Biocoded Android User Guide

Installing Biocoded

Biocoded mobile application is available for Android on Google Play:

• Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.biokoda.biocoded.business

Application can be distributed separately through the following distribution channels within the company or organization:

• Pre-installed application,
• Installation using the "Biocoded Installer" application (Android),
• MDM (Mobile Device Management) system, with the possibility of pre-configuration,
• Custom packages delivered directly by Biokoda.

Biocoded Installer

In case "Biocoded Installer" is already present on the system, start with step 2.

1. Installing the "Biocoded Installer" application:

Open the following link in the browser on your mobile https://[server domain]/install. This will download the APK file "Biocoded Installer" for you to install. If prompted about the trust of the APK source, confirm it as trusted.

1. Installing Biocoded using a Biocoded Installer:

Open the "Biocoded Installer" application. If Biocoded is already installed, the application will warn you, otherwise enter the installation server domain in the input field and select the option "Install".

Updating the Biocoded application

If a new version of the application is available, a pop up will be shown providing an update option. Pressing the "Update" button will take you to the website where you can begin the process of installing the new version. Your data in the application will remain unchanged.

In case of manual installation or installation through an installation package, a new version will have to be downloaded manually or through script, like when installing.

Application usage

Login or sign up for Biocoded

After running Biocoded for the first time, a screen providing login and registration is presented (registration is not available for private installations). To login, press "Log in" and to sign up and create a new account, press "Sign up". You can also log in via QR code, by pressing the QR scanner icon next to Log in button.

Login with QR

Your administrator will provide you with a PDF or printed document containing a QR code for your account. Ensure you have it ready for scanning before proceeding.

QR codes are single-use only and cannot be reused once scanned. Additionally, each QR code comes with a specific validity period.

After scanning, the application will prompt you to confirm your login. If the account displayed on the screen is correct, confirm and proceed by granting the necessary app permissions.

Login and activation

To log in to the global server, input your username and password and press "Log in".

To connect to a private server, press "Connect to private domain". The "Enter private domain" screen will be presented where you will enter your domain and press "Connect". After this, the "Login to private domain" screen will be presented, where you will enter your account's user name and password.

Note

On private installations, username and password are provided by your server administrator.

If you have forgotten your password, tap on "Forgot your password?" and you will be redirected to a website, where you can request a password reset using your username or account alias.

If you have logged in before, a wipe button will be visible. After tapping it, you will have to confirm the wipe, deleting all your personal data related to the app.

Note

To log in with a different account, your device will have to be wiped.

After logging in, your server administrator will provide you with a single use activation code for your device. Device activation is only done once per device.

Input your activation code and press "Activate".

Registration

To register using e-mail, enter your e-mail address and press "Continue".

To register using a phone number, tap on "Use my phone number instead". On the presented screen, select your country, enter your phone number and press "Continue". Pressing "Use my email instead" will return you to the registration screen using e-mail account.

After registering, you will receive an e-mail or text message containing a temporary password. Enter it on the presented login screen and press "Log in" or press on "ACTIVATE" in the received e-mail or message. The latter will automatically activate your device.

After successfully activating your device, you will be presented with the screen, where you must choose a password for your account and press "Confirm". The password must be at least six characters long and must contain letters and numbers.

After setting a password, you will be presented with a screen, where you can start using the application by tapping on "Start using" or update your profile (by setting a name and surname) tapping on "Update profile".

Biocoded user interface

Biocoded user interface is divided into sections:

• CALLS: list of past calls, also called call log, here you can repeat a past call and view a contact's call history or view the info of a group conference call,
• CONTACTS: your Biocoded contacts appear here and you can view their contact info, contact invitations and suggestions are also listed,
• CHATS: list of chats that you've exchanged messages in with users or groups, with options to pin a chat (swipe right on a chat) or delete/leave a chat (swipe left),
• SIDE MENU: including user status and settings that can be applied, described further in this document.

By pressing you can filter information shown on all tabs (except settings).

When pressing you have the following action shortcuts (the options differ from tab to tab):

• CALLS TAB: make a new call,
• CONTACTS TABS: share your QR code, scan a QR code and add contact,
• CHATS TAB: create a new chat or chat room.

Biocoded contacts

After selecting "Contacts" a list appears containing all your Biocoded contacts with whom you can communicate securely over Biocoded. You can search for a contact or filter them by groups.

After selecting a contact, the "Contact info" screen will appear.

This screen shows your contact's display name (if one exists), name and surname, user's profile image and status (if set), Biocoded ID, security information and a list of groups that connect you to this contact.

Pressing will execute a secure call with this contact and bring up the call screen. Pressing will open an existing conversation with this contact or create a new one, if no messages have been exchanged yet. Contact’s history can be accessed by pressing and it contains a list of exchanged calls and messages. Pressing will add this contact to your favourites list.

By tapping on , an option popup appears:

• EDIT DISPLAY NAME: you can set a custom display name for a contact. Only you will be able to see this name,
• REMOVE CONTACT: removes the contact from your contact list. You will have to confirm the removal. After they are removed, they will have to be re-added to communicate with you,
• SECURITY INFORMATION: displays a new window containing the secure channels with the contact. You can also reset the channels by tapping the button , and selecting "Reset secure channels",
• BLOCK CONTACT: blocks the contact from your contact list. You will have to confirm the block. After they are blocked, they will have to be unblocked to communicate with you.
• LOAD USER PROFILE: fetches the latest profile data for this user.

Some options might not be available according to server installation settings.

Adding a new contact

To add a new contact, tap on the shortcut menu icon on the Contacts tab. Upon expansion, select "Scan QR code" to scan a friend’s QR code. This will present the QR code scanning screen, which will scan codes automatically. By scanning a QR code you can quickly add a new contact. If you are unable to scan a contact’s QR code, you can still add them by selecting "Enter contact address".

If the contact does not have private mode turned on, they will be added to your contact list instantly. However, if contact has private mode turned on, they must first accept your invite, after which they will be added to your contact list.

Calling

You can call a contact using any of the following ways:

• by pressing the contact’s call button from the Calls tab,
• by selecting the contact in the Contacts tab and then pressing on on the contact info screen,
• by opening the action menu on Calls tab,
• from the chat with the contact, by pressing .

Calling from action menu

By tapping on Calls tab, a contact list is shown, where user can search by name, alias or ID and select the participants for the call from their contacts.

Call from call log

In the Calls tab select a previous call that you wish to repeat. After selecting, a call is executed. Icon represents a received call from a contact, icon represents an outgoing call and icon a missed call. These notations are also used in the contact history screen.

On contact history screen by taping on icon from one of the logs, a new screen opens with a graph that represents the bandwidth quality during the call.

Call from contacts

In the Contacts tab the user can select a contact. A contact info window will appear. To call the contact, press .

Receiving a call

When receiving a call, the incoming call screen is presented. Selecting the answer button accepts the call, while selecting the reject button rejects the call.

Call screen

After a call is executed or answered, a standard call screen will appear.

You can view the current participants of the call by tapping participants icon in the top right part of screen. This list shows if their microphones are muted, with the option to request their presence in a call (for admins of chat).

You can also add participants to a call by tapping . If this button is not visible, you do not have the rights to add participants.

Call channel ID is displayed on top of the screen for 1-1 calls and both users must see the same verification words for the channel ID. If your incoming call was answered while app was locked by App Lock, the displayed words are temporary (note the word "(Temporary)" next to verification words).

Warning

When the verification words match for both participants of call, the call is secure. If the verification words differ, the call must be terminated immediately.

You can view information about the active call by pressing . This will bring up the call info popup screen.

Call information

• ENCRYPTION: tells the user whether the encryption of data is turned on.
• BITRATE: the speed of sound data transmission.
• PROTOCOL: the protocol that is being used for sound transmission.
• SENDER KEY: the sender key of the selected participant.

Note

For optimum call quality, your network must allow at least 5kB/s receive speed (Rx) and 5kB/s send speed (Tx). If your network speed is less than specified, the sound can be distorted or the call can work incorrectly. You can see the network status at any time by tapping .

You can mute the call by pressing .

You can also switch between available output options. If you have no external devices connected to your device (like headphones or a Bluetooth device), pressing will turn on your speaker. If there are external devices available, a menu will pop up where you can select the desired output.

Pressing terminates the call.

To turn on video during a call, press . Your video will be visible on the bottom right corner of the screen. By selecting icon on your video, you switch between the front and the end camera of the phone.

You can also disable incoming videos by tapping and selecting "Turn off incoming videos". You can also choose "Raise hand" to indicate you wish to speak, especially useful in group calls or chat room calls. You can also choose to share your screen by turning on "Share screen".

Call in background

When in call, clicking the system back button or the back arrow (top left corner of the call screen) will set the call in background state and the user can navigate through the app freely.

While the call is in the background, there is floating movable view that allows the user two options:

• going back in the call screen,
• hanging up the call with the hang up button,
• turn the microphone on or off using the microphone button.

Chat creation

You can send a new message to a contact in the following ways: * by selecting a contact on the Contacts tab and then pressing on the contact info screen, * by pressing on the Chats tab and then selecting "New chat" to create a one-on-one chat or group chat with multiple people.

Under you will also find an option to create a chat room (private or public) by selecting "New chat room".

Create a group chat

By tapping on "Create group chat" on the previous screen, you can add participants to it by entering the contact’s name, surname or display name. As you type, a filtered list of contacts will appear and you will be able to select the desired contact.

Next you will be able to name your chat.

Create a chat room

Under on Chats tab you can create a chat room (private or public) by selecting "New chat room".

Chat rooms can be joined by URL and public rooms can require a PIN to join.

After creating a chatroom, participants can be added similar to group chats.

Sending a message

To send a text message, write the message in the "Write a message..." box. By selecting button, list of other input options are displayed where you are also able to send multimedia messages.

By pressing the text input, a keyboard will appear and you will be able to send a text message, by pressing .

You can mention a person in your message by typing "@" symbol and selecting their name from a list that appears, which can be filtered by typing some additional letters after "@".

You can capture a picture or video within the app by pressing the button. All captured media is securely stored on the application's internal storage and cannot be accessed by other applications on your device. You can switch the camera or toggle flash modes.

After capturing an image or video, a send button will appear and by tapping it, the image is sent.

To start a Biocoded Evidence live video, tap on the icon and select LIVE. This will bring up a new live video screen.

By pressing the icon, a gallery of your images and videos will appear. By tapping on an image or video, you can select more than one image or video. To send the image or video, tap the check button on the top right corner.

You can decide to add a caption to your selected photos and tap to send.

To send a voice message, you press the icon which brings up the voice recorder view. After you are done recording, you can listen to your recording by tapping on , discard it with or send it via the send button "Send".

To send documents and other files, you tap on the icon. This will bring up a document selection popup and after you pick a file, a confirmation popup will appear.

When you send or receive an image or a video, thumbnails of the sent or received files appear. By tapping the thumbnail, you will be able to view the file in full screen. If the file is a video, you will also be able to play it by tapping on the play button. By tapping on the play button on voice recordings, the recording will start playing.

Maps

By pressing the icon, a map screen will appear, where you can, by pressing +, choose to request the location of a chat participant (only for administrators), share your live location, share a location on the map or draw a map layer.

When sharing your location you will have to select the duration of sharing and you will be able to add a comment and assign a pin icon. Location can be sent by pressing the send button on the bottom right corner. If user's location is not being updated anymore, it will be marked as offline.

You can press icon to find your current location or search for locations by pressing "Search here" and entering an address, map layer marker label (assigned when editing map layers) and location coordinates (if enabled on server). You can add send & share the location with chat or add it to your map layer (confirmation needed).

To show the MGRS grid, press on grid icon. Press again to hide.

To choose between different map types on map screen, select map types icon in top right corner of map.

Draw a map layer

When drawing a map layer, you can choose to add different types of markers: line, shape, pin, grid and orientational symbol.

To draw a line tap on Line and add two or more points on the map. Users can select a color, line width and assign a label to be visible by other users.

To delete all newly drawn lines, press . To undo a change, press undo icon button. To confirm drawn lines, press on confirm icon button. Confirming and removing controls are the same for all types of markers.

To draw a shape press on Shape, tap on map and draw three or more points which will be connected into a shape. Users can also select a color and assign a label to this shape to be visible by other users.

When you are done adding shapes, your map layer can be saved by pressing "Save" and all shapes will become visible to participants of chat.

You can add a pin by selecting Pin and tapping on a location on the map. Pins can be assigned a color, icon, a pin name with two letters to be shown on map (if there is no icon assigned) and a descriptive label to be visible to other users.

To add a grid to map, select Grid. Move the map, select the grid color and assign a label (optional). Confirm with confirm icon button and add to map.

You can add an orientational symbol by selecting Orientational sym and clicking on two points on map. A label can be assigned.

To delete your entire map layer and it's contents, press on instead of Save. You will have to confirm reseting your layer.

To forward your entire map layer to another chat, press on forward icon (shown next to Save on top of screen). You can choose between:

• Keep current drawings - Forward & merge with existing,
• Remove current drawings - Forward & replace existing.

Select the users and their map markers you wish to forward. Now press Next and select the destination chat(s).

To edit any map marker, press on it and select edit. You will be able to move it or change it's properties.

If you click on a shared pin, you will be able to view data about location pin (who shared it, when, how long it will be visible, location address and coordinates (which you can copy with copy button or long press). If the shared location is live, it will be indicated with a blue indicator. If the live location is not current, it will be grey.

If the pin was shared by you, you will see Edit button, which allows you to delete or move the pin. View, add or delete pin attachments by selecting "Attachments". You can also choose to share the pin's location to an external mapping application using the "Share" button.

Pins that include attachments have the number of attachments next to them. If the pin was shared by you, you can press + to add images or files. You can also download attachments by pressing on the file name. Your attachments can be deleted by pressing on ... and Delete.

When viewing the map, you can also filter it by pressing fiter icon and toggling users that you wish to show on map. When you confirm your choice by pressing on Filter, only the selected user's map layers will be visible on map. To filter by marker types (shapes), tap on user's name and select map shapes you wish to show.

Situational awareness

If you are the admin of a chatroom, you can also send a situational awareness request to selected participants of chat (target icon) or users in selected Geo-Fence.

This consists of a question with two possible answers and can also optionally require a location to be shared by the user answering the request.

A preview of your request is available before you can send it by tapping "Send".

All answers from participants are displayed when request message is selected.

If locations were required, a map is shown containing user's locations.

Viewing messages

You can view received and sent media messages by clicking on them, which (for images, videos and evidence) shows their preview, or (in the case of files) offers file preview or download, or (for voice messages) plays them. Location related messages open map and situational awareness messages show their answers or show map (for those that require location).

Sending a message with expiration

You can set expiration for messages by selecting the menu button and selecting "Expiration". You will have to select for how long your messages should be available. The content of expired messages can no longer be accessed and viewed. Disabling expiration messages is done by pressing "None" when selecting an expiration time.

Messages that are going to expire are marked with a time indicator and a timestamp. If the message has not been seen yet, the timestamp will represent the time at which the message was sent. If the message has been seen, the timestamp will show the time remaining to view the message.

Before a message expires, an additional expire button will be visible, which will (with your confirmation required) expire the message for you ahead of time. Others will still be able to view the message until it's original expiration time passes or until you delete the message for all participants of chat.

Once the message has expired, it's content is replaced with "message expired".

You can remove expired messages by selecting the menu button and selecting "Clear expired".

Search in chat

While viewing a chat, you can tap on , enter a word and messages containing that word will be highlighted. You can jump between messages by pressing the arrow buttons next to your search term.

Chat details

Options differ for single chats, group chats, private chat rooms and public chat rooms.

Private chat details

• PROFILE: displays contact info which contains security information,
• MEDIA: by selecting this option, a media screen will appear displaying exchanged multimedia files and links,
• TAGS: displays a list of tags assigned to files exchanged in this chat,
• SAVED MESSAGES: contains a list of saved messages for this chat,
• NOTIFICATIONS: if you turn off notifications, you will no longer be notified of new messages in this chat,
• ADD PARTICIPANT: start a new group chat by adding a contact to your current 1-1 conversation,
• EXPIRATION: turn on expiration messages and select the expiration time,
• CLEAR EXPIRED: delete all expired messages from current chat,
• DELETE CHAT: deletes the chat and all exchanged data from your device.

Group chat details

• GROUP PROFILE: displays your chat's name and participants, where you can rename the chat or add or remove participants,
• GROUP MEDIA: by selecting this option, a media screen will appear displaying exchanged multimedia files and links,
• TAGS: displays a list of tags assigned to files exchanged in this chat,
• SAVED MESSAGES: contains a list of saved messages for this chat,
• NOTIFICATIONS: if you turn off notifications, you will no longer be notified of new messages in this chat,
• ADD PARTICIPANT: add more people to your group chat,
• EXPIRATION: turn on expiration messages and select the expiration time,
• CLEAR EXPIRED: delete all expired messages from current chat,
• DELETE ALL MESSAGES & FILES: deletes all exchanged data from this chat on your device,
• EXIT CHAT: removes you from the group chat and you will no longer be notified of new messages.

Private chat room details

• CHAT ROOM INFO: displays your conversation’s name and participants, where you can rename the chat room, add or remove participants or change participants roles (explained further in this document),
• CHAT ROOM LINK: copies the link for this chat room, so you can send it to any Biocoded contact and they can join by tapping on the link,
• RESYNC CHAT HISTORY: sends a chat resync message to selected participants, which includes the contents of chat in a selected time period. Recipient can choose to Sync, Reject or View details about chat history being shared,
• ROOM MEDIA: by selecting this option, a media screen will appear displaying exchanged multimedia files and links,
• TAGS: displays a list of tags assigned to files exchanged in this chat,
• SAVED MESSAGES: contains a list of saved messages for this chat,
• MUTE: if enabled, you will no longer be notified of new messages in this chat room for a selected time period,
• EXPIRATION: turn on expiration messages and select the expiration time,
• CLEAR EXPIRED: delete all expired messages from current chat,
• DELETE ALL MESSAGES & FILES: deletes all exchanged data from this chat on your device,
• EXIT ROOM: removes you from the group chat and you will no longer be notified of new messages.

Public chat room details

In addition to all options included for private chat rooms, public chat rooms can also include a PIN that new participants will have to enter to be able to join.

Media

View all exchanged media, attachments and links.

Group profile

View the participants of the group chat or chat room.

Chat room info

If you are the admin of a chat room, you can change what other participants are able to do in this room by changing their roles. If you long tap on a participant's name, you can:

• Make administrator: Make them the administrator of this chat room so they can add and remove participants and also change the participants roles,
• Remove from room: Remove the participant from this room,
• Set as read only: Set them as read-only, which disables their message input and they can only view the messages sent to this room, but not send any themselves,
• Block contact: Block the participant from this room, which disables their ability to join by link, but also disables other admins from adding them back to the chat room.

Some actions are limited if participants are part of your contact group.

Resync chat history

Select the time period of chat contents to sync to selected chat participants. Press "Start resync" to send request.

Message options

Long pressing a message in chat opens the message context menu containing the following options:

• React to the message by selecting an emoji from the list or search for a custom one of your choosing by pressing +,

• Delete - select the messages to delete from your device or delete sent messages for all participants of chat,

• Forward your selected message(s) to to a contact, group chat or chat room,

• Reply to this message and include a citation of it in your message,

• Copy the contents of this message,

• Save the message for this chat and it will appear in saved messages list,

• Info - shows who has received and viewed your sent message.

Chat options

When you open Chats tab, you can long tap to pin a chat to the top of the list by tapping the pin icon on top right.

Each chat can also have indicators for:

• unread messages,
• when sharing your live location,
• when you are mentioned in chat,
• if chat has notifications muted.

Side menu

By selecting your user avatar on the top left part of your main screen, a new window will appear, containing a list of available statuses for your account (if enabled on server). In addition to this, you can set a personalized status message by tapping on the edit button next to your name. Your status will be displayed to your Biocoded contacts. You can also show your Biocoded contact QR code here.

You can also access app settings and lock app screen.

Settings

The settings view is available by pressing the top left menu button and selecting "Settings". You can choose between:

• Account,
• Contacts,
• Privacy,
• Messages,
• Maps,
• Notifications & sounds,
• Unlock & authentication options,
• Advanced,
• Auxilary devices,
• Backup,
• Client guide (access to official online client user guide),
• About.

Privacy

• DELETE ALL MESSAGES AND FILES: delete all messages and files from your device,
• CLEAR CALL HISTORY: will delete all entries in your call history,
• LOG OUT: logs you out from your account on this device, but leaves all data for when you wish to log back in,

Note

To log in again, you will have to enter your account password!

• WIPE DATA: will delete all Biocoded data from your device and deactivate it. To use Biocoded again, you will have to login and re-activate,

Note

To use Biocoded again, you will have to login and re-activate!

• ENABLE BLUETOOTH: if you are sure you are in a safe environment, you can enable Bluetooth to speak hands free,

• PRIVACY LEVEL: you can choose different level of privacy, while all calls, messages and attachments will always be end-to-end encrypted and stored locally in a safe container regardless of your privacy level. You can choose between Custom, Default and Maximum Security,

• AUTO-DELETE PAST CONTENT: delete all messages, files and call logs after the selected amount of time,
• NOTIFICATION PROFILES: select a profile that matches your desired level of privacy (hide the contact name on recieved notifications, enable answering calls or replying to messages from notification center, bluetooth usage).
• ENABLE PUSH TO TALK: enables push to talk microphone option when in chat room call
• SCREENSHOT PROTECTION: taking screenshots in Biocoded is disabled by default. You can choose between "Off", "On" and "Off while screen sharing".
• USE SECURE KEYBOARD: replaces the system keyboard with Biocoded's internal secure keyboard,

Privacy levels

Notification profiles

Account

• EDIT: you can change the name and last name used for your account, edit your user status or change your profile image,
• HOW PEOPLE FIND ME: here you can add or remove aliases for your account, by which contacts can call or add you. To add an alias, tap on and select the alias type. The added alias must be a valid phone number or e-mail address,
• PUBLIC DEVICE IDENTITY: your device’s public identity,
• MY DEVICES: list of all devices that are connected to this Biocoded account and can communicate with account contacts. Here you can also rename and wipe or log out devices,
• WHO CAN CONTACT ME: here you can set who can contact you. If you choose "Contacts only" (which is chosen by default), you will enter private mode. Anyone that is not in your contact list, will have to send you a contact invite. If you accept it, they will be able to communicate with you. If you choose "Everybody", your account will be reachable by anyone that knows your Biocoded ID or any of your other added aliases. After the first exchanged message or call, they will be automatically added to your contact list,
• CHANGE PASSWORD: here you can change the password for your account. The password must be at least eight characters long and a combination of letters and numbers, containing upper and lower-case letters,
• EVENTS: a list of events connected with your account,
• MULTIPLE DEVICES: turn this on if you wish to have multiple devices linked to your account. If you do not turn this on, every time you log in with a new device, the old one will be logged out.
• LOGIN ON ANOTHER DEVICE: generates a QR code you can log in with on a new device. Select "Manual steps" to show data for manual login. Code expires in 5 minutes.

Edit account options

Change password

My devices

Login on another device

Contacts

• REFRESH BIOCODED CONTACTS: synchronize your Biocoded contacts manually with our server,
• BLOCKED CONTACTS: displays blocked contacts and allows unblock,
• CONTACT DISCOVERY: if you enable this option, you will be able to invite Biocoded users from your phone's contacts list,
• REDISCOVER CONTACTS: after enabling contact discovery, you can refresh discovered contacts from your phone's contacts list,
• DISPLAY CONTACT ID: you can choose to show Biocoded IDs next to contact's names in list. You can choose to show them for all contacts, only for external contacts (from different servers) or they can stay hidden (default setting),
• SHOW PROFILE IMAGES: show or hide user's personal profile images. They are shown by default,
• EMERGENCY HISTORY - list of previously received emergency signals,
• EMERGENCY RESPONDER FOR* - list of contacts that I am responding to in case of an emergency,
• MY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: list of contacts that will respond to my emergency signal.

Messages

• SEND READ RECEIPTS: you can choose if you wish to send read receipts for received messages,
• MESSAGE TEXT SIZE: you can set a preferred text size for chats choosing between normal and big text,
• EMOJI MAPPER: if turned on, typed emoticons will transform into emojis in chat.

Notifications & Sounds

• RINGTONE: you can choose a different melody for when receiving a call,
• MESSAGE NOTIFICATION TONE: select the tone that plays when new messages arrive,
• CRITICAL ALERT SOUND: select the tone that plays for critical alerts,
• MICROPHONE BEEP SOUND IN CHAT ROOMS: option to produce a beep sound whenever a participant in chat room call mutes or unmutes their microphone,
• DO NOT DISTURB CONFIGURATION: edit settings for "Do not disturb" mode.

The settings for "Do not disturb" mode will be applied when "Do not disturb" status is selected. You can choose to allow notifications for missed calls or for messages. You can also choose a status to set after scheduled "Do not disturb" mode is turned off.

Unlock & authentication options

Here you can choose another level of protection for your secure communication application. You can select between:

• DISABLED: no additional protection,
• SCREEN LOCK: after the selected period of inactivity, user interface is covered and can be uncovered by entering user's PIN,
• APP LOCK: the application can be locked automatically or manually and unlocked by various safe unlocking mechanisms (PIN or bio-metric unlock with Touch ID or Face ID, Yubikey, safe words).

Multiple mechanisms can be enabled at once. This is the recommended option for enhanced security.

You can lock the app manually by tapping on your avatar on app main screen and selecting "Lock app". You will have to use one of your selected authentication methods to unlock the app and use it again.

Screen lock

To turn on screen lock, you can select the time period of inactivity after which the app's user interface will be covered. Then you enter and re-enter your chosen PIN, which turns on screen lock.

To turn screen lock off, you tap "Disabled" and enter your chosen PIN.

App lock

When you select app lock as your unlock & authentication option, you're presented with all available authentication options:

• PIN: you can unlock your app by selecting a numerical PIN. You can also choose to turn on Biometrics, to use Face ID or Touch ID instead of your selected PIN,

• Safe words: a list of words are generated for you to write down on a piece of paper or to print and store in a safe place. You can enter these words to unlock your app.

• Yubikey: if you have a Yubikey set up, you can enter the device's PIN and then scan it to unlock your app. If you have a Yubikey, but you have not set it's PIN yet, you can download Yubikey manager, where you can generate a certificate for your key and set a PIN (see Yubikey Setup Guide).

Note

If this fails, make sure your generated certificate is valid with Yubikey Manager (see Yubikey Setup Guide).

When you have turned on at least one authentication method, you can select which one to use primarily and how long should the app wait to lock itself. To disable one option, you will need to confirm your choice by authenticating with your primary method.

Note

A maximum retry limit enforces application lockdown upon repeated failed attempts to unlock your device, resolvable only by server administrators.

Advanced

• DIAGNOSTIC TEST: checks your connection to our server, app permissions and bandwidth,
• SECURE SESSION TIMEOUT: choose how long the secure session will be valid,
• SERVER FINGERPRINT: displays the server fingerprint,
• RESET SECURE CHANNELS: resets all secure channels with all your contacts,
• USE BIOCODED PRIVATE PUSH SERVICE: notifications come through our Biocoded secure notification service.
• SEND LOGS TO SERVER: sends your device's diagnostic data to our server,

To check your upload and download speeds press "Run" on DIAGNOSTIC TEST screen. To resolve any permission issues, press on "Resolve".

Auxiliary devices

• Push-to-talk button: View buttons that can be connected by bluetooth and used with Push-to-talk feature enabled in Privacy. Devices can be tested and forgotten by selecting in the menu under .... Push-to-talk is used while in a call - hold the displayed button while you are speaking and let go of it when done.

Backup

Here you can export your Biocoded contents into a backup file to transfer to a new device or import an already created backup file from another device. The file is stored encrypted and protected by a password you set. You can transfer the file via USB or send it through Biocoded via WiFi transfer.

Create backup

Import backup

Maps

In maps settings you can select your primary coordinate type or by choosing offline maps, a list of downloaded map areas appears. These areas will be available in your chat's maps even if you have no internet connection.

You can add a new map by tapping on + icon and zoom in on selected area. When selection is done, tap on checkmark and add a name for your area. New area appears on offline maps list, where you can delete it or suspend it's download (if on a slower network).

Offline mode

When internet connection is lost, Biocoded indicates this by showing a banner. During this time you are unable to send or receive any data from our server.

If App lock with PIN or with Yubikey is turned on, you can turn on Offline mode. Go to Settings, Unlock & authentication options. Press "Manage". Tap the switch next to Offline mode. Confirm with your authentication method. Now if you have no internet connection, you can unlock Biocoded with one of your app lock authentication methods & enter Offline mode. You can now view your chats and files without an internet connection.

Sign out

By selecting your user avatar on the top left part of your main screen, you can sign out from Biocoded by going to Settings, selecting Privacy and then tapping on "Log out".

Emergencies

Users can also trigger and receive emergencies, depending on server settings which can be changed in Biocoded Admin portal. Responders can view past and current emergency signals broadcasted by users. Users need to have a responder set to be able to trigger emergency broadcasts and enabled location app permission.

To start broadcasting an emergency signal, tap on SOS button visible in app or on lock screen.

When SOS button is selected, a new screen appears where your SOS signal broadcast will have to be confirmed by swiping.

You will continue broadcasting if you tap on X and stop broadcasting by swiping in the opposite direction. Swipe to stop emergency is also visible on other screens.

Emergency contacts or responders can view active emergencies by tapping on "Emergency in progess" banner shown on screen.

Past emergencies can be viewed by tapping on Past emergencies banner.

An Emergency overview map will appear showing a list of people who have triggered emergencies. You will also be able to view their emergency location and the video they sent during the emergency.

Do not disturb mode

If you select "Do not disturb" as your status, you will have the option to mute notifications for missed calls or for messages, based on your settings (accessible by tapping or from Settings / Notifications & Sounds/ Do not disturb).

Select the time period for when "Do not disturb" mode will be turned on. You can also save your settings as a template for later use, shown on previous screen. Templates can be activated, edited or deleted later.

When this is turned on, a bar will appear to remind you of your settings. To turn off "Do not disturb" mode, you can click on "Deactivate". Changing your user status will also deactivate "Do not disturb" mode.