Invite friends and family to SimpleX without sharing your number

How to invite friends and family to SimpleX without them having to give out their number? You've come to the right place. SimpleX is a privacy-focused messaging app that lets people connect without sharing a phone number, email address, or username. The invitation is sent via a single-use link or QR code, and the other person simply needs to install the app and open it to start chatting with you.

In this guide I tell you, step by step and with practical tricks, how to invite friends and family to SimpleX from Android, iOS, and desktop, how to do it for non-technical users, what happens with invitation links, best security practices, and how to resolve common questions. The idea is that you can do it in minutes and with complete peace of mind, keeping your identity and metadata safe.

What is SimpleX and why doesn't it need your number?

SimpleX is a messaging platform designed to minimize the exposure of your data.Unlike other apps, it doesn't rely on global identifiers like phone numbers or email addresses to find you, and it avoids having a central user directory. Instead, it establishes private connections between devices through invitations that don't reveal your identity.

Thanks to this approach, inviting someone doesn't mean giving up your privacy.: You generate a one-time invitation, share it via your preferred channel (in person with a QR code, or via a link), and the other person accepts it from their SimpleX. You don't have to provide a number or email address, and you won't be "exposed" on any public calendar.

How an invitation works in SimpleX

The mechanics are very simple: you create an invitation from your app, which appears as a special link and/or a QR code. This invitation is typically one-time use; when the invited person opens it on their device with SimpleX installed, Both apps establish the private communication channel and you can now chat..

The invitation does not reveal your number or any identity outside of the chat.The link or QR code contains the technical information necessary for the devices to recognize each other and agree to the connection, but without personal data. This allows even very private contacts to feel comfortable entering.

Invite from Android step by step

If you are using Android, the flow to invite a contact is straightforward.Depending on the app version, the menu names may vary slightly, but the general process is as follows:

1. Open SimpleX on your mobile and access the main chat screen.
2. Tap on create new chat or invite contact. It usually appears as “New chat”, “Add contact” or “Invite to SimpleX”.
3. Choose the invitation method: Invitation link or QR code. The app will generate both in many cases.
4. If you share by link, use the system's share menu to send it via your preferred channel (messaging, email, etc.).
5. If you do it in person, show the QR and have the other person scan it from their SimpleX app.
6. Tell your contact to install SimpleX if you don't have it yet, and open the link with the app or scan the QR code.
7. When you accept the invitation, the chat will be created and you can start talking.

Advice- If the link does not open directly in the app, have the contact copy the link and open it from SimpleX (“Accept invitation” option or similar).

Invite from iPhone (iOS)

On iOS the process is similar and also very fast.:

1. Open SimpleX and go to the chats or contacts section.
2. Click on “New chat”, “Add contact” or “Invite”, according to the version.
3. Generate the invitation and decide whether you will share a link or show the QR code.
4. Use the iOS Share menu to send the link via Messages, Mail, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.
5. If you are together, display the QR on your screen for scanning from SimpleX.
6. When the other person accepts, the chat will appear automatically.

Remember: The invitation does not link your number or Apple ID; it is a private connection between local SimpleX profiles.

Invite from desktop

SimpleX has a desktop app and you can also create invitations from there:

1. Open SimpleX on your computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux, as available).
2. Go to add contact or invite in the chat interface.
3. Generate the link/QRYou can copy the link to the clipboard or display the QR code in full screen.
4. Share the link by email or messaging, or have the other person scan the QR code directly on your screen.

Once the invitation is accepted, you'll have the chat synchronized in that desktop client, without the need for external numbers or accounts.

Three easy ways to invite low-tech family members

When the person is not very technologicalThe important thing is to reduce friction. Here are three scenarios that work very well:

• In person with QR: Generate the QR code on your phone and ask them to open SimpleX and scan it. This is the most straightforward and confusing option.
• By WhatsApp/Telegram/SMS with link: Tell them to tap the link, install SimpleX if prompted, and then tap “Open in SimpleX.” You can add a prompt like “Open this link with the SimpleX app you’ll see in the store.”
• By email: Useful for those who rarely use their mobile phone. Send the link and attach a simple sentence with basic instructions.

Useful trick: offers a short video call to guide you through the process the first time; it usually takes just 2 minutes to get it ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invitations

These are doubts that usually arise when inviting and accepting:

• Does the invitation show my number or email? No. The link or QR code does not include personal data; only the technical information needed to establish the channel.
• Can I share the invitation through any app? Yes, but remember that the channel you send it through will know that you shared that link. If privacy is critical, use the QR code in person.
• Do invitations expire? They're usually single-use. If someone has already used it or it expires, simply generate a new one.
• What if the person doesn't have SimpleX? When you open the link, the system will suggest you install the app. You can then accept the invitation.
• Can I invite a group? SimpleX offers group chats; create a group and use the group invitation options to share access with new members.
• What happens if the link doesn't open the app? Copy it and open it from SimpleX (option to accept invitation) or try tapping “Open in app” if the browser offers it.

In case of doubtYou can always revoke an unused invitation by creating a new one and sharing it on the channel you trust the most.

Good security and privacy practices

The great advantage of SimpleX is that it does not expose your identity., but it is advisable to apply these recommendations to maintain maximum protection:

• Prefers QR in person when the contact is sensitive, to prevent the link from traveling through intermediate services.
• Avoid posting open invitations (forums, social networks). They're single-use, but it's better if they don't hang around.
• Generate one invitation per personIf you share the same invitation with several people, only one will be able to accept it.
• When you're done, delete the third-party app invitation. (for example, delete the message with the link in an external chat).
• Block or eliminate contact from SimpleX if you no longer wish to continue communicating.

It is also advisable to protect your app with PIN or biometrics. if your device supports it, and keep SimpleX up to date to benefit from security improvements.

How to help the other person accept the invitation

So that the process is fluid for the other party, you can send them these brief instructions that work in almost all cases:

1. How to use SimpleX Install from your device's store.
2. Return to the message with the link and tap on it. If it opens in a browser, tap “Open in SimpleX.”
3. Confirm that you want to connect with the person who invited you.
4. Start chatting in the new chat that you will see in the app.

If QR is preferred, open SimpleX, go to the accept/add contact option and use the camera to scan it.

Solve typical problems

Sometimes small obstacles arise that are easy to solve.:

• The link opens the browser but not the app.: Look for the “Open in app” button. If it doesn’t appear, copy the link, open SimpleX, and use the “Accept invitation” option by pasting it there.
• The invitation has already been used or expired: Request a new invitation; SimpleX invitations are typically single-use by design.
• I can't find the option to scan QROn the Add Contact screen, look for a camera icon or “Scan QR Code.” If you don’t see it, update the app.
• I can't install SimpleX: Check the minimum Android/iOS version and free space. On desktop, download the app from the official website.

If the other person is still stuck, suggest a quick call while they do the steps, and if you're close, use the QR code method in person.

Invitations and contact management

Once the invitation is accepted, SimpleX creates a contact and a private chat.From that moment on, you can exchange messages, files, and, depending on the version, make calls or create group chats.

If you want to invite more people, repeat the process and generate a new invitation for each person. This keeps connections separate and avoids confusion with reused links.

Practical privacy when inviting

The channel through which you share the invitation does leave a trace on that service.If you're concerned about WhatsApp, Telegram, or email registering that you sent a link, choose to show the QR code in person or use a disposable channel.

It is not necessary to share any data beyond the link or QRIf someone asks for your phone number “just in case,” remind them that SimpleX is designed to work without it.

Tips to convince doubters

Many people value convenience over privacy.To encourage them to try SimpleX, focus on the practical benefits:

• No number needed: ideal for not mixing personal and professional circles.
• Ultra-fast invitations: link or QR and that's it, no endless registrations.
• Less spam: Since there is no number or directory, it is more difficult for them to bother you.

In addition, the app is light and easy to use, so the jump won't be difficult for them if you accompany them the first time.

Common mistakes to avoid

To make sure everything goes well the first time, avoid these common mistakes:

• Reusing the same invitation with multiple people. Only one can be used. Generate one per contact.
• Send the link and “disappear”If this is your first time, please include 2 lines of instructions.
• Post the link in mass groupsEven if it's for single use, don't display your invitation unnecessarily.

With these small precautions, invitations work the first time and without any problems.

What if you change devices?

If you upgrade to a new phone or install SimpleX on another deviceRemember that chat and contacts live in your local app. Check the copy/transfer options offered by your SimpleX version to safely move your profile.

If you are not migrating and just want to invite from your new device, simply generate new invitations from there. Your existing contacts can continue to contact you depending on how you've set up your profiles.

Quick checklist before inviting

Before sending the invitation, check these points to avoid setbacks:

• App updated on your device.
• Decide whether you will use a link or QR code depending on the context.
• Prepare a couple of guide sentences for the other person.
• Check that the link works opening it yourself on another test device if possible.

With this ready, you'll be inviting in less than a minute without sharing any sensitive information.

The key to inviting friends and family to SimpleX without giving your number is to take advantage of their single-use invitations, choose the appropriate channel (link or QR code) and provide brief instructions when necessary. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you'll establish private chats without exposing your identity, minimize metadata, and make it easy for anyone—even the non-technical—to join you in a secure conversation.