Krypton Ø (Krypton zero) is an invite-only, end-to-end encrypted social network for adults who want to share posts, photos and chats only with people they actually know.
The short answer
Post in a place where only people you know can be, and pick who gets each post. In Krypton Ø, everyone you’re connected with is someone who knows you (your Fam), and when you write a post you choose who sees it: all your Fam, only the people you pick, or only you. Posts and photos are end-to-end encrypted, so not even Krypton Ø’s server can see them.
What Krypton Ø does
- You choose who sees each post. All your Fam, a few people you pick, or only you. A post you send to picked people can’t be passed on, and you can turn off passing on for any post.
- Photos and posts are encrypted on your phone. Posts, replies, photos and profiles are encrypted before they leave your device. The server only holds ciphertext.
- No screenshots. Screenshots and screen recordings of the app come out black, and if someone tries, the owner of that screen is told.
- Replies stay private. A reply starts a chat between you and the writer instead of a public comment thread.
- No counts, no visitor logs, no ads. Hearts have no numbers, and nobody can see who looked at your page.
How it differs from Signal, WhatsApp and iMessage
| Signal | iMessage | Krypton Ø | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Way to share with chosen people | Stories, chats | Status, chats | Chats, Shared Albums in Photos | Posts for the people you pick |
| How long shared posts last | Stories: 24 hours | Status: 24 hours | Messages stay | Posts stay (you can delete them) |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | Yes | Messages yes, Shared Albums no | Yes |
| Phone number or Apple ID | Phone number | Phone number | Apple ID, Apple devices only | Neither |
Signal
Signal end-to-end encrypts chats, calls and Stories, and you can choose who sees each Story. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so it’s a good fit for passing moments and less so for posts you want to keep. You need a phone number to sign up.
WhatsApp end-to-end encrypts chats and Status updates, and you can limit who sees your Status. Status updates disappear after 24 hours. You need a phone number, and anyone who has it can message you.
iMessage
iMessage end-to-end encrypts messages between Apple devices, so friends on Android are left out. Shared Albums in Photos, a common way to share photos with a few people, aren’t end-to-end encrypted, even with Advanced Data Protection turned on, according to Apple.
Where Krypton Ø fits, honestly
Krypton Ø is on Google Play for Android now, and the iPhone app is in App Store review. It’s new and small, it’s for adults only (18 and over), and your close friends need to join too, through your invitation. If everyone you want to share with is already in one group chat, that chat may be all you need. Krypton Ø is for when you want posts and photos that stay, shared with exactly the people you choose.
What it costs
Posts, replies, chats and every safety feature are free. KryptonØ+ adds up to 10 photos or videos per post, 5-minute videos, original-quality photos, voice calls with your Fam and more. It’s $49.99 a year or $199 once on the web, or $56.99 a year or $229 once in the app. See KryptonØ+.
FAQ
How do I share posts and photos privately with only close friends?
Use an invite-only network where you choose who gets each post. In Krypton Ø you pick the people for a post, the post and its photos are end-to-end encrypted, and those people can’t pass it on.
Can I share photos with only close friends without them being saved or screenshotted?
Partly. Krypton Ø blocks screenshots and screen recordings of the app. Saving photos and videos to a phone is a KryptonØ+ feature, so a friend who has KryptonØ+ can save a photo you sent them. And nothing stops someone from photographing their screen with another device.
Can my close friends see who else I shared a post with?
No. They see that the post was sent to chosen people, but not who else got it.
Do my close friends need the app?
Yes. They need their own Krypton Ø account, and you bring them in with your invitation link.