 hours
Group chats (Free: up to 3 groups, 50 members max; Pro: unlimited groups, up to 100 members) Sender Key encryption for group messaging at scale
Voice messages with live waveform Record and send encrypted voice messages with real-time visualization
Duress PIN Silently wipes all data under coercion (Pro)
Biometric unlock (Face ID / Touch ID) Secure access with biometric authentication after PIN entry
QR code contact sharing Scan to connect instantly, no usernames to remember
Anonymous accounts with contact gating No phone number or email. Nobody reaches you without approval.
Screenshot and recording detection Detects and flags capture attempts. Content stays inside the app.
Read receipts, typing indicators, online status Full conversation awareness with animated typing dots and timestamps
Server-blind for E2E content We cannot read your direct messages, group chats, or call media, even if compelled

The Difference

What Makes theSHFT Different

Every encrypted messenger solves the same problem: encrypting message content. None of them solve exposure. If someone takes your phone and opens any encrypted messenger, they see it immediately. They see contacts, conversations, timestamps. Encryption doesn't help when someone is standing over your shoulder.

theSHFT solves exposure. PIN lock keeps everything sealed. A Duress PIN wipes it all instantly. Messages disappear on a timer. Voice and video calls are fully encrypted. Group chats use Sender Key encryption for up to 50 members. Contact gating means nobody reaches you without approval. There is nothing to find. Built for DV survivors, journalists, activists, and anyone who takes privacy seriously.