What Is XMPP & How Does It Work?
XMPP (also known as Jabber) is a well-established instant messaging protocol millions have used, whether they were aware of it or not. Various popular messaging apps began as XMPP chat clients before morphing into something walled off and proprietary.
But did you know that XMPP is something that you’re able to install directly? Not only that, there are many reasons why you might want to consider chatting via an XMPP client rather than joining the latest chat platform. So let’s dive into what XMPP is and why you might want to give it a try.
What Is XMPP?
XMPP stands forExtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol. In simpler terms, XMPP is a decentralized messaging standard akin to email. Anyone can create an XMPP account on one server and chat with someone registered on another server. Like email, no one company has either access to or control over everyone’s data. You can choose from different XMPP providers, just like you can choose between different email providers.
Originally known as Jabber, XMPP serves as an internet standard that reduces the need for people to continuously reinvent the wheel. The code and specifications are open for anyone to learn and implement. It’s also relatively easy to set up an XMPP server that allows people to create accounts and send one another messages. This is why Google Talk, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp have all utilized XMPP to one degree or another. Yet while these companies chose to wall off their platforms, there are plenty of open XMPP providers you can choose from.
XMPP has been around since 1999, and it remains a standard that people actively develop and utilize. Many sites or services that contain a chat feature continue to turn to XMPP, as is the case with theJitsi Meet video conferencing tool.
How to Use XMPP
XMPP works a lot like email. You create an account with a provider and have the ability to send a message to other XMPP users regardless of where they registered their account.
Your first step is to find a provider you’re comfortable with. Many are free, while others charge for the work of maintaining the server. There’s a lengthy list over atproviders.xmpp.net.
Once you’ve settled on a provider, you must register an account. The process can vary based on the provider you choose, with some offering registration through a website while others let you sign up using an app.
When you create your account, you will need to create a username. Usernames look very similar to email addresses, such asusername@disroot.org. Everything after the@symbol indicates the server where your username can be found.
At this point, if you haven’t already, you need to select an XMPP client. Like email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook, XMPP clients come in many forms. Regardless of which operating system you use, whether on a PC or a mobile device, you can find alist of XMPP clientson the official XMPP website. We suggest Quicksy on Android, which is just as easy to sign up for as Signal or WhatsApp, and Monal on iOS devices.
Download:Quicksy forAndroid(Free)
Download:Monal foriOS(Free)
Once you have a client, you sign in with your username and password. Then you can add contacts and begin sending messages to other XMPP accounts. The experience will feel familiar to anyone who remembers AIM or Yahoo Messenger.
XMPP isn’t limited to text. You can send photos, audio clips, and other files. You can also conduct voice calls over XMPP just like you can with any modern chat app. XMPP supports video calling as well. You can also send GIFs and emojis.
The interface may not feel as modern as the mainstream platforms, but most of the core features are there. Your experience will depend a lot on which client you decide to use.
Reasons to Use XMPP
Using XMPP is pretty straightforward. A more interesting question, perhaps, is why use XMPP? There are many advantages to open standards and decentralization that the mainstream platforms, despite their popularity, can’t offer.
Should You Use XMPP?
Despite its age, or perhaps because of it, XMPP remains a viable option for anyone simply looking for a way to chat with other people online. The major chat platforms increasingly track and monetize our communications. XMPP providers offer a more quiet corner of the web where, with encryption enabled, you can chat in private.
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