Before You Begin

Do not skip this page.

These are not suggestions. These are the conditions under which the apps work as intended. If you skip a step and something goes wrong, come back here first.

What you need

An Android phone. Iwacu and isoko are Android apps. An iOS version does not exist yet. If you have an iPhone, you can use the web version at the invitation link — you will be able to view a tree but not create or edit one.

Enough storage. The apps are small. Leave at least 100 MB free on your device.

A way to receive an invitation. Someone already on the network must invite you. If you are the first person in your family to set this up, you start by creating a tree and inviting others. There is no sign-up page.

Time to read. The first setup takes about ten minutes if you follow the steps. If you rush, you will miss something.

Update your phone first

Go to your phone's settings. Find System → Software Update (the exact path varies by manufacturer). Install any available updates. Restart your phone.

This is not about these apps. It is about every app, and about your basic security. A phone running old software has known vulnerabilities. An attacker does not need to break your encryption if they can break your operating system.

Enable installation from unknown sources

The apps are distributed as APK files or through F-Droid, not the Google Play Store. You need to allow this.

Do not use a compromised device

If you have reason to believe your phone has been tampered with — spyware, unknown apps you did not install, unusual battery drain — do not install these apps on it. Get a clean device first.

A security tool installed on a compromised device is not a security tool.

A note on your existing phone number and accounts

These apps do not require your phone number. They do not require a Google account, a Facebook account, or any account at all. You will be asked for none of this. If anything asks you to log in with an existing service, you are in the wrong place.