Chatgram for Android is a direct-download APK, not a Play Store release. This guide covers the real file details, how to allow the install safely, how to verify the checksum and what to do when Android blocks the file.
Check the file before you download
The current Android build is version 1.1.7, package ID app.chatgram.android, and requires Android 7.0 (API 24) or newer. It is a debug-signed build intended for direct installation.
- File: chatgram-android.apk
- Size: 1,589,034 bytes (1.5 MB)
- Download link: download chatgram-android.apk
Download it only from this site or from the Chatgram download page, and never from a message someone sent you. The published file is served over HTTPS from /downloads/.
Download the APK
- On your Android phone, open this page and tap Download APK.
- If your browser asks whether to keep the file, confirm the download.
- Open the notifications shade, or the Downloads app, when the file finishes.
Allow the install from your browser or file manager
Android blocks apps from sources other than the Play Store by default. The first time you open the APK, the system shows a warning and offers a settings link.
- Tap Settings on the warning.
- Switch on Allow from this source (Android 8 and newer) or Install unknown apps for the browser or file manager you used.
- Go back and tap Install.
You can switch the permission off again after installing; it is only needed for this file.
Verify the SHA-256 checksum (optional, recommended)
A checksum proves the file you downloaded is exactly the file that was published. The SHA-256 for this build is:
0e8b5d1d42938883af71c8fb28e25014d958116bb2967126c599f0845ae388a8
On a PC, run Get-FileHash chatgram-android.apk -Algorithm SHA256 in PowerShell or sha256sum chatgram-android.apk on Linux, and compare the result. If the values differ, delete the file and download it again.
Already installed an earlier build?
Early 1.1.0 APKs could crash with “Chatgram keeps stopping” because of a packaging error; 1.1.2 fixed the crash. 1.1.3 adds in-app updates (download, checksum check, tap to install). 1.1.5 adds new-message notifications. Install 1.1.7 over the old app — the signing key is the same, so Android updates it in place and your account is untouched. If the crashing app still opens afterwards, uninstall it once and install 1.1.2 again.
First launch and permissions
Open Chatgram and sign in with the same account you use on Windows or the web. Camera and microphone permissions are requested only when you start a video call, record a voice note or attach a photo, so you can safely decline them until you need those features. Allow notifications if you want message alerts while the app is in the background.
If the install fails
- “App not installed” or a parse error: the download was cut short. Delete the file, free some storage and download it again; check the checksum afterwards.
- Play Protect flags the file: that is expected for a debug-signed build outside the Play Store. Confirm that the file came from this page, then allow the install. Do not disable Play Protect permanently.
- The Install button stays grey: the “Allow from this source” switch is still off for the app that opened the file. Open Settings, find that switch again and retry.
- Old Android version: the app needs Android 7.0 or newer. Update Android or use the web app in Chrome instead.
Chatgram for Android is not on the Play Store yet, so updates are installed by downloading the newest APK from the same download page. Your account and conversations are stored on the server, so installing a newer build keeps everything in place.