Hike Messenger (stylized as hike messenger) is an Indian proprietary,cross-

platform instant messaging service for smartphones that uses theinternet for

communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other graphical

stickers, emoticons, images, videos, audios, files, voice messages, contacts and

location.

Hike was created by Atul Singh in December 2012 and was acquired by Bharti SoftBank

in April 2013.[6]

History[edit]

Hike was launched globally on December 12, 2012 by Atul Singh in India. Post launch,

the application garnered success, reaching 5 million users within four months. The

service was acquired in April 2013 by Bharti SoftBank, a joint venture organization

between Bharti Airtel and SoftBank Japan, who invested $7 million in the development

of the application.

Hike attained 15 million users in February 2014 and raised $14 million for its

development.[6] Over the next few months, the application introduced free text

messaging anywhere in India, chat themes, updated stickers, hidden chats and

revamped user interface.

Apart from basic social messaging means like photos, videos and audio files, Hike

allows users to "nudge", a feature used to ping the receiver. In addition to that, the

application supports chat themes, graphical stickers, PDF files and Microsoft

Office files, and allows users to hide an individual chat or group for extended privacy.

Privacy[edit]

Hike uses a 128-bit SSL encrypted, firewalled server for the exchange of media and text

messages. Messages are stored locally in the user's device and the data is not backed-

up to Hike's server

Messaging app Hike Messenger has reached 20 million registered users, just in 18

months from the launch. Company said that Hike Messenger crossed 15 million users in

February, and added 5 million users in just past three months. Hike Messenger was

launched globally in December 2012 by Bharti Softbank. Application added its first 5

million users in nine months. Hike Messenger had received $14 million in funding from

Bharti Softbank in April this year, after an initial $7 million last year. According to the

company around 90% of the Hike’s users are from India and over 80% of its users are

under the age of 25.

Kavin Bharti Mittal, Head, Product and Strategy, Hike Messenger, said. “We will

continue to focus heavily on introducing new and innovative features to bridge the

existing gaps in the IM market in India. We’re building these new features. Basis the

feedback of our beta-users called the hike ninjas. This approach is working really well

for us and going forward we expect it to help us grow even faster”.

To celebrate this, Hike Messenger introduced a new feature called Hidden mode, which

essentially keeps your chats private and unless one has the password he or she won’t

be able to access them. It also has new features like ‘Big File Transfer’ which enable

users to send files up to 100MB in size each.

Hike Messenger is currently available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, BB10, Windows

Phone, S40, S60, Nokia X platforms.

Key Features

Stickers: - Send amazing stickers to friends and express yourself in a whole different

way.

Send Anything & Everything: - Send all kinds of non media files and documents like

PDF, ZIP, Doc, PPT, APK and much more.

Hike Offline: - Send messages to friends even when they are offline as an SMS, at

no cost. When they will reply you will get message in hike.

Bigger Attachments: - Send large files and videos of 100MB each.

Chat Themes: - Each user has background. Hike offer 2-way themes, when you

change the chat theme, it changes for your friend too.

Free Hike2SMS To India: - Send free SMS to friends in India.

Privacy: - Hike offers privacy feature, if you don’t want them to be seeing your last-

seen and status update then simply change your privacy settings.

Hidden Mode: - A New Features introduced by Hike which allows you to hide the

chats that you want to keep private from the world and access them only with a

password.

features

Hike Offline

Because no internet, is no problem.

Data packs don't last forever neither does the pocket-money. Yes, we've all

faced the times when our smart phones lose all their charm without the data

packs. But not Hike. With the hike-offline feature, chat with your friends even

when they're offline. They'll all agree you've hiked up your life.

Even More ❯

Last Seen

Because social life, is private.

Not everyone needs to know when you’re online. Avoid the sneaky stalkers

and nosy acquaintances not just in life, but on Hike too. Get complete control

on the Last seen, Online status and Status Update settings, so that you

choose who knows how much. So find your privacy and Hike up your Life.

Even More ❯

Stickers

Because stickers speak louder than words.

Why say you’re angry when you can show it? With the new stickers on Hike,

never run out of words. From bollywood to hollywood, from love to drama

from friendliness to indifference, express every emotion. So go on, say

everything you want to say, without saying a word. How’s that to Hike up

your life?

Even More ❯

Chat Themes

Because we’re in the mood.

What’s a romantic date without a candle-light dinner? Boring. Some things

are best said in the right setting. So how’s this for ambience? With the

exclusive 2-way chat themes, set the mood to pour your heart out. Find this

feature exclusively on Hike, because we are in the mood to Hike up your life.

Even More ❯

Hidden Mode

Because we're not what we look like.

What's that? A dirty joke? A secret sweetheart? Ooh, late night plans! Hey,

we're not judging. But your mom and dad might. But, with the Hidden mode,

you can show them the side of you that they like best. Hide all those texts

that your parents or teachers or stalkers must absolutely not know about!

Even More ❯

Attachments

Because e-mail is for business.

What! The professor gave you all the notes in a PDF? Is that a 3 hour long

video of the best concert you ever attended? Time to share it with your

friends. Before you log on to your e-mail, write a subject, blah blah, get on

Hike. Now transfer upto 100MB of PDFs, Docs, MP3s, and more only on Hike.

Even More ❯

Double Tick R

Because, we've ticked all boxes.

You sent that text an hour ago. And now you wonder if they've read it. Are

they ignoring you? No no. They must be busy. What if they're just not

interested? Well, here's a way to find out. With the Double Tick R feature,

know exactly when your messages are read.

Even More ❯

Group Chats

Because we flock together, even when we’re not together.

Why should you limit your group size to 50? Really, who said that you could

have only 50 friends? Create 100 member groups on hike, send any type of

files – PPTs, Docs, ZIPs, up to a 100 MB each. What’s even more fun is the

sticker conversations and nudge wars in group.

Even More ❯

Hike Pins

Too much noise in groups? Pin important messages to the top!

We all know that group chats between close friends can get too noisy at

times. You’re talking movie and someone’s talking a trip to the beach?

You’re sobbing over a how a heartthrob robbed your heart and someone’s

talking above a break-up? Enough! Let’s put context in group chats.