Common Silent Key questions
Practical answers for sign-in, profile setup, chat discovery, retention and moderation.
Is signing up different from signing in?
No. Use “Continue with Google” for both. After Google authentication, Silent Key checks Firestore. A new account goes to profile setup; an existing account with an SK-ID goes to chats.
Why did Google Sign-In not open?
The browser may have blocked the authentication popup. Allow popups for the Silent Key domain, confirm third-party sign-in is not blocked by an extension, and try again.
Why does Firebase say the domain is unauthorized?
The production hostname must be listed under Firebase Authentication’s authorized domains. Add the exact Netlify hostname and any custom domain used for sign-in. Front-end code cannot bypass that backend setting.
What is an SK-ID?
It is a generated contact identifier in a format such as SK-ABC123. Other users can search for that ID. It is not a password or encryption key.
Can I change my nickname or picture?
Open Settings to change the nickname. Open the profile-photo page to choose an image. The app validates and compresses the avatar before saving it.
Why is an expired message still on the server?
The expiry timestamp controls when the interface treats the message as expired. Server deletion occurs when the administrative cleanup runs successfully. These events are intentionally described separately.
Why is a chat still visible after all messages are deleted?
The conversation connection is preserved. Its preview and unread counts should be cleared, leaving an empty conversation so participants remain connected.
Can I recover a deleted or expired message?
Silent Key does not offer a restore feature. A recipient may still possess a copy outside the service, but the app does not promise recovery.
Are messages end-to-end encrypted?
No. Silent Key is a moderated Firebase-backed chat service. Use a dedicated audited end-to-end encrypted messenger when that protection is required.
Why did the announcement disappear?
You may have dismissed that exact announcement for the current browser session, the administrator may have disabled it, or Firestore rules may not permit the document read.
How do I report abuse?
Open the relevant message or conversation menu and choose the report option. Add concise context. For problems that prevent app access, use the public contact form.
How do I delete my account?
Follow the account-deletion page and submit a request with enough information to verify the account. Logging out alone does not delete stored records.