Help centre
Getting started
How do I sign up?
Install GistUp, enter your phone number and type the 6-digit code we send by SMS. Then choose your name and a username, and confirm you are 18 or over.
What can my username be?
3 to 20 characters: lower-case letters, numbers, dots and underscores, starting with a letter. Names that could pass as GistUp or Macvertech staff, banks or government bodies are reserved.
I did not get the SMS code.
Check the number and your signal, wait a minute and ask for a new code. Never give this code to anyone.
How do I start a chat?
Tap New chat and type the person's username. If they allow it, you can also type their phone number.
Chats and groups
What do the ticks mean?
One tick: sent to GistUp. Two grey ticks: delivered to their phone. Two coloured ticks: read.
Can I delete a message I sent?
Press and hold it. Delete for me removes it from your phone. Delete for everyone works for one hour after sending.
How do I make a group?
Tap New group, give it a name and add people by username. You become the group's admin.
How do I leave a group?
Open the group, tap ⓘ, then Leave group. The others see that you left.
Privacy and safety
Who can find me?
Anyone who knows your username. By phone number only if you switch it on in Settings, under Who can find me.
What is a message request?
A first message from someone you have not chatted with. Accept it to chat, or delete, block or report it. They are not told you read it.
What does "security code changed" mean?
The other person reinstalled GistUp or moved to a new phone. Your chat carries on, encrypted with their new keys.
How do I report someone?
Open the chat, tap ⓘ, then Report. You can include the last 5 messages so our safety team can review them. See Safety tips.
Backup and new phones
How do I back up my chats?
Go to Settings, Chat backup, Turn on backup. Save the 64-digit key on paper or in a password manager, then tap Back up now. After that it backs up once a day on Wi-Fi.
How do I move to a new phone?
Install GistUp on the new phone, sign in with the same number, tap Restore chats from backup and enter your key.
I lost my backup key.
Nobody can open the backup without it, including us. If your old phone still works, open Settings, Chat backup, Show backup key.
Are photos and voice notes in the backup?
No, to keep backups small. In restored chats you can download them again for 30 days after they were sent.
Data and storage
How do I use less data?
Keep Data saver on (Settings, Data saver). Photos are sent smaller, and media downloads on mobile data only when you tap it.
My phone is running out of space.
Open the Storage tab to see what GistUp uses, set a limit, or clear downloaded media from a chat. Your messages stay.
Your account
Can I change my phone number?
Not yet in version 1.0. It is planned for a later version.
How do I delete my account?
Settings, Delete my account. See what is deleted.