Beeper On-Device vs Beeper Cloud - What's the difference?
Beeper lets you connect all your chat apps (think WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and more) into one inbox. There are two ways to connect your chat accounts: On-device or Cloud.
On-Device Connection vs Cloud Connection:
An on-device connection means the chat account (like WhatsApp or Messenger) is connected only to the device you’re using to set it up. Whether that’s your phone or your computer.
• Your messages never leave your device.
• No syncing across devices — unless you manually set it up on each one.
• No storage on Beeper servers.
• It’s the most secure and private option available.
Think of it as a direct line between your chat app and your device. No middleman, no copies in the cloud.
This is different from a cloud connection, where the chat account is linked to your Beeper account itself. With a cloud connection, your messages appear on every device where you're logged in to Beeper — including iOS, Android, and desktop. It’s convenient, but your data passes through our servers (securely).
How to Add an On-Device Chat Network Account
To connect a chat app using an on-device connection:
- Open the Beeper app on the device you want to connect.
- Tap Settings.
- Go to Chat Accounts.
- Tap Add an account.
- Choose On-device.
- Select the chat app you want to connect (e.g. WhatsApp, Messenger).
- Follow the on-screen steps to finish setup.
Once connected, the chat will only work on this device.
Should I Use On-Device or Cloud?
This question really boils down to preference. Here's what we recommend:
| Situation | On-Device | Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| You want the most secure setup for your messaging needs | ✅ | ❌ |
| You only use Beeper on one device | ✅ | ✅ |
You want your chats on every device with minimal setup |
❌ | ✅ |
| You prefer keeping chat data tied to a single device | ✅ | ❌ |
You want no data stored on servers |
✅ | ❌ |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
-
Can I switch an on-device connection to a cloud connection later?
- Yes, for some chat apps. You can remove the on-device connection and reconnect it as a cloud connection, but setup steps may vary depending on the app.
-
Can I use both cloud and on-device chat accounts at the same time?
- Yes — some users choose to connect different apps in different ways, depending on their privacy preferences or how many devices they use.
-
Which option is more private?
- Both are secure. However, on-device connections offer an added layer of privacy since nothing is stored on Beeper servers. Messages are only handled by your device and the original chat service. That said, Beeper Cloud is built with strong encryption and privacy in mind.
-
What happens if I log out of my device?
- On-device connections get deleted when you log out of your device. Cloud connections remain on the account even if you log out.
Need help deciding or having trouble connecting? Contact Beeper Support — we’re here to help.