6. User manual for Android devices

Note

To use ginlo, at least Android 5 is required.

Audio Video Telephony works on devices from Android 8.

This section explains each of the menu items and the features found within them.

After launching ginlo on your Android device, you will find yourself in the chat overview. From here you will be taken to the three main menus, which contain other submenus:

6.3. “In chat” menu

When you are in a chat, you will see a bar at the bottom and top of each screen with additional controls. Let’s take a look at them now:

6.3.1. Bar at the bottom

Within a chat the bottom bar has a central meaning. In the middle of this bar is the input field for your messages, to the left of it another submenu “+” as well as emojis and to the right a microphone for voice recordings.

6.3.1.1. Input field

This is the most important part of a messenger - here you use your keyboard to enter the message texts you want to send. You can use all letters, numbers, characters and also emojis of your keyboard.

While you are typing, a symbolized alarm appears on the right above the green arrow. When you tap on it, you will be shown the following optional options for sending your message:

Mark message as important

You can mark special messages as important by tapping on the upper symbol with the exclamation mark. In this case, a red field with an exclamation mark appears above the message for the recipient.

Message self-destruction

You can set messages to be irretrievably deleted from the recipient after being read by the recipient or after a specified time has elapsed.

Tap on the fuse:

Under Countdown you set after how many seconds (maximum 60) after reading the message will be deleted. A new message with the symbolized detonator as well as text and duration appears at the recipient. The recipient must tap and hold the message to read it. The remaining time is counted down and displayed accordingly. After the set time value has elapsed, the message disappears at the recipient’s - but it remains with you.

Under Time you determine when the message should arrive at the recipient. Set the date and the exact time. Until then your message will be stored encrypted on our servers.

Send message delayed

Time-delayed sending of messages is especially practical. You always wanted to be the first birthday greeter? Tap on the stopwatch and enter date and time of the desired date. Technically, the message will already be transmitted to the server, but will only be delivered to the user(s) when the respective time has been reached.

Hint

You can combine all three options - try it out!

Close menu

Tap cross on the far right to close this display.

Hint

Actual sending of your message is always done by tapping the green arrow on the right margin.

6.3.1.2. “+“ left

When you tap this +, a pop-up will open. Select one of the following options (from top to bottom):

6.3.1.2.1. Take photo

Tap take photo* - the camera of your smartphone will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Take a photo. Tap OK to prepare it for sending or repeat to take a perhaps better photo.

You can add more photos, tap the + next to your already selected photo.

Optionally, you can type a text, add an emoji and then send the message.

The following image types are supported:

  • image/apng

  • image/avif

  • image/bmp

  • image/gif

  • image/HEIF

  • image/jpe

  • image/jpeg

  • image/jpg

  • image/png

  • image/x-bmp

  • image/x-ms-bmp

  • image/svg+xml

  • image/tif

  • image/tiff

  • image/webp

6.3.1.2.2. Select image

Tap select image - the local folder with images on your smartphone will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Select a picture and tap on it to prepare it for sending.

You can add more images, tap the + next to your already selected image.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add an emoji and then send the message.

All image types listed in Take photo are supported.

Note the size limit.

6.3.1.2.3. Record video

Tap record video - your smartphone camera will open if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Create a video to prepare it for sending.

You can add more videos, tap the + next to your already selected video.

Note

Note the size limit of currently 100 MiB !

For technical reasons, very large files take a little longer to send and require a stable, high-performance Internet connection and a device that is as modern as possible. They are sent “in the background”. ginlo can still be used as usual.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add an emoji and then send the message.

6.3.1.2.4. Select video from album

Tap select videos from album - the local folder with videos on your smartphone will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Select a video and tap it to prepare it for sending.

You can add more videos, tap the + next to your already selected video.

Optionally, you can enter a text, add an emoji and then send the message.

6.3.1.2.5. Choose file

Tap file - your smartphone’s local file folder will open, if you have allowed ginlo to access it. Select a file and tap on it to prepare it for sending….

Select the desired file by tapping on it to prepare it for sending.

You will be asked if you want to send the file later or immediately. If you tap send, the file will be sent immediately!

Note the size limit.

6.3.1.2.6. Send location

Hint

To use this feature, location services must be enabled on your mobile device in the settings under Privacy. Of course, there must be a SIM card in your device.

You want to meet with friends and have not arranged an exact meeting place - no problem:

Tap on send location - Maps opens and zooms to your location. Tap Send your own location at the bottom of the screen.

Warning

A map with your location will be sent as soon as you tap it!

As an alternative to the default, you have the option to use OpenStreetMaps. You can find out more about this in the advanced settings.

6.3.1.2.7. Send contact

Tap on send contact - a pop-up will open. You have the choice between ginlo contact and address book contact. Tap on the corresponding field and search for the desired contact.

Warning

Record of the selected contact will be sent as soon as you have tapped on it!

Contact sent in this way can be saved locally by the recipient.

6.3.1.3. Emojis

Tap emoji to the left of the input field and make your selection. Emojis can be inserted anywhere in the text.

Alternatively, you can use emojis or stickers from your keyboard.

6.3.1.4. Microphone

If you want to send a voice file, hold down the microphone button on the right at the end of the input line while you speak!

You will see a clock running on the left. When you release the button, the recording will stop.

  • Tap the play button on the left to listen to the recording.

  • Tap on the trash can to delete the recording.

  • Tap the green arrow to send the voice file.

6.3.2. Bar on top

In chat, the chat or group name is displayed in the top bar in the center, as well as a phone handset and a camera icon on the right.

6.3.2.1. Single chat

Hint

For ginlo Business users, editing may be restricted. This depends on the cockpit settings of your administrator.

In the single chat you can see the status of your counterpart under the display name; in case of his inactivity the time of the last usage will be displayed when you call the chat for the first time.

After tapping the display name you will get to the profile of the respective participant. Read further under Manage contacts.

You can mute, block or delete the contact, empty the chat or edit the contact via the pencil in the upper right corner.

ginlo Private users can additionally scan the contact.

6.3.2.1.1. Mute, block and delete

Please refer to the corresponding subsections in the contacts section.

6.3.2.1.2. Empty chat

To permanently delete the chat content, tap empty chat*. A pop-up will ask you to confirm this action. At this point you can also revise your decision - tap cancel.

Alternatively, these and other functions can be used directly from the Chat overview.

6.3.2.1.3. Scan contact (P)

Also for this there already exists a description in contacts section.

6.3.2.2. Group chat

Analogous to the individual chat, some settings can also be made in the group chat.

Depending on whether you are a group administrator or a group member, you have the following options:

6.3.2.2.1. Group administrator

Tap on group name - you will get to manage group page.

As a group administrator you can

6.3.2.2.2. Group member

Tap on group name - you will be taken to group Info page.

As a group member you can

6.3.2.3. Make a call

Tap the phone handset for a phone call or tap the camera for a video call.

You can find a detailed description of this features in the Audio Video Call section under the Making.

You end a call by tapping the red telephone receiver.

6.3.2.4. Left arrow

Tap the arrow in the upper left to return to the chat.

6.3.3. Edit messages

Hint

Note for ginlo Business users

Depending on your administrator’s settings, the following editing options may only be available to a limited extent or not at all!

By short or slightly longer tapping on a message, it can be displayed (opened), answered, forwarded, copied (shared) or deleted. In addition, information about the status of sent messages is displayed.

AVC messages are indicated by a telephone handset and are described in the Audio Video Call section under the item Accept Call.

6.3.3.1. Short tap

By short tapping on a message it can be opened, shared or even saved - depending on the message type:

Message Type

Open

Share

Save

Image, Sticker, Video

X [1]

File

X

X

Location

X [2]

Text

image, sticker, video

When shortly tapping on such a file, it will be displayed in full screen mode.

Tapping the + sign in the upper right corner will take you to your local directory to save the file to a folder of your choice.

At this point we would like to point out the possibility of automatic backup of media.

File

At the bottom of the screen you can open or share the file.

Suitable programs are displayed to open the file.

Sharing a file is possible in various social media channels; suitable programs are displayed.

Note that when sharing, the file will leave the protected area of ginlo and will be transmitted unencrypted.

Location

Locations are displayed by tapping. The display may take a little longer when used for the first time due to the location search.

Text

No action takes place.

6.3.3.2. Longer tap

A longer tap on a message opens a pop-up with icons at the top of the screen with the following options (from left):

Reply - Show information - Delete - Copy - Forward

Message Type

Reply

Info [3]

Delete

Copy

Forward

Image

X

X

X

X

File

X

X

X

X

Location

X

X

X

Sticker

X

X

X

X

Text

X

X

X

X

X

Video

X

X

X

X

Image

All specified options except copying are possible.

The Transmission status can only be displayed for messages sent by you.

The displayed status can be deleted or forwarded per message.

File

All specified options except copy are possible.

The Transmission status can only be displayed for messages sent by you.

The displayed status can be deleted or forwarded per message.

Location

Messages with location can be replied and deleted.

The transmission status can be displayed only for messages sent by you.

The status displayed can be deleted or forwarded per message.

Sticker

All specified options except copying are possible.

The Transmission status can only be displayed for messages sent by you.

The displayed status can be deleted or forwarded per message.

Text

All specified options are possible.

The Transmission status can only be displayed for messages you sent.

The displayed status can be deleted, copied or forwarded per message.

Video

All specified options except copy are possible.

The transmission status can only be displayed for messages you sent.

The displayed status can be deleted or forwarded per message.

6.3.4. Arrow back

Tapping the back arrow at the top left will take you to the chat overview.

6.4. Chat overview

Directly from the chat overview you can edit single and group chats and also channels (only for ginlo Private users).

By longer tapping on a chat a pop-up opens at the bottom of the screen with different options.

6.4.1. Single chat

You can clear the chat, (previously) export its content as a backup, or delete the chat completely.

Follow the further instructions.

6.4.2. Group chat

You can empty the chat, (previously) export its content as a backup or leave the group.

Follow the further instructions.

6.4.3. Channels (P)

You can empty or unsubscribe the chat.

Follow the further instructions.