Rakuten Viber Messenger stands out in the crowded messaging space by combining end-to-end encryption on all communications with feature-rich functionality that bridges casual users and businesses. Since its 2025 policy updates emphasizing user privacy and security, Viber has reinforced its position as a transparent alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram. This guide explores Viber’s practical setup, cross-platform capabilities, integrations, competitive positioning, and accessibility features to help you determine if it’s the right messaging app for your communication needs.
How to Get Started with Rakuten Viber Messenger
Setting up Rakuten Viber takes approximately 3-5 minutes and requires only your phone number for verification. The onboarding experience is streamlined across Android and iOS, with clear prompts and minimal required permissions at initial setup.
- Download and Install – Obtain Rakuten Viber from Google Play Store (v26.7.1.0, 134.7 MB) or Apple App Store (v26.2.0+, 329.9 MB) and grant necessary permissions for contacts, camera, and microphone
- Verify Your Phone Number – Enter your phone number and confirm the SMS code Viber sends within 60 seconds to activate your account and sync contacts automatically
- Create Your Profile – Upload a profile picture, set your display name, and optionally add a status message that appears in your contact card
- Enable End-to-End Encryption – Verify all your chats show the grey padlock icon (basic encryption) or green lock (verified contact) by reviewing chat security settings in each conversation
Who Should Use Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber appeals to international users seeking privacy-first communication, family groups spanning multiple countries, small business owners managing customer contact, and community organizers running engagement channels with up to 250-member group support.
- International Users – Anyone calling family or colleagues abroad benefits from Viber Out’s competitive rates (starting 1.2¢/minute USD to popular destinations) and unlimited plans ($9.99/month for 60 countries)
- Privacy-Conscious Communicators – Users prioritizing data protection gain automatic end-to-end encryption, hidden chats with PIN protection, disappearing messages (10 seconds to 1 day), and 2025’s clarified AI policy ensuring personal communications don’t train models
- Community & Content Creators – Viber Communities (public or invite-only) with unlimited members, custom admin permissions, scheduled messages, emoji reactions, and anti-spam bot integration serve group discussion and broadcast needs
- NOT ideal for – Users requiring seamless Telegram or WhatsApp bridge features, Linux desktop users (no native app), or those in regions without local Viber server infrastructure
Rakuten Viber Messenger Platform Compatibility
Viber maintains near-universal platform support from older Android devices through cutting-edge iOS hardware, with synchronized messaging across all endpoints—ensure your device meets minimum version requirements for full feature access.
| Platform |
Min. Version |
Unique Features |
Limitations |
| Android |
Android 5.0+ (Lollipop) |
Dark mode on AMOLED screens, background efficiency, custom themes, Google Assistant voice commands via Viber Voice |
Android 4.4 and below unsupported; occasional stability issues reported in Pie/10 on some device brands |
| iOS |
iOS 15.2+ |
FaceTime-quality HD video calls, iCloud backup integration, iPhone dual SIM support, Siri Shortcuts for quick calls |
iOS 15.1 and earlier cannot access latest 2025 AI link summary feature; older devices limited to 720p video |
| Web |
Chrome, Firefox, Safari (latest) |
Full chat history access, desktop file transfers up to 200MB, browser-based calling (audio only), QR code login |
Video calls unavailable; push notifications depend on browser settings; sync lag if mobile app updates faster |
| Desktop (Windows/Mac) |
Windows 7+, macOS 10.13+ |
Multi-window support, chat folders, native notification badges, auto-launch on startup, Viber Out calling with caller ID |
Older Mac versions may lack full Monterey security features; limited to 1080p desktop video calls |
Rakuten Viber Messenger Integrations & Ecosystem
Viber integrates with third-party business platforms and messaging aggregators, enabling seamless customer communication workflows and unified inbox management without compromising end-to-end encryption for personal chats.
- CRM & Business Messaging – Kommo, Zendesk, and other CRM platforms integrate Viber Business Messaging API (launched 2024) to merge WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber conversations into a single inbox for sales and support teams
- Payment Systems – Native Viber Payments integration (2025 clarified in updated Terms) allows P2P transfers and recurring billing for subscriptions or services within chats, with dispute handling through app stores
- Bot & Automation Platforms – Captain Bot and community moderation bots connect via Viber Bot Platform to auto-filter spam, execute commands, and manage member approvals in large Communities
- Call Center & Outbound API – Dexatel, Route Mobile, and other telecommunications providers use Viber’s Business Calls API (launched Q1 2024) to enable inbound customer calls to landlines directly through Viber
Best Alternatives to Rakuten Viber Messenger
While Viber excels in encryption and international calling, alternatives serve specific use cases—evaluate pricing, regional availability, and feature priorities before committing to another platform long-term.
- WhatsApp – Best for seamless cross-platform adoption with 2B+ users, superior group management (up to 512 members), and community broadcasts; lacks international calling and charges monthly subscription in some regions
- Telegram – Best for channels and public discussions with unlimited members, self-destructing secrets, and minimal data collection; end-to-end encryption requires explicit activation (not default), and voice quality lags Viber in low-bandwidth conditions
- Signal – Best for maximum privacy with metadata minimization, open-source verification, and no ads; smallest ecosystem (~40M active users) makes international calling limited and user base concentration in security-focused demographics
- Discord – Best for gaming communities and real-time teams with low-latency voice channels, screen sharing, and bot ecosystems; focuses on communities over 1-to-1 messaging and lacks disappearing messages for chats
Rakuten Viber Messenger vs Top Competitors
Viber differentiates through encrypted international calling, granular privacy controls, and business transparency—its pricing model and privacy stance appeal to users exhausted by data-harvesting competitors and seeking affordable global connectivity.
| Feature |
Rakuten Viber |
WhatsApp |
Telegram |
| Pricing Model |
Free messaging + optional Viber Out ($4.99-$9.99/month plans) |
Free (ad-free since 2024 update) |
Free forever with optional Telegram Premium ($4.99/month for 2TB storage) |
| Default Encryption |
End-to-end on all messages (MTProto-style protocol per 2025 Terms) |
End-to-end on all messages (Signal Protocol) |
Optional per-chat (Cloud chats NOT encrypted by default) |
| Group Chat Limit |
Up to 250 members standard; unlimited in Communities feature |
Up to 512 members per group |
Unlimited members per public channel; 200K+ in supergroupd |
| International Calling |
Viber Out: 1.2¢-5¢/min to 60+ countries; World Unlimited $9.99/month |
WhatsApp Calls (WiFi/data only, no international PSTN) |
Telegram Calls (WiFi/data only, no PSTN calling) |
| Public Communities |
Viber Communities (unlimited members, custom permissions, polls, live streams to 1000 viewers) |
Channels (broadcast-only, read-only for members) |
Public Channels (unlimited size, member interactivity, bot integration) |
| Data Harvesting |
2025 policy: AI never trains on private communications; device ID and activity logs retained for ads with opt-out |
Collects device identifiers for ads; Partners with Meta advertising network |
Minimal metadata collection; Cloud chats scanned for Illegal content; premium users get ads-free experience |
| Business Messaging API |
Viber Business Messaging (transactional, promotional, session-based; Fair Usage Policy: 10K msgs/month for <50 employees) |
WhatsApp Business API (pricing starts €3-24/month depending on volume) |
Telegram Business (limited to bots, no official SMS-to-Telegram fallback) |
| Disappearing Messages |
Per-message timers: 10 sec, 1 min, 1 hour, 1 day; also see Hidden Chats (PIN-protected, no notifications) |
Chat-wide setting: 24 hours to 90 days (uniform timing) |
Self-destruct: 0-1 month per message; Secret chats only (1-to-1) |
Rakuten Viber Messenger Privacy & Security Overview
Viber’s 2025 policy updates reinforce its privacy-forward stance: all messages and calls are encrypted end-to-end by default, AI doesn’t train on personal communications, and users control data sharing with business accounts requiring explicit consent for location or activity logs.
| Security Aspect |
Implementation |
User Control |
| Data Encryption |
End-to-end encryption (proprietary protocol) on messages, calls, video, photos in 1-to-1 and group chats across all platforms |
Always-on by default; users see grey lock (encrypted) or green lock (verified contact); no option to disable for chats |
| Authentication |
SMS verification at signup; biometric unlock (Face ID/Touch ID on iOS, fingerprint on Android); optional PIN for Hidden Chats |
Biometric can be toggled in Settings > Privacy; Hidden Chats require 4-digit PIN on Android, biometric on iOS (user choice) |
| Data Collection |
Collects: phone number (signup only), device ID (for ads), contacts (synced for discovery), GPS location (optional for sharing); activity logs track message counts and features used |
Users can opt-out of ad personalization in Settings > Ads; location sharing is per-message (never automatic); contacts can be cleared post-sync |
| Third-Party Sharing |
Viber shares with trusted partners (payment providers, business API integrators, ad networks); Business Account chats are end-to-end encrypted as of Nov 2024 update; no sale to third parties for profit |
Users control payment method data via app store billing; dating service privacy (new in 2025) managed separately from main account with explicit profile sharing consent |
Rakuten Viber Messenger Accessibility Features
Viber meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards across iOS and Android, supporting blind and low-vision users with screen reader compatibility, configurable text sizing, and high-contrast dark mode—multilingual support spans 45+ languages with RTL (right-to-left) for Arabic and Hebrew.
- Screen Reader Support – VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android) fully functional; all UI elements labeled; chat history readable character-by-character or line-by-line; voice message transcription available (beta in 2025)
- Visual Accessibility – Font scaling from 100%-200%, Dark Mode with high-contrast toggle, 1.4:1+ color contrast on buttons, support for colorblind-safe color palettes (deuteranopia, protanopia modes in Settings)
- Motor Accessibility – Gesture alternatives available (long-press for context menus, optional toggle-switches); voice command support via Viber Voice feature on Android (Google Assistant integration); minimum touch target size 44×44 px
- Language Support – 45+ languages including Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Ukrainian; RTL support for Arabic, Hebrew, Persian; multilingual chat auto-translation introduced mid-2025 (requires opt-in)
Power User Tips for Rakuten Viber Messenger
Advanced Viber users unlock productivity through keyboard shortcuts, bulk contact management, desktop-only features like chat folders, and business-grade bot automation—these five tactics accelerate communication workflows and reduce notification fatigue.
- Pin 100 Messages per Chat – Use Desktop app (Windows/Mac) to pin up to 100 key messages in a single chat thread; access pinned messages via folder icon—ideal for long-running projects or documentation
- Scheduled Messages – Draft a message, hold the send button, choose a future time, and Viber sends automatically—perfect for timezone-aware reminders or coordinated team announcements (available on mobile and desktop)
- Community Moderation with Custom Permissions – Create multiple moderators with granular rights (post, delete, ban, approve members, manage admins) rather than sharing a single admin account—prevents accidental deletions and enables role-based delegation
- Viber Out Auto-Renewal Management – Enable auto-top-up for World Credit to prevent call drops mid-conversation; review billing through app store account (not Viber directly) to modify or cancel subscriptions instantly
- Bulk Contact Deletion & Chat Archiving – Long-press multiple chats on mobile to mute, delete, or archive in bulk; prevents clutter when onboarding teams—archived chats reappear if new messages arrive
Rakuten Viber Messenger Support & Community
Viber maintains transparent support channels across help center, social media, and direct email—response times average 24-48 hours for account issues, with active Reddit communities and YouTube channels hosting user tips and troubleshooting.
- Official Help Center – help.viber.com provides searchable FAQs, setup guides for all platforms, Viber Out pricing details, and 2025 policy updates; covers encryption, Hidden Chats, Communities, Business Messaging
- Community Forum & Reddit – r/viber (unofficial, 12K+ members) and Viber Community on official site for peer support, feature requests, and user tips; some responses from Viber staff (@ViberMedia on posts)
- Social Media – @ViberMedia on Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok for announcements; Facebook Page updates about outages and new features; LinkedIn posts about business product launches
- Direct Support – In-app Help button (Settings > Help & Feedback) sends diagnostics to Viber support; response time 24-48 hours for non-critical issues; premium business accounts get priority support via dedicated manager
Rakuten Viber Messenger Latest Updates & Roadmap
Viber’s December 2025 update (v26.7.1.0 Android, v26.2.0+ iOS) introduced AI link summaries—users paste article URLs into chats and receive instant summaries without leaving conversations. The roadmap hints at Web3 integration (blockchain verification), expanded AR lenses, and energy-efficient calling modes for eco-conscious users. Notable 2025 policy clarifications include mandatory age 13+ minimum, AI transparency guarantees preventing private chat training, and business account Fair Usage limits (10K messages/month for <50 employees). Viber Communities gained emoji reaction freedom (unlimited custom emojis vs. seven defaults), admin-approved member posting for paid communities, and AI moderation assistant beta (auto-detects toxic language and spam). Future versions expected Q1 2026 will include voice message auto-transcription for all languages, multi-device synchronized disappearing message timers, and business-focused call recording with legal compliance for compliance-heavy industries.
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