How To Build A Real Time Chat App (Android)?

Abirami Elangovan Published On November 8th, 2024 Tech Talks

A realtime chat app is a software application that provides instant and responsive P2P communication experiences. These apps enable messages to be delivered instantly to recipients, once they are sent without any significant delays. 

Plus, real-time chat apps are most commonly used for team collaboration, personal communication, and for contact center support.   

About MirrorFly

MirrorFly is a leading CPaaS provider that offers a real-time messaging solution that includes 1000+ features for any web or mobile app. Designed for developers, MirrorFly offers the tools necessary to create a seamless chat experience – whether for customer support, social interaction, or team collaboration. 

Role of MirrorFly Chat API: 

1. 100% Customizable: MirrorFly lets you customize your chat app as much as you need, without any restrictions.  
2. Full Source Code Ownership: You can enjoy total control over your app with complete access to the source code.
3. Unlimited Chat & Call: Users can engage in endless conversations and voice calls without any restrictions.
4. SIP & VoIP Call: Utilize advanced communication technologies like SIP and VoIP for high-quality voice calls directly within your app.
5. Hire Dedicated Team to build app: You can onboard a skilled team of experts ready to collaborate with you on developing your app
6. Customize Security: MirrorFly lets you personalize the security features to protect users’ data and conversations.
7. Whitelabel Solution: Launch your chat app under your brand name without revealing any of MirrorFly’s branding elements. 
8. Flexible Hosting: Choose from various hosting options that best suit your operational requirements – on-premise or on-cloud. 
9. Chatbot: You can set up chatbots that can handle queries, provide assistance, and automate conversations.
10. Upload Huge Files: Allow users to share large files effortlessly, making it easier to exchange important documents and media.
11. Built on Microservice Architecture: Benefit from a robust and scalable infrastructure that ensures high performance and easy maintenance.
12. Native & Hybrid Languages: You can build your real-time chat app using any tech stack. 
13. Scale 1 billion Conversation: Your chat platform can handle massive user bases effortlessly, with the ability to scale up to one billion conversations without compromising performance.
14. Low Code SDK: You can make use of a low-code software development kit that accelerates the app development process while minimizing coding efforts.
15. Support 100+ Integrations: Easily integrate with over 100 third-party services and platforms that customers use on a day to day basis. 

Steps To Build A Real Time Chat App In Android  

Getting Started

Requirements

The requirements for chat SDK for Android are:

• Android Lollipop 5.0 (API Level 21) or above
• Java 7 or higher
• Gradle 4.1.0 or higher
• targetSdkVersion,compileSdk 34 or above

Note : If you’re utilizing Chat SDK version 7.11.4 or higher, it’s necessary to adjust the target SDK version to 34. This is due to the migration of Chat SDK to Android 14.

Get License Key

To obtain the License Key for your MirrorFly application, follow these steps:

1. Register for a MirrorFly User Account: Contact MirrorFly Team, set up for an account. Log In to Your Account: After registration, log in to your MirrorFly account.
2. Access the License Key: Once logged in, navigate to the ‘Application Info’ section. Here, you’ll find the License Key provided for your application.

This License Key is essential for authenticating the SDK in your application. Ensure you use it as directed in the integration documentation for your specific platform.

 

Looking To Build A Self-Hosted Real-Time Chat Platform From Scratch!

Get Started

Integrate the Chat SDK

Step 1: Create a new project or open an existing one in Android Studio.

Step 2: If you’re using Gradle 6.8 or higher, add the following code to your settings.gradle file. For Gradle 6.7 or lower, add it to your root build.gradle file. Check the release notes for more details on Gradle updates.

• Gradle 6.8 or higher
• Gradle 6.7 or lower

dependencyResolutionManagement {
   repositories {
       mavenCentral()
       google()
       jcenter()
       maven {
           url "https://repo.mirrorfly.com/release"
       }
   }
}

Step 3: Add the following dependencies to your app/build.gradle file.

dependencies {
  implementation 'com.mirrorfly.sdk:mirrorflysdk:7.13.7'
}
Step 4: Add the following line to the gradle.properties file to prevent conflicts with imported libraries.

android.enableJetifier=true
Step 5: Open the AndroidManifest.xml file and add the following permissions.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
Initialize Chat SDK
To start using the SDK, ensure you meet the basic requirements before beginning the initialization process. In your Application class, within the onCreate() method, call the following method from ChatManager to provide the necessary data.

ChatManager.initializeSDK("LICENSE_KEY", (isSuccess, throwable, data) -> {
           if(isSuccess){
               Log.d("TAG", "initializeSDK success ");
           }else{
               Log.d("TAG", "initializeSDK failed with reason "+data.get("message"));
           }
       });

Add MyApplication

Add the MyApplication class to your AndroidManifest.xml file.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   package="com.example.uikitapplication">

<application
       android:name=".MyApplication"  // Add this line.
       android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
       android:label="@string/app_name"
       android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
       android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
       <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
           <intent-filter>
               <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
               ...
               <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
           </intent-filter>
       </activity>
   </application>

Registration

Use the following method to register a user in Sandbox or Live mode, depending on the setIsTrialLicenceKey setting.

FlyCore.registerUser(USER_IDENTIFIER, (isSuccess, throwable, data ) -> {
       if(isSuccess) {
           Boolean isNewUser = (Boolean) data.get("is_new_user"); // true - if the current user is different from the previous session's logged-in user, false - if the same user is logging in again
           String userJid = (String) data.get("userJid"); //Ex. 12345678@xmpp-preprod-sandbox.mirrorfly.com (USER_IDENTIFIER+@+domain of the chat server)
           JSONObject responseObject = (JSONObject) data.get("data");
           String username = responseObject.getString("username");
       } else {
          // Register user failed print throwable to find the exception details.
       }
  });

Connect To The Chat Server

After successful registration, ChatSDK will automatically connect to the chat server. It also monitors the application lifecycle to manage connections, connecting or disconnecting from the server as needed.

Observe Connection Events

Once the ChatConnectionListener is set, you’ll be able to receive the connection status in the callback method as shown below.

ChatManager.setConnectionListener(new ChatConnectionListener() {
   @Override
   public void onConnected() {
       // Write your success logic here to navigate Profile Page or
       // To Start your one-one chat with your friends
   }

@Override
   public void onDisconnected() {
       // Connection disconnected
   }

@Override
   public void onConnectionFailed(@NonNull FlyException e) {
       // Connection Not authorized or Unable to establish connection with server
   }

@Override
   public void onReconnecting() {
       // Automatic reconnection enabled
   }
});

Preparing Using JID
To generate a JID for a user, use the following method.

FlyUtils.getJid(USER_NAME)

Send a One-to-One Message

Use the following method to send a text message to another user.

TextMessage textMessage = new TextMessage();
textMessage.setToId(TO_JID);
textMessage.setMessageText(TEXT);

FlyMessenger.sendTextMessage(textMessage, (isSuccess, error, chatMessage) -> {
   if (isSuccess) {
       // you will get the message sent success response
   }
});

Receive A One-to-One Message

You need to initialize the MessageEventsListener to receive and observe all incoming messages sent to you.

ChatEventsManager.setupMessageEventListener(new MessageEventsListener() {
           @Override
           public void onMessageReceived(@NotNull ChatMessage message) {
             //called when the new message is received
           }
 });

Additionally, the listeners will be triggered only when a new message is received from another user. For more details, please refer to the callback listeners documentation.

@Override
   public void onMessageReceived(@NonNull ChatMessage message) {
       super.onMessageReceived(message);
       // received message object
   }

20 Must-have Features In A Real Time Messaging App?

The real-time chat services are usually built with a combination of unique features and functionalities. And so, it is their top-notch features that indicate an app’s growth and success in the market. 

Thus, let’s have a look at some of the most popular chat app features.

1. Topic-based Chat

Topic-based chat is a messaging feature that organizes conversations around specific subjects. Users can simply create and manage conversations based on topics. One example for this type of chat is Buyer-seller chat, where users can tag their communications accordingly. 

2. Typing Indicators

Typing indicator is a feature that displays a visual cue in a chat interface when someone is typing a message. This is simply like a heads up that lets users know that their conversation partner is preparing to send a message or respond. 

3. Message Search

Message search feature allows users to quickly find specific messages within a chat by entering a specific word or phrases. This feature is specifically used for retrieving important or particular information from lengthy conversations without having to scroll through all previous messages. 

4. In-app Chat Rooms

In-app chat rooms allow many people to talk at the same time, and they are generally grouped around certain subjects or hobbies. This tool encourages interpersonal relationships and collaboration, letting individuals to share information and discuss topics in real time.

5. Offline Messaging

Offline messaging allows users to send messages even when not connected to the internet. These messages are automatically kept and transmitted as the user reconnects, so that communication keeps happening even when there are unprecedented network challenges.

6. Chatbot

Chatbots are automated software that can communicate with people in a conversational format. They can respond to queries quickly, help with customer support activities, and walk consumers through various processes, increasing user experience and effectiveness in operation.

7. Chat History

Chat history is a record of all messages exchanged during a discussion. This feature allows users to look into past interactions, which can be helpful in maintaining continuity in ongoing conversations or recovering previously exchanged information.

8. Chat Export & Backup

Chat export and backup options enable users to safeguard their conversation history elsewhere, either as a file or in cloud storage. This promises that important interactions are saved and available later, even if the user changes devices or deletes the app.

9. Scheduled Messages

Scheduled messaging allows users to prepare messages ahead of time and schedule them to be sent on a specific day and time. This feature is perfect for reminders, birthday greetings, and any other message that has to be precisely scheduled without the sender’s real-time engagement.

10. Chat Moderation

Chat moderation tools are meant for helping moderate discussions in group chats or forums. These tools enable designated moderators to track discussions, implement rules, delete offensive information, and keep interactions civil and on-topic.

11. Video Calling & Video Conferencing

A real time chat app without video calling and video conferencing features is something unimaginable. 

The presence of these two capabilities would allow users to engage in a one-on-one video chat or group video calls, regardless of their geographical location. 

12. One-to-one and Group Chat

Let your users connect with their peers or with multiple members of a team via one-on-one private chats or group chats. 

Also, with additional features like emojis, file sharing, online chat rooms, and push notifications, make communication more easy and more effective.  

13. On-cloud & On-premise Hosting

These are the two options for hosting your chat app infrastructure. 

While in the on-cloud hosting model, your entire chat app can be hosted on our cloud servers or any third-party cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure. 

These providers will look after the scalability, security, and maintenance processes. But, you will be devoid of any control or ownership. Customizing security is difficult.

Whereas, hosting apps on your own premises can give you complete control over data and security, and give you endless customization options. Plus, this model even allows you to configure and maintain the servers as per your business needs. 

14. End -to End Encryption

Security is a major concern for any messaging platform. 

Therefore, to ensure the highest degree of confidentiality, many best chat SDKs are built with E2E encryption protocols that secures every conversation happening over the internet.  

In this process, the data is encrypted at the sender’s end and will be automatically decrypted on the receiver’s side thus protecting content from prying eyes.

15. Multimedia Support (File and Image)

Alongside the video, voice, and chat capabilities that many chat platforms or apps offer, multimedia support is the most sought-after requirement by businesses. 

Always go ahead with a chat SDK provider that offers file and image-sharing features, as these are known to enhance communication.

Plus, the presence of emojis, GIFs, and graphics can foster dynamic interactions. 

16. VoIP/SIP Calling

The main purpose of these VoIP/SIP calling features is to replace your traditional business phone lines. 

While VoIP helps the transmission of voice signals over the internet by converting them into digital packets, SIP  on the other hand, manages communication sessions between users.

Thus, both protocols stand as a reliable alternative to traditional phone lines.

17. Voice Calling and Recording

Voice calling and voice recording are some of the best real-time communication features to see in an instant messaging platform, as they connect businesses in the most cost-effective manner. 

They allow you to contact and interact with people in real-time wherein you can record the conversations and have them stored for your future reference.

18. Cross Platform Calling and Call Queuing

Everybody appreciates an app when it is available as an easy-to-use service. Cross-platform calling allows you to make and receive high-quality voice calls across any platform, desktop, mobile app, or carrier network anytime in realtime. With the call queuing feature, the call will automatically get into the queue until the agent gets free to attend the next call.

19. In-app purchase and Monetization

What if you have been given the option to buy the specific features that your app desires – sounds great, right? 

This is what in-app purchase does, it lets users access special content within the chat app by paying a specific fee.

And as we speak about monetization, there are many models. 

All of which assist businesses to reach out to customers in a direct way that eventually increases the conversion rate by 150% more than the conventional. 

For instance, in-app chat advertisements, social media ads, pay-per-download, sponsorship, premium customer service, etc.

20. Chat Analytics

Chat analytics helps businesses or brands to gain insights on data points within a messaging app. These data points can include response times, user engagement, message volume, and more.

Plus, having this information in hand can help businesses boost customer service, improve engagements, and elevate UXs.  

Now, after a brief discussion about the essential features that a realtime chat app should have. Let’s move on to its technical part, the backend picture.

List Of Tech Stacks That Create Robust Chat Apps

Have you ever noticed how these real time chat apps are so perfect with their functionalities? Well, it’s the technical stack that plays the key role. 

Yes! They work so silently in the back  to make a real-time chat platform the best. 

Therefore, we will explore some of the varieties in the tech stack and have a better understanding.

➡️1. Erlang

Erlang, created by Ericsson, is a powerful programming language commonly used to create robust real-time chat applications. 

Additionally, Erlang is well-suited for building scalable telecom and fintech applications because of its native capabilities.

And being lightweight in nature, the language has made adding message passing and other real-time features simply easy. 

➡️2. Ejabberd

Ejabberd is an open-source XMPP messaging server that is developed in Erlang to build robust real-time chat apps. 

Plus, the apps built using this programming language are known to be highly performing, reliable, and extensible. 

Some of the most common features that can be developed with Ejabber’s pluggable modules include:

1. One-on-one chat
2. Personal Event Protocol (PEP)
3. Message typing specification
4. Privacy setting and account spoofing
5. Message Archive Management (MAM), and much more.

➡️3. FreeBSD

This is a free and open-source UNIX-like operating system.

Its functionality is very much similar to Linux with major differences lying in scope and licensing. 

Another positive aspect of this tech stack is that WhatsApp, which is known to send  billions of messages daily without any glitches, is built using FreeBSD.

➡️4. YAWS

The YAWS (Yet Another Web Server) programming language is fully written on Erlang, and so, is suitable to build scalable apps.
Plus, YAWS is highly customizable and its support for various protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, and WebSocket, makes it an ideal choice for developers to create real-time apps.
Just not these, YAWS system is also capable enough to handle concurrent processes in an efficient way without compromising on performance.

➡️5. Lighttpd

Lighttpd, also spelled as Lighty, is an open-source web server that is designed to handle high-traffic websites & apps, and concurrent connections.
Plus, the tech stack has a small memory but great performance capability that has been helping developers build reliable and lightweight web solutions.

Recommended Reading

• XMPP Vs. Web Sockets -Which Is Better For Chat App?
• 10 Best Secure Messaging Apps For Android & IOS [Updated List 2023]

➡️6. Php

PHP is widely recognized as a popular programming language that is used to build websites. And an added benefit of it is that it is free to use.

Proof of the above is the launch of several personal blogs and corporate websites that have used PHP with HTML. 

Additionally, PHP supports various databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite, all of which are helpful to build dynamic web apps. 

➡️7. BEAM

BEAM is part of the Erlang Run-Time System (ERTS), meaning, it compiles the Erlang source code into bytecode in quick seconds. 

Which is then executed on the BEAM virtual machine.

Plus, the language comes packed with multiple pre-built functions like a network interface tool. 

This interface tool is known to enhance the functionality of chat apps through schedulers, message passing, and memory management. 

➡️8. XMPP Server

An XMPP(Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) server is a type of application or software technology that promotes real-time chats with the help of XMPP protocol. 

Additionally, it supports instant messaging, chat services, presence, and collaboration features in multiple platforms and devices.  

Above these, one of the key advantages of an XMPP server is that it can be deployed on any environment, be it a cloud infrastructure, public internet, or enterprise network.

Along with this, developers too can integrate them with other systems using XMPP extensions (XEPs). 

➡️9. HTML WebSocket

The WebSocket is one of the reliable real-time communication protocols that facilitates persistent and bi-directional communication between web servers and browsers.  

And unlike HTTP protocol, WebSocket uses TCP connection to enable data exchange through continuous polling. 

➡️10. Mnesia DB

This is a realtime database management system that is written in the Erlang language. 

Since it’s a soft database, it permits the storage of messages, images, files, voice/video files, documents, GIFs, etc., on your real time chat application. 

This is the most forwarded technology that works beyond one’s expectations and has the capability to store any amount of data.

So these are some of the majorly used technologies or tech stacks to build real time chat apps. Now, let’s see how impactful such apps can be for businesses.

How Does A Realtime Chat App Benefit Businesses?

A real-time chat app is like a savior for many small and medium-sized businesses in offering numerous benefits to enhance communication and collaboration. 

And of course, brands or developers can bring the global connection to the table by building a real time chat app for an enterprise.

Therefore, let’s see some of the benefits of real-time chat applications for businesses.

✅1. Improves Collaboration

Real-time chat apps can facilitate productive teamwork through seamless communication capabilities like 1-on-1 chats, group video calls, file sharing, push notifications, and more.

These features help promote better coordination between team members and alleviate product hassles.

✅2. Boosts Work Ethics

This benefit explains the professionalism employees can experience on using a messaging platform. 

Not only does the app give transparency on tasks pending and covered, but it also keeps employees notified by tagging them.

✅3. Strengthens Productivity

Using a real-time communication solution in the workplace can help employees quickly get their issues resolved, collaborate with their peers on tasks, and meet deadlines. 

Thus, streamlining the work procedure and helping them stay productive at all times. 

✅4. Reduces Cost

Imagine the cost and time it would take when businesses use phone calls to discuss meetings or resolve issues.

Unimaginably high, and that’s where real-time chat services help reduce the overall cost by bringing in communication and collaboration features in a single platform.  

✅5. Different Hosting Models

This could be said as one of the prime benefits of using a real-time chat app – hosting model. Yes, some of the applications provide on-cloud and on-premise hosting solutions based on business requirements.

Though both models are secure, the on-premise chat solution helps brands customize security, and features, and build a whitelabeled messenger app. 

mirrorfly.com/self-hosted-chat-solution.php?utm_campaign=MirrorFly – SQL Campaign&utm_source=CONTUS&utm_medium=Blog(opens in a new tab)

✅6. High-end Automated Recording

The final one on the list is the advanced features that real-time chat apps offer- recording and archiving conversations. 

This recording capability can help businesses track compliance and quality assurance parameters in call centers. 

Plus, analyze data for employee improvement purposes.  

The above are some of the major contributions that the real-time chat app provides to any enterprise.

Wrapping Up!

For now, I hope you would have got a clear understanding of how to make a messaging app for Android or web apps, with features, functionalities, and tech stacks. 

Now, it’s up to you to decide what and all things you require to create your real time chat app for iOS , android from the above-mentioned listings. But, if you still feel you need more guidance concerning the same then feel free to book a demo with us, we are here to assist you.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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