TAKGRID — Included Service
ATAK XMPP Server
Every TAKGRID dedicated server ships with a fully configured XMPP chat server — real-time messaging, group rooms, and file sharing, all integrated with your existing TAK users and credentials.
What is XMPP Chat
TAKChat — a proper messaging layer for ATAK
XMPP is an open messaging protocol that has been the backbone of real-time chat for decades — used in everything from enterprise platforms to field communications. TAKChat is an ATAK plugin that connects ATAK directly to an XMPP server, adding a full-featured messaging layer inside the app your team is already using.
Once TAKChat is configured with your server address, your team gets persistent group rooms, direct messages, shared contacts, and file transfers — all without leaving ATAK.
XMPP Features
01
Real-Time Messaging
Direct messages and group chats with no perceptible delay. Your whole team in one place, alongside your TAK operations — not in a separate app.
02
Group Rooms
Dedicated chat rooms provisioned for your teams automatically. Coordinate by group, unit, or channel — however your operation is structured.
03
File Sharing
Send images, documents, and attachments directly inside chat. Files are hosted on your own server and expire after 7 days — nothing touches third-party storage.
04
Shared Contact List
Your server's user roster is automatically available as your contact list in chat. Add a user to your TAK server and they appear in chat immediately — no separate directory to manage.
Under the Hood
Built on Prosody — extended for TAK
The chat service runs on Prosody — a proven, lightweight XMPP server trusted by teams worldwide. We run a current stable release and extend it with custom modules written specifically for TAK operations.
One of those modules handles display names in a way that matters for operational teams: type /nickname [name] in any group room to change your display name — immediately, for everyone in the room. Its main purpose is identity clarity: when multiple devices or operators share a single set of login credentials, each person can set their own name so the rest of the team knows exactly who they're talking to. Each device is tracked independently, so names don't collide. No admin required, no reconnect needed.
Authentication is handled through the same user directory as your TAK server. Your users, groups, and permissions are reflected in chat automatically — including which rooms each team has access to. Every connection is encrypted using your server's own certificate authority, the same one your ATAK clients already trust.
Security Model
The XMPP server does not use any third-party certificates or external authentication. It trusts exactly one certificate authority: the one baked into your TAK server during provisioning. The same CA your ATAK devices use for mutual TLS.
All connections are encrypted in transit. Account registration is disabled — only users you create in the dashboard can connect. Message history and uploaded files never leave your server.
In short: chat is as locked down as your TAK server, because it runs on the same infrastructure and trusts the same identity chain.
Questions
Common Questions
What client do I use to connect?
TAKChat is the recommended client for ATAK users — it connects to your XMPP server once configured with your server address. Any standard XMPP client works too, including Conversations (Android), Monal (iOS), or Gajim (desktop).
Do I need a separate account for chat?
No. Your chat credentials are the same as your TAK server login. If you're already on the server, you're already in chat. There's nothing extra to set up.
Is chat history saved?
Yes. Message history is retained for 7 days so you can catch up on conversations you missed. History is stored on your own server — not on any third-party service.
Is the /nickname command available in group chats?
Yes. Type /nickname followed by a name in any group room and your display name updates instantly for everyone in that room. If the name isn't taken, you'll see a confirmation. It sticks across sessions.
Is this available on the Scout plan?
No. The XMPP chat service is available on dedicated server plans only.
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