What is PredictChat
PredictChat is a free add-on to PredictMail that allows you to send SMS and WhatsApp text and voice messages, pictures and files to your friends and family via the DataHub and PredictMail. PredictChat complements the GO exec, adding SMS and WhatsApp messaging capability without needing to use the WhatsApp Web/App profile, with much lower data transferred.
PredictChat is ideal for all customers with PredictMail who have a GO exec. It is a good reason to buy PredictMail if you haven't already set up an account.
Important Note: Please read the full article and follow the setup steps carefully to ensure PredictChat will work on your phone and via the DataHub.
Getting Started with PredictChat
To get started with PredictChat, you will need:
A PredictMail account. This can be purchased and set up here.
A DataHub with Firmware 3.96 or later. Update your DataHub Firmware here. Important Note: if you do not see your DataHub Wi-Fi to reconnect to after 20 minutes, please power it off and on again.
Reset your PredictMail Password. To do this, please click here.
If your PredictMail account was created before 13 November 2023, you must reset your PredictMail password before using PredictChat. You may use the same password to avoid reconfiguring all your email Apps and the DataHub. The reset process activates your PredictChat account and sets its password to match your PredictMail password.
Direct access to the Internet for your device during setup. After setting up your device and the DataHub, you can select DataHub Wi-Fi to use PredictChat.
Add your account details to the App using your PredictMail username and password. The username should EXCLUDE @predictmail.com. For example, if your email address is john@predictmail.com, ONLY enter john as your username.
You can now use PredictChat to send SMS & WhatsApp messages to your family and friends via their phone numbers. Start a new message with the contact from your phone.
PredictChat Setup
Please click to read the setup instructions for your phone:
iOS PredictChat Setup
When you first open PredictChat, it will request access to your device's Camera, Microphone, Contacts and Photos. It will also request permission to send you notifications. Please tap Allow for all of these, so the App can work as expected.
If you are not asked to allow Local Network, please enable this manually by:
Opening Settings.
Tap Privacy and Security.
Tap Local Network.
Enable Local Network for PredictChat.
If you do not see it, please open the PredictChat App, then force close it and look again.
Tap to enter the username. This is the unique part of your PredictMail address, e.g. for matt@predictmail.com the username is: matt
Your password is the same as your PredictMail password. Tap the eye to check it.
Tap Login.
PredictChat will attempt to connect. If connected, the small dot will be green with the status Connected.
If you cannot connect, please check that your password is correct; you are connected to the Internet or a DataHub, which has your PredictMail account set up with PredictChat enabled.
How to use PredictChat - iPhone
The bottom menu of PredictChat allows you to Start a new chat, view existing chats and access your Contacts.
To initiate a new Chat conversation, tap + New Chat, then tap the blue speech bubble then search and select the contact you wish to message.
Tap the blue speech bubble next to their name.
Please ensure in the Contacts list you have entered the phone number in the full international format e.g. +1-555-624-3555 or 15556243555.
We recommend updating your phone Contacts to a full international number before installing or using PredictChat.
Android - PredictChat Setup
Tap to open PredictChat and Allow all requested permissions upon launch.
If you are not asked to enable permissions upon launch, please exit the App and enable the permissions manually so it can work. It is also a good idea to double-check permissions are ON. To do this, please:
Open Settings.
Tap Apps.
Tap PredictChat.
Swipe down and tap Permissions.
Enable all permissions.
Press the back arrow.
Tap the three horizontal lines hamburger menu to open and show the username and password; tap the username and sip address to edit it.
Tap to enter the username. This is the unique part of your PredictMail address e.g. for matt@predictmail.com the username is: matt
Tick the check mark at the end of the line to save your username.
Tap to enter the password. This is the same as your PredictMail password.
Tick the check mark at the end of the line to save your password.
Tap the back arrow, and PredictChat will attempt to connect. If connected, the small dot will be green with the status Connected.
How to use PredictChat - Android
The top menu of PredictChat allows you to access your Contacts and existing PredictChat Contacts, Add a Contact or Delete a Contact.
The bottom menu also offers access to your phone's Contacts and existing Chat conversations.
To initiate a new Chat conversation, tap on the Contact, then tap the blue speech bubble. Please ensure you have entered the phone number in the full international format e.g. +1-555-624-3555 or 15556243555.
We recommend updating your phone Contacts to a full international number before installing or using PredictChat.
How does PredictChat work?
PredictChat will first attempt to deliver all messages via WhatsApp first. If your recipient is not registered on WhatsApp, it will fall back to SMS.
The recipient will receive a WhatsApp message from the PredictChat phone number +1(209) 379-4286. The message will have the format:
username@chat.predictmail.com says: Your example message
This informs your contact who the message came from and allows their reply to be routed back to you in PredictChat.
Where your device is directly connected to the Internet, it will send directly through the PredictChat servers. Where your device is connected to the DataHub, it will store your chat message on the DataHub PredictMail Outbox as an email to be sent the next time PredictMail sends and receives.
Important Note: PredictChat conversations must be initiated by you to the receiver. Friends and family cannot message you until you have first sent them a PredictChat message to create the conversation. PredictChat will not receive messages sent to your regular SMS or WhatsApp.
DataHub Setup
To send PredictChat messages via the Iridium GO exec.
To use PredictChat with DataHub, you will need DataHub firmware 3.96 or above.
Enable PredictMail in the DataHub with your account details.
Ensure the PredictChat checkbox is ticked for your PredictMail account. Only users with this checkbox enabled can connect to the DataHub from the PredictChat App.
Click Save & Apply.
Enable the PredictMail Connection Policy: Immediately upon sending/Polling interval, click Save & Apply.
Connect the DataHub to the Internet via Cellular, Wi-Fi or a Satellite device.
Important Note: After setup, you may find that each time PredictChat configuration is updated on the DataHub your connected PredictChat devices will temporarily show as offline, because PredictChat is resetting on the DataHub to use the new configuration.
Well done! Please read the FAQ
Congratulations for setting up your mobile and DataHub with PredictChat. Now, please take a moment to read the PredictChat Frequently Asked Questions. It covers very important information you need to know about the usage and functioning of PredictChat.