If you’ve been any active on social media lately, you must be aware of all the scandal surrounding WhatsApp. This has also brought many new and old messenger apps to light. Sandes is one of such apps. Wondering how Sandes is better than WhatsApp? Read on and find out.
At the beginning of this year, the messenger giant WhatsApp issued a notification asking users to review and accept (or decline) its updated privacy policy update. Since then, it has lost a great number of users and it continues to be so. Many WhatsApp users are moving to other alternative apps. Signal and Telegram have benefited the most from it.
However, they are not the only ones trying to grab the opportunity. Many domestic developers have also tried to seize this opportunity. Talking about India, it has launched its very own messenger app called Sandes. The app is set out to compete with WhatsApp in India. Since WhatsApp has its most monthly-active-users in India, the launch of Sandes is likely to give it another blow.
Read Also: What is WhatsApp’s New Privacy Policy?
Moreover, India as a nation is moving towards supporting its domestic market in the face of global competition. Sandes is not the only Indian substitute for a popular social media app. For example, Koo, an India-based alternative for Twitter is also becoming exceedingly popular. And now there is Sandes. Let’s learn more about this ‘Indian WhatsApp’
What is Sandes App?
Launched on 18th February 2021, Sandes is the Indian government’s very own instant messaging app.
It is an upgrade of India’s existing Government Instant Messaging System better known as GIMS. The app was originally developed to find a WhatsApp-like communication solution for government officials. However, it has now opened its doors to individual users as well. So, both government officials and individual users can use it.
However, the app is currently available only for iOS users. Its Android version is still in the testing phase. But it is expected to be available soon for Android users as well.
Below are a few things to know about Sandes:
What does ‘Sandes’ mean?
It is interesting to know how this app is named. The word ‘Sandes’ is a literal Hindi term for the English word ‘message’
Who developed Sandes?
The state-run National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed this app. It comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This has been another Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What are some key features of Sandes
Sandes mainly takes after the popular messaging app WhatsApp. Upon opening the app, you will find that its interface is quite similar to that of WhatsApp. It also greatly takes after WhatsApp in the terms of functionality as well.
Below are some of the key features that Sandes shares with other messaging:
- Sandes users can send text messages and share media files like images, audio, video, etc.
- It also allows contact sharing, message tagging, broadcast messages, phonebook synchronization, etc.
- Users can also create groups.
- It also allows some design and styling customization.
- The messages on Sandes are end-to-end encrypted.
- It also offers the chat history backup and restore option.
Are you an Indian WhatsApp user looking for an alternative? What is better than going for a domestic solution!
How Sandes is better than WhatsApp
➠ Login with email
A major reason why Sandes stands out from WhatsApp is that it allows users to log in through their emails. While in the case of the latter, your phone number is a must in order to create and run a WhatsApp account.
➠ Verified Accounts
This is another feature that makes it better than WhatsApp. In Sandes, you can spot the verified accounts (it is something similar to verified Twitter/Instagram accounts). This lets you ensure that you are interacting with the right person. There is no way to identify verified accounts in WhatsApp. Hence, it enables a safer user experience.
➠ Share larger files
WhatsApp allows sharing regular files of size up to 100 MB and videos of size only up to 16 MB. On the other hand, Sandes lets its users send videos and images up to the size of 500 MB.
➠ Store backup on external location
WhatsApp allows storing chat backup only on Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iOS. On the other hand, you can back up your Sandes chat even on external devices. Moreover, you can also save chats via emails.
➠ Check your city’s weather
One fascinating feature of this app is that it allows you to check your city’s weather in detail. This isn’t a feature that you find in any other popular messaging apps.
➠ Add labels to messages
Another interesting and very useful Sandes feature is that it allows users to add priority or confidential labels to messages. This is another feature that makes it stand out from other messaging apps like WhatsApp.
➠ A state-run application
Unlike Facebook-owned WhatsApp, Sandes is not developed by a private entity but by the state-run National Informatics Centre. This is what makes it a more reliable option.
➠ An Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative
Sandes is developed in India as a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By replacing WhatsApp with Sandes, you will be supporting the domestic market of India while enjoying a great messaging experience. So, it’s a win-win.
Wrapping Up
Sandes is a messaging app newly launched by NIC India. However, it is rather an upgrade of GIMS which was originally only meant for Indian government officials but is now opening its door to individual users as well. Sandes is set out to replace WhatsApp in India and in many ways, its features surpass those of WhatsApp. The app is currently only available for iOS users. However, the app will release its Android version soon. Being an Indian, it is worth giving this amazing app a shot!
Hey there, you have reached the bottom of this article. What do you think about Sandes? Don’t forget to tell us in the comments.
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