Recluse

A messenger that doesn’t know who you are

Recluse sends end-to-end encrypted messages over Tor. There’s no phone number, no e-mail and no account: you add people by sharing a one-time invite.

Recommended for your Windows PC

Recluse for Windows

Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit. Version 0.2.0.

Download for Windows.exe, 106 MB Portable version, no install106 MB

Windows or your browser may warn that the file is unknown, because the installer isn’t code-signed yet. Check the checksum first, then choose More info and Run anyway.

Not on Windows? See all downloads

Recommended for your Android phone

Recluse for Android

Android 8 or newer. Version 0.2.0.

Download.apk, 24 MB

Installing from outside the Play Store

  1. Tap Download. If your browser warns about the file, tap Download anyway.
  2. Open the file from the notification, or from Files, then Downloads.
  3. If Android asks, let your browser install unknown apps: tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, then go back.
  4. Tap Install. If Play Protect warns about an unknown app, tap More details, then Install anyway.

Afterwards you can turn Allow from this source off again.

Check the checksum and signing certificate

Not available yet

Recluse isn’t available on your iPhoneiPadMacLinux PCChromebookdevice yet

Recluse runs on Windows and Android for now. Versions for other devices are planned, but there’s no date yet. You can still get it for another device:

Download for Windows.exe, 106 MB Download for Android.apk, 24 MB

See all downloads

Choose your device

Download Recluse

For Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and Android 8 or newer. Version 0.2.0.

Download for Windows.exe, 106 MB Download for Android.apk, 24 MB

All downloads and install steps

A chat in Recluse on an Android phone. A note says the messages are end-to-end encrypted.

All downloads

Version 0.2.0, released 9 November 2026. Before you install, you can check that your download is genuine.

  • Windows installer

    Installs Recluse for your Windows account, with Start menu and desktop shortcuts. No administrator rights needed. Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit.

    Recluse-Setup-0.2.0-x64.exe106 MB

    Download Checksum

  • Windows portable

    Runs without installing. Keeps its encrypted data in a Recluse Data folder next to the file, so it works from a USB stick.

    Recluse-Portable-0.2.0-x64.exe106 MB

    Download Checksum

  • Android app

    An APK you install yourself, from outside the Play Store. Android 8 or newer.

    recluse-0.2.0-release.apk24 MB

    How to install an APK
    1. Tap Download. If your browser warns about the file, tap Download anyway.
    2. Open the file from the notification, or from Files, then Downloads.
    3. If Android asks, let your browser install unknown apps: tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, then go back.
    4. Tap Install. If Play Protect warns about an unknown app, tap More details, then Install anyway.

    Afterwards you can turn Allow from this source off again.

    Download Checksum

  • iPhone, iPad, Mac and Linux

    Not available yet. Versions for other devices are planned.

How Recluse protects you

  • No phone number or e-mail

    You don’t sign up with anything that identifies you. You connect with someone by sharing a one-time invite link or QR code.

  • End-to-end encrypted, with new keys for every message

    Only you and the person you’re talking to can read your messages. The keys change with every message, so one stolen key can’t unlock the rest of a conversation.

  • Tor only

    Recluse connects through the Tor network and nothing else. Your internet provider can see that you use Tor, but not who you talk to.

  • A relay that can’t read your messages

    Messages wait on a relay until they’re collected. It only ever holds locked envelopes: it never learns your IP address, your name or who your contacts are.

What it can’t protect against

  • Spyware on your device

    If your phone or PC is infected, the spyware can read messages on your screen after they’re decrypted. Keep your device updated and only install apps you trust.

  • Someone with your unlocked phone

    Anyone holding your phone or PC while Recluse is unlocked can read your chats. Lock Recluse when you put it down, and use a strong passphrase.

  • A contact who shares your messages

    Recluse blocks screenshots, but a contact can still photograph their screen or repeat what you said. Encryption can’t make someone trustworthy.

  • Bugs that haven’t been found yet

    Recluse uses well-known, audited encryption libraries, but Recluse itself hasn’t had an independent security audit yet. Treat it as new software.

  • Someone watching most of the internet

    An observer who can watch large parts of the Tor network at once may be able to match up the timing of traffic. Tor can’t fully prevent that.