How to Create a Chat App like WhatsApp? [2026 Guide]

WhatsApp is the most sought-after messaging application that has revolutionized the messaging app market. Several attempts have been made in vain to clone WhatsApp as a chat app, but none of them yielded the result. Despite introducing similar functionalities, no chat app has ever been able to topple WhatsApp’s supremacy as a chat app.

In order to build a chat app like WhatsApp, one should have a detailed understanding of its functioning mechanism and technicalities.

How is WhatsApp working technically?

WhatsApp uses an Ejabberd (XMPP) server which facilitates instant message transfer between two or many users on a real-time basis. High reliability and sustainability even under peak traffic the reason why WhatsApp developers chose Ejabberd above anything else.

ERLANG is the programming language used to code WhatsApp. Code restructuring and some important changes were made to the Ejabberd server to achieve optimal server performance.

Further Erlang, Whatsapp’s programming language is agile to adapt to instant updates and hotfixes. This is what helps WhatsApp to quickly push the changes to live implementation without requiring restarts.

1. Insights on data transfer in WhatsApp

In the case of multimedia messages, contents (audio, video, or image) are uploaded into a HTTP server and are linked with the content and then sent to the receiving node (receiver) in the form of a thumbnail. Based on the user’s preference the content can either be viewed or discarded.

2. Protocol used by WhatsApp

The primary protocol in use is XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol).DSL ensures network security and also helps in preventing private data transfer.

When a message is sent, it is queued on the server. The message waits in the queue until the recipient reconnects to receive it. As and when a message is delivered, the sender gets notified by a double check mark near the message. After delivery, the messages are instantly deleted from the server’s memory.

This instant deletion from server memory helps WhatsApp keep its resources to a bare minimum.

Additionally, WhatsApp uses HTML5 WebSockets, a communication technology that facilitates two-way communication.

3. Registration process of WhatsApp

Users can register for WhatsApp by entering their mobile number. On entering the number, the user will be sent an OTP, which, once verified by the device, will initiate the user to the chat screen.User can easily create QR code for event using Event QR Code Generator

4. Database management

Mnesia DB handles the heavy-duty task of database management. Mnesia is a multiuser distributed DBMS that also happens to be the default DB of ERLANG. With its support for data connectors,Mnesia helps achieve quicker request responses, thereby improving overall efficiency.

FreeBSD is the OS upon which WhatsApp is built. By improving the ERLANG-based applications and optimizing FreeBSD, WhatsApp is able to achieve better performance. For storing multimedia files, the app uses an exclusive web server, YAWS.

Build a Messaging App Like WhatsApp With MirrorFly AI SDKs!

Having discussed the technicalities of WhatsApp, it is time to shift gears and analyze the possibilities of creating a WhatsApp alternative. There are plenty of secure messaging apps on the market that appear to be perfect WhatsApp clones. The reality is that many of the attempts to build WhatsApp-like apps are failing because they do not follow the technical aspects. Streamlining software testing services is the key to overcome failure and brings a successful app to life.

But what if we buy a third-party API rather than building secure a chat infrastructure from scratch? Won’t that be successful? Without a doubt, yes! With chat API providers like MirrorFly, you can easily build a WhatsApp-like chat app and architecture in the quickest time possible with the features you need. 

MirrorFly is known to be one of the #1 and leading providers of Saas & Self-hosted chat SDKs that developers highly prefer for their quick integration capabilities, high-end messaging features, ultra-low latencies, and high scalability.

Plus, you can build the best customizable chat service for Android, iOS, and web apps without compromising on the security part. MirrorFly’s self-hosted chat SDKs for mobile and web also come as an ideal choice to build white-label messaging system for a one-time license cost.    

Framework & Architecture of MirrorFly

When a user triggers a message, the chat SDK sends a request to the Ejabbered server. In return the server checks for the availability of the recipient and if available, the delivery request is sent to the recipient’s SDK and then delivered. If the recipient is offline, the data is stored in the Ejabbered as the message will be queued in the server.

1. Ejabberd

Ejabberd, the open-source Jabber server has been customized by MirrorFly to improve operational efficiency. The XMPP protocol has also been customized to speed up signing in and re-signing in sessions. To protect the app from DDOS attacks and to prevent account spoofing, this mobile chat app solution has been encrypted with HMAC.

2. Mnesia And MySQL

For data storage, MirrorFly makes use of both Mnesia and MySQL. While Mnesia is used to maintain user login sessions, MySQL contributes to maintaining user details, right from account credentials to other personal data.

3. Cassandra Database

Chat logs are a key for instant messaging applications. In order to save chat history between several nodes, MirrorFly has deployed this database, which offers a good read and write speed, thus helping users retrieve chat logs as and when they need them.

4. Amazon S3 Bucket

Multimedia messages including audio, image, video are saved in the Amazon S3 bucket. Registration for the app usage can be done in multiple ways including mobile number, email, user name password and social login.

5. WebRTC

WebRTC is a source code that is used to build real-time communication (RTC) in browsers and mobile app.

MirrorFly has inbuilt WebRTC that allows its users to have VOIP (voice over the internet protocol) voice/video calls in their messaging app

6. Security

MirrorFly’s chat SDKs let you defend your chat platforms from any type of third-party intrusions, attacks, spam, and unwanted content with stringent security protocols like E2E, AES-256 bit, and TLS/SSL. Furthermore, its APIs are compatible with industry-regulatory standards like HIPAA and GDPR thus protecting user-sensitive data from exposure.

MirrorFly’s Notable Features

Benefits of Using MirrorFly’s Chat SDKs

1. Build Your Own Customizable Chat App:

MirrorFly’s selfhosted messaging solution offers 100% customizable SDKs on 150+ call and chat features so developers can build a highly secure and scalable chat app.

2. Use our Chat APIs to host apps on your premises or cloud:

MirrorFly offers two deployment options for developers to host their chat apps. They can either opt for the ‘Pay-as-you-go’ model that would give them a dedicated space on MirrorFly’s cloud server, or if they wish to host it on their premises, our self-hosted chat solution can be availed of.

3. Our Messaging SDKs are highly compatible to use:

Mirrrorfly’s chat SDKs are highly compatible with Android, iOS, and web platforms, as well as browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. Further, our APIs are highly adaptable to any programming language.

4. In-app messaging features that are industry-best:

MirrorFly’s in-app chat SDKs offer 150+ customizable high-end messaging features like single and group chats, push notifications, online presence indicators, read receipts, and quite a few more for both monthly subscriptions and one-time license costs. These features can be customized as per business requirements.

Conclusion

To summarize, this article covered the complete workflow of WhatsApp architecture and discussed the frameworks and architecture of the MirrorFly messaging SDK. With this guidance, you will be able to build instant messaging for business apps on your own with all the modern features that are available in WhatsApp and more. 

Above this, we make your chat app deployment easier than ever! 

As one of the leading self-hosted chat platforms, MirrorFly gives you the flexibility to deploy your chat apps on your own servers. Sounds interesting? Talk to our team of experts to learn more!

Are You Planning To Build Your Own Whatsapp-like Chat App?

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