Threema symbols: that is what they mean
Threema is very different from the competing WhatsApp app: end-to-end encryption, no subscription fee, but also other symbols and functions. In this practical tip, we take a look at the symbols of the chat app: on the one hand, the status symbols for messages, and on the other hand, the security levels with which contacts are marked.
Threema symbols for messages - that's what they mean
You will encounter the following symbols in Threema when you open a chat window or receive or send messages.
- Up arrow: The message is transferred from the cell phone to the Threema server. If this icon is displayed for a few seconds or longer, there is probably a connection error.
- Envelope: The message has been sent to the Threema server and is waiting to be sent to the recipient.
- Down arrow: The message was transferred to the recipient device but not yet read. If the recipient uses an iOS device, this symbol is only displayed after the app has been started.
- Eye: The message was read by the recipient. Note: If this has deactivated the read confirmation in the Threema settings, only the "Message delivered" symbol (down arrow) is displayed.
- Exclamation mark: The message could not be completely transmitted, e.g. B. if an image upload is canceled. In this case, you can send the message again by long-tapping on the respective message and - under iOS - "Try again" or - under Android - "Forward".
- Checkmark: The recipient has manually confirmed the message by tapping on it and selecting "Confirm". This usually means that he has understood the message and / or agrees with the content. On the next page there is more information about the green tick.
Threema symbols: traffic light with trust level
The symbols below appear in Threema in the contact overview or on the details page of a contact. They should show the security of the connection.
- Red - Level 1: The contact wrote to you or you added the contact manually, but not in your contact book (or the synchronization with your contacts deactivated). It is unclear whether the contact is the person he claims to be.
- Orange - Level 2: The contact was found in their address book and could be verified using their cell phone number and email address. You can be fairly certain that this is actually the assumed person, but all you have to do is rely on the testing mechanisms of Threema.
- Green - Level 3: You have manually scanned the contact's QR code. Since you have to meet the person in person to do this, you can be very sure that chatting is actually that person and that messages cannot be read. Exception: The respective contact has lost control of their cell phone because it was stolen or hacked.
Threema: More tips & alternatives to Messenger
- In the next article you will read how you can use Threema on your PC and laptop.
- In other practical tips we compared telegrams with Threema, signal with Threema and wire with Threema. All messengers claim to be safe - but is that really the case?
- Insider tip: With the Android app ChatSecure from The Guardian Project you can communicate with your contacts in encrypted form via Jabber and XMPP servers using OTR. You can also connect to the Tor network using Orbot.