Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Mercury.

Is Mercury really free and open source?

Yes! The core engine and client applications are open-source. We believe privacy is a fundamental human right, and our code is available for public audit to prove our security claims.

Can Eillance read my messages?

No. Mercury uses peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture and strong End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). Your messages and file transfers travel directly from your device to your contact's device. We do not store your chat history or contact list on our servers.

What if I lose my phone?

If you lose your device, you can recover your Mercury Identity using the 12-word recovery phrase you wrote down during setup. Note that this only recovers your identity (Mercury ID). To recover your message history and contacts, you must periodically use the Backup and Restore feature to save an encrypted backup file to a secure location (like cloud storage or a computer).

Does Mercury use the internet or just local Wi-Fi?

Mercury uses the internet. We use signaling servers and a DHT (Distributed Hash Table) via libp2p to help your device find your contact's device across the globe. We also seamlessly negotiate TURN relays to tunnel connections securely when direct P2P is blocked by strict firewalls or CGNATs.

Do you support Group Chats?

Not yet. Currently, Mercury focuses on ensuring the highest level of security and reliability for 1-on-1 communication. Group chats are planned for a future release.