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 messaging capability without needing to use the WhatsApp Web/App profile or activate AnyApp data (Unlimited Plan), and with much less data transferred.
PredictChat is ideal for all customers with PredictMail who have a GO exec and an excellent reason to buy PredictMail if you have not already done so.
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.
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.
Important Note: If your PredictMail account was created before 13 November 2023, you must reset your PredictMail password before using PredictChat. Please 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. To do this, please click here.
PredictChat Setup
Please click to read the setup instructions for your phone:
Important Note: PredictChat will not work if you have an active VPN connection on your device. For iOS, check that the iPhone Settings > VPN status is Not Connected. Tap to disable it if required.
iOS PredictChat Setup
When you open PredictChat, it requests access to your Camera, Microphone, Local Network, Contacts and Photos, and Notifications. Please tap Allow to all these prompts 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 > Local Network.
Enable Local Network for PredictChat.
If you do not see it, please force close PredictChat and reopen it.
After launch, on the main page of PredictChat, tap the Account icon in the top right corner, then tap Account Login on the Account page.
Enter your PredictMail username only. This is the unique part of your PredictMail address, e.g. for johnsmith@predictmail.com the username is: johnsmith
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 phone is connected to the Internet, or a DataHub with your PredictMail account set up and PredictChat enabled in the DataHub.
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.
Start an Instant Chat by entering the recipient's full international phone number, e.g. +155512345678 and tap the > to start a chat conversation.
Alternatively, type a name into the Chat with Contact search bar, select the Contact you wish to message, and then 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 > Apps > PredictChat.
Swipe down and tap Permissions.
Enable all permissions and tap 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. WhatsApp requires permission to Continue and unblock the PredictChat server the first time you message a contact, and every 24hrs thereafter. This is a WhatsApp security requirement we cannot work around.
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 does a send and receive.
Important Note: PredictChat conversations must be initiated by you to the receiver. Friends and family can only message you once you have sent them a PredictChat message to create the conversation. PredictChat will not receive messages from friends to your regular SMS or WhatsApp number contact in their Contacts list.
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: Your phone's PredictChat App will temporarily show offline when you press Save & Apply in the DataHub while PredictMail relaunches on the DataHub. Please allow a minute for it to restart, or force close the App and reopen it.
Well done! Please read the FAQ
Congratulations on setting up your mobile and DataHub with PredictChat. Now, please take a moment to read the PredictChat Frequently Asked Questions. PredictChat does not work like regular SMS or WhatsApp. The FAQ includes important information explaining how the App works so you know what to expect.