Getting Started
A Beginner's Guide to Vector Privacy
Privacy is a basic human right.
About
Vector Privacy encompasses the ideals of freedom through free and open-source technology, using a "Privacy by Principle" approach. This means that privacy is not a feature or add-on, but the core foundation that Vector is built upon, which is granted and accessible to everyone.
Vector Messenger is a free, open-source, decentralized, and censorship-resistant chat communication platform that doesn't require any form of KYC, prevents metadata tracking, and will never allow for any form of advertisements to depreciate the user experience. The application is optimally designed to be lightweight, energy efficient, and requires minimum computing resources allowing for Vector Messenger to be run on virtually any device (<200MB RAM).
Vector utilizes the Nostr Protocol, offering no-compromise encryption with zero metadata leakage and plausible deniability for all content, including texts, media, voice notes, and files, adhering to the NIP-17 standard. The resilience is ensured by community-run Nostr relays, eliminating downtime, and its fully open-source codebase. This includes infrastructure to protocol specifications and avoids proprietary lock-in, making it unkillable and transparent.
Additionally, Vector leverages local, private, device-powered AI to provide practical and optional features such as voice message transcription, language translation, and meme gif search via a decentralized relay-based index. Learn more about Viktor, here.
Download
Vector Messenger is currently supported on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. In the future, support will be available for iOS. There are two main ways to download and get started, but firstly never trust links from unverified sources and only download from official Vector sources.
Official Website
You can visit the official website, vectorapp.io, which will automatically detect your operating system and suggest the proper build and version for your device. Reference the image above and you will notice it says "Download for Windows" as that device that visited the website was running Windows 11. Under the download button there is a dropdown menu, if you click the "Show all downloads" text.
Official GitHub
Vector Privacy is entirely open-source and the source code is always available on GitHub for anyone to verify. For those that aren't familiar, GitHub can be seen similarly as an open, public code library that shows all of the changes to the codebase. This includes when code was added, removed, altered, by who, and at what time. It provides complete transparency into how Vector Messenger works and operates.
Download on GitHub
Visit Vector Privacy (verify the correct link)
Click on Vector under Pinned Repositories
Click Releases on the right side
Click the version with the "Latest" tag (Latest Release)
Select the version for your operating system
Windows users will download
.msior.exeMac users will download
.dmgLinux users will download
tar.gzAndroid users will download
.apk
Install
Vector Messenger is still in Beta and may contain errors, inaccuracies, and defects.
After downloading Vector Messenger, you can now proceed to install the app on your device. Please note there may be some difficulties or minor hiccups you run into, due to Vector being a new application that is currently in beta. If you have anti-virus software running while you install Vector, you may get a prompt informing you that your device detected new software and it may need to run a virus scan. It is recommended to let it fully finish scanning to prove it is safe and prevent unnecessary, additional errors, bugs, or limitations.
Each operating system has its own security protocols and methods to protect your device from unwanted or dangerous software. For the most part, they are letting you know that apps have come from "unidentified developers" if you downloaded them on the web and not an approved app from the app store. Given their security protocol, the app could be considered unsafe because it has not been verified for a safety seal of approval. To prevent this, developers need to apply for an official developer license and then add certificates to the code base. *Vector developers are currently working on obtaining licenses and a developer ID.
Additionally, if you have any security concerns about downloading Vector, you may use any anti-virus software to scan it or upload the file you downloaded to VirusTotal for a complete scan.
Windows
When downloading new software with Windows from the web that isn't through the Microsoft Store or has a Microsoft license, you will get a popup box that says "Windows protected your PC" and you will either have an option to "Run anyway" or you will have to click "More info" and then "Run anyway" to install Vector on your device.
If you run into this issue, you can resolve and bypass it by following these steps:
Click "Run anyway"
Click "More info", then click "Run anyway"
MacOS
MacOS uses a security feature called Gatekeeper to protect your Mac from malware and other harmful software. It blocks or warns about "untrusted" apps (those not from the Mac App Store or not properly signed and notarized by Apple) and often requires manual approval in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
If you run into this issue, you can resolve and bypass it by following these steps:
Open System Settings (Apple menu, top-left corner)
Click Privacy & Security
Scroll Down & Click Open Anyway for the Vector app
If another warning prompt occurs, click "Open"
Create Account
No KYC Required. One-Click Setup.
Vector Messenger focuses on a user-centric design, both in terms of privacy and security, as well as the simplicity. Upon opening Vector Messenger for the first time, you will need to click either "Create Account" or "Login". If you have a Vector account or a Nostr account, you can use the login button. Otherwise, enjoy the One-Click Signup feature and make your new account.
Account Management
You can create as many accounts as you would like, but it is important to save your seed phrase and/or your private key, otherwise you will lose access to your Vector account and data. To access your account backup (seed phrase and private key), visit the Settings and scroll to the bottom to click "Export", next to Export Account.
Create Pin Code
Once you've created your account, you will be prompted to put in a 6 digit pin code twice to confirm that you entered the same code correctly. This is a security layer added to help protect your Vector account and privacy from unwanted access. If you use a 6 digit pin code for your device, it is recommended to create a separate and unique code specifically for Vector. Ensure good security practices by safely storing your 6 digit pin code for Vector somewhere off your device, offline, and somewhere safe.
After logging out of Vector (Settings > Logout), if you log back in with your seed phrase or password, you will be prompted to enter a new pin code. In the current version v0.2.3, the best way to change your pin code is to logout and then log back in.
Message
Vector Messenger utilizes end-to-end encryption for all of its peer-to-peer messages, as well as for Group Chats. End-to-end encryption means that only the sender and receiver are able to read the messages and their contents (text, image, video, files, etc.). Sending private, end-to-end encrypted messages is easy. Select the Chat tab at the bottom navigation bar and at the top under your username and status, you will see "New Chat" for private, peer-to-peer chats.
Downloads
As Vector Messengers uses a peer-to-peer transfer of uncompressed (unless selected) media files, media files are stored locally on your device. They can be found under the vector folder, most likely under your Downloads folder or wherever you specified the file path.
Welcome to the future. Enjoy your censorship-resistant, private, and encrypted messenger experience with no spam, no ads, no metadata tracking... and best of all, free. If you experience any issues, be sure to report them to developers in the Vector Discord or on X.
To learn more about other Vector Messenger features, visit Vector Messenger.
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