Download & get started

Get the tjena!chat app, create your account, and — if you want — set up your own WhatsApp bridge at home.

tjena!chat

The messenger. Install it on your phone, or use it in the browser.

Android (APK) Add to Obtainium Open Web App

iPhone & desktop: There is no tjena app for iPhone or desktop yet. Use the web app, or FluffyChat (sign in with the server tjena.eu). The extra tjena features, like bridges setup and WhatsApp calls, are only in the tjena app.

tjena Bridge

Your own WhatsApp bridge. Install it on a spare Android phone that stays at home — not on your everyday phone.

Android 10 or newer, 64-bit. The phone should stay on Wi-Fi and a charger.

tjena Bridge (APK) Add to Obtainium Compare the bridges

The Android apps are installed from an APK file. When you open it, Android asks you to allow installing apps from your browser or file manager once. For automatic updates, use Obtainium (below).

Automatic updates with Obtainium

Obtainium is a free app that installs apps straight from their source and keeps them up to date. With it, you get every new tjena version automatically, without downloading APK files by hand.

  1. Install Obtainium on your phone. Get Obtainium
  2. On that phone, tap "Add to Obtainium" next to the app above. Obtainium opens with the app filled in; tap Add, then Install.
  3. If the button doesn't open Obtainium, tap Add App in Obtainium and paste the address:
    • tjena!chat: https://github.com/tjena-eu/tjena_chat
    • tjena Bridge: https://github.com/tjena-eu/tjena_bridge

Check the signature: Both apps are signed with the same key. Its SHA-256 fingerprint is below; Android only installs updates signed with this key. Apps like AppVerifier can compare it for you.

A9:4B:EA:04:5D:79:00:38:94:8B:9C:57:B3:39:AE:E5:79:D9:9B:0E:0C:08:FF:44:06:DC:EB:BC:A2:1F:44:46

Get started with tjena!chat

From invite key to first message in a few minutes.

1

Get an invite key

tjena!chat is in closed beta. Ask us for a registration key by email or on the contact page.

2

Create your account

On the sign-up page, choose a username and password and enter your email and the key. Then click the link in the email we send you and press Continue.

3

Install and sign in

Install tjena!chat (or open the web app) and tap Sign in. The server tjena.eu is already set — enter your username and password.

4

Save your recovery key

The app offers to set up chat backup. Keep the recovery key somewhere safe: you need it to read old encrypted messages on a new device.

Create account Request an invite key

Set up your own WhatsApp bridge

About 10 minutes. You need your tjena account, the tjena app on your everyday phone, and a spare Android phone for the bridge.

1

Install tjena Bridge

Install the tjena Bridge app on the spare phone. Allow notifications and the camera when asked.

2

Start setup in tjena

In the tjena app on your everyday phone: Settings → Messaging Bridges → Your own bridge → Set up. Confirm with your password. tjena shows a QR code.

3

Pair the bridge phone

In tjena Bridge, tap Sign in with tjena (scan QR) and scan the code. The bridge gets its own spot on the server and starts.

4

Allow it to run

In tjena Bridge on the Status tab, tap Fix next to battery optimisation, so Android doesn't stop the bridge.

5

Link WhatsApp

tjena Bridge → WhatsApp tab → enter your number → Get pairing code. In WhatsApp: Settings → Linked devices → Link a device → Link with phone number instead, and enter the code.

6

Switch to your bridge

Back in tjena, the bridge shows Online. Tap Enable double puppeting (recommended), then choose My own bridge. tjena logs WhatsApp out of the server bridge first, so no chat appears twice.

Afterwards

  • WhatsApp calls: in tjena Bridge → WhatsApp tab → under your account, "Calls from tjena" → Set up.
  • More WhatsApp accounts: WhatsApp tab → Add another WhatsApp account.
  • Old messages: Settings → Chats & history in tjena Bridge (choose before linking WhatsApp).
  • Backup: the Backup tab saves the bridge with a passphrase, so you can move it to a new phone.
  • Security: compare the keys under Security in both apps and verify the bridge.

WhatsApp doesn't officially allow third-party clients. Both bridges connect as a "linked device", and WhatsApp may restrict or ban accounts that use unofficial clients. Use them at your own risk.

Service status

  • Checking…