Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about project.im
What is project.im?
project.im is a free, open messaging service. It lets you send messages, join group chats, and share files using any XMPP-compatible app on your phone, desktop, or in a web browser. You are not locked into any single application.
How do I get an account?
project.im is invitation-only. Ask an existing project.im user to send you an invitation.
What is XMPP?
XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) is an open standard for real-time messaging that has been in continuous use since 1999. It works like email: your account lives on a server, and you can communicate freely with users on any other XMPP server in the world.
Because XMPP is an open standard, many different client applications support it. You pick the app that suits you; it connects to your account regardless of what app your contacts use.
What does my username look like?
Your project.im address is in the format username@project.im - the same
structure as an email address. This is called a JID (Jabber ID). You share
this address with people who want to contact you.
Can I message users on other XMPP servers?
Yes. XMPP is federated, which means servers talk directly to each other.
If a friend has an account on a different XMPP server - say
friend@jabber.org - you can add them to your contact list and message
them just as easily as a project.im user. No bridges, no workarounds.
This is the same model as email: you do not need a Gmail account to email someone who has one.
Are my messages encrypted?
All connections between your app and the project.im server are encrypted in transit using TLS.
For end-to-end encryption - where messages can only be read by you and your recipient, not by any server - you need a client that supports OMEMO (XEP-0384). OMEMO is the current standard for XMPP end-to-end encryption and is supported by most modern clients including Conversations, Gajim, Dino, and Monal.
Check your client's settings to enable OMEMO if it is not on by default.
Can I use group chats?
Yes. XMPP group chats are called MUCs (Multi-User Chat). You can create or join rooms, set topics, and invite others. Group chats can be open to anyone or restricted to invited members.
Support for group chat varies by client - most modern clients handle it well. Check our client list for options.
Which app should I use?
See the XMPP client applications page for a current list by platform. For most users the best starting points are:
- Android: Conversations
- iOS / macOS: Monal
- Linux / Windows: Gajim or Dino
- Browser: Converse.js
What technologies does this server use?
The server runs on XMPP with the following extensions enabled:
| XEP | Module | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| XEP-0065 | mod_proxy65 | File transfer proxy |
| XEP-0163 | mod_pep | Personal Eventing Protocol |
| XEP-0191 | mod_blocklist | User blocking |
| XEP-0198 | mod_smacks | Stream management |
| XEP-0237 | mod_roster | Contact list versioning |
| XEP-0280 | mod_carbons | Multi-device message sync |
| XEP-0352 | mod_csi | Client state indication |
| XEP-0363 | mod_http_upload | File sharing |
What data does project.im store about me?
The following data is stored for as long as you are a registered user:
- Account handle / username
- Hash and salt of your password
- Email address
- Last login IP address
- Timestamp of last login and logout
- Contact roster and vCard
Data retention periods:
- Accounts are kept indefinitely provided they are used within a 6-month period
- Files uploaded via mod_http_upload (XEP-0363) are retained for one hour
- Pastebin text is retained for 24 hours, then expires
- Message logs are not retained; offline messages are held in memory until delivered or the server restarts
What are the alternatives?
XMPP is not the only open messaging option. Some alternatives worth knowing:
- Matrix / Element
- An open federated protocol with a strong focus on bridging to other networks. More feature-rich than XMPP out of the box, at the cost of higher resource use.
- Signal
- A centralised, closed-network messenger with strong end-to-end encryption. Excellent security but requires a phone number and does not federate.
- Slack / WhatsApp
- Proprietary, centralised services. You can only communicate within their own networks.
If you want an XMPP account on a different server, providers.xmpp.net maintains a curated, daily-updated list of public XMPP providers with quality ratings and feature filters.
The key advantage of XMPP is that it is open, federated, and has no single controlling organisation. You can move servers, run your own, and use any client you choose.