Installing the app

First choose the app for your radio, then four steps. The permission for an unknown source is normal for apps that do not come from the Play Store.

Step 0: the right app for your radio

Meshtastic and MeshCore are two different mesh networks. Pick the app that matches the firmware on your LoRa radio.

MESHTASTIC

MeshTransfer

Your radio runs Meshtastic - you use the Meshtastic app for text messages today.

Download MeshTransfer

MESHCORE

MeshCransfer

Your radio runs MeshCore companion firmware - you use the MeshCore app for text messages today.

Download MeshCransfer

Both apps can be installed side by side, and one licence covers both. Installation is the same for either app - the steps below show MeshTransfer, MeshCransfer looks the same.

Download the file

Tap the download button for your app - MeshTransfer for Meshtastic or MeshCransfer for MeshCore. You receive the link by e-mail. The browser saves a file ending in .apk - that is the app itself.

If a warning about the file type appears, confirm it. The file comes from localino.net.

Allow the source once

When you open the file, Android asks whether this browser may install apps. Switch Allow from this source on, then go back.

Why? Android asks this for every app that does not come from the Play Store. The permission applies to the browser, not to our app, and you can withdraw it afterwards under Settings → Apps → Special access. For the second app you will not be asked again.

Install

The installation dialogue appears with the name of the app - MeshTransfer or MeshCransfer. Tap Install and wait a few seconds.

Some manufacturers add a security check beforehand and ask whether the app may be sent for scanning. Either answer is fine.

Allow permissions on first start

On first start the app asks for what it needs:

Nearby devices for Bluetooth, Location because Android ties Bluetooth scanning to it, Microphone for voice messages and Notifications for incoming messages.

Anything you decline can be granted later in the Android settings. Without nearby devices, however, no Bluetooth connection is possible.

MeshCore radios: When MeshCransfer connects over Bluetooth for the first time, Android asks for a pairing PIN. It is shown on the radio's display, or it is the PIN set in the companion firmware (often 123456 on devices without a display).

Nothing leaves your phone. The apps have no account and no server. The permissions above are needed for the radio link, the microphone and notifications - nothing else.

If something does not work

Which app do I need again?: The one for the firmware on your radio: MeshTransfer for Meshtastic, MeshCransfer for MeshCore. MeshTransfer cannot connect to a MeshCore radio and the other way round - the app then finds the device but cannot talk to it. File transfers also need the same app on both ends.
The browser blocks the download.: Some browsers refuse files of this type. Open the start page in Chrome or Firefox, or download the file on a computer and copy it to the phone.
“App not installed” appears.: Usually there is an older version with a different signature on the phone. Uninstall it first, then install again. Your chat history is in the app's own storage and is removed with it - make a backup under Properties beforehand. Installing MeshCransfer never replaces MeshTransfer; they are separate apps.
The permission dialogue never appears.: Then the browser already has the permission. Go straight to the installation dialogue.
Android warns about an unknown developer.: That is the standard notice for apps outside the Play Store. The file is signed; you can check the signature on the download page.
Do I need a second licence for the second app?: No. One licence covers MeshTransfer and MeshCransfer. Activate it in each app with the QR code or the link from your e-mail.

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