Element Classic

New Vector Limited

About this app

Element Classic is the previous-generation of Element mobile app. Friends, family and communities should use the free and open source Element X app which is faster, easier to use, and more powerful. New users of public sector organisations, enterprises and professional teams users should use the Element Pro app that is built for work and organisations. Element Classic is available at least until the end of 2025 and will receive critical security updates but no further enhancements or new features.

Ratings and reviews

Absolutely useless. Every time I boot it up on my phone, I'm demanded to "Verify on another device". I can enter a password instead, except it never recognises whatever I've set as password. I can try to reset everything, but this loads forever and doesn't proceed. I can actually access some individual rooms by long pressing the app symbol, which gives me a seemingly random pop-up of rooms that I can open up - and this doesn't require any verification! - but if I try to use it normally, lock.

Riot is an open, secure, and decentralized group communication app. I'd say it's kind of like an open source discord, minus the gamer focus. It's really easy to use while also being secure, as it supports end to end encryption. You can even run your own server and connect to everyone else, it's like email where everyone has their own address and some on different servers. Doesn't use much data and notifications work great. Overall, this is an excellent app and I would recommend.

Currently one of the best communications platforms available, however the UI could use a significant overhaul and I believe that alone may be the main reason why it hasn't won over the masses. Kind of a shame, although unsurprising, and in contrast, I actually prefer a small userbase anyway. Nowhere is safe, but RIOT is more secure than most to those who value privacy.

What’s new

Main changes in this version: support room v12.
Full changelog: https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/releases