I cannot message someone, or this device has no messages

iSpeak chat is one-to-one and end-to-end encrypted. That brings a few situations that look like errors but are not. This article covers the common ones.

"You cannot message this person"

Each member chooses who may message them under Settings › Chat. The server applies that choice when a conversation starts, so a Message button may be missing or refused:

• The person accepts messages only from members of their schools, and you share none.
• The person accepts no messages at all.
• You or they blocked the other.

The rule is checked both when a conversation starts and when a message is sent, so a thread can go quiet after someone changes their setting. The Message button on a profile follows the same rule and is hidden when a conversation is not allowed.

Check your own setting too. If you set nobody, people cannot write to you.

The message shows Pending

A new member who has never opened iSpeak since the encryption update has no message key yet. Your message is stored sealed for you, and a note under the composer says it will be delivered when they open iSpeak. When they do, it is re-sealed for their key and the label changes from Pending to Delivered. Nothing is lost; there is nothing to resend.

"This device doesn't have your messages yet"

A new phone or a fresh browser has no key, so it cannot open your history. You have three ways forward, in this order.

1. Link this device from a trusted one

• On the new device, press Link this device. Nothing is asked for until you press it, so leaving the screen open does not create a request.
• A 6-digit code and a QR code appear and stay valid for ten minutes. Pressing the button again returns the same code.
• On a device where your messages already work, open Settings › Message security. The waiting device is listed there with its name and when it asked — press Approve.
• Enter the code, or scan the QR with the camera on a phone, and confirm the device name.
• The new device unlocks and both devices appear under Linked devices. You get a New device linked notice.

Press Reject on the waiting device’s banner if you did not ask to link. The code is single-use, expires after 10 minutes and allows five attempts.

2. Restore with your recovery key

If you saved a recovery key earlier, press Use recovery key instead and paste the 24-character key. The device unlocks with your history. A wrong key is refused.

3. Start fresh

If no trusted device exists and there is no recovery key, press Start fresh. New keys are created, chatting continues, and your earlier messages cannot be shown on this device. Your contacts see a one-time "security code changed" line. iSpeak offers this first when none of your devices has been seen for two months.

Blocked contacts

Block a person from the thread menu. Blocking stops their messages, removes the follow in both directions, and prevents new conversations between you. Unblock from the same place. A report sends the reason to the iSpeak team, with the last messages only if you choose to include them.

Other things to check

• Old threads from before encryption are labelled as legacy. They are readable but not encrypted.
• Searching messages works on your device only. A new device shows results for messages it can open.
• Notifications for new messages carry no preview. Open the thread to read it.
• A thread menu offers the security code. Compare it with your contact's to confirm nobody is in between.

Common questions

My friend sees Pending for days. What is wrong? They have not opened iSpeak since the update. Ask them to sign in once on any page; delivery completes on load.

I signed out and back in. Do I need to link again? No. An ordinary sign-out keeps the key. Only Sign out of device in Message security removes it.

Can support restore my messages? No. Nobody at iSpeak holds your key. Use a trusted device or your recovery key.

Why is the Message button missing on someone's profile? Their chat privacy setting does not allow a conversation with you, or one of you blocked the other.