India’s appetite for home‑grown technology has never been stronger. When Zoho released Arattai, a deceptively simple messaging app, it quietly promised more than just an Indian alternative to WhatsApp. Beneath its clean interface are tools designed for privacy, productivity and digital sovereignty. Here are ten lesser‑known features that show why the Arattai app is more than just another messenger – and how it stacks up against global competitors.
Pocket – Your Built‑In Personal Cloud
The Arattai app provides unique functionalities that enhance user experience and security.
Instead of texting yourself notes or cluttering a group chat with links, Arattai offers Pocket, a dedicated space to save messages, media and ideas. Think of it as a private cloud that syncs across devices – no separate logins or apps required. WhatsApp users often resort to “starred messages” or a self‑chat, while Telegram relies on a saved messages channel; both lack the cross‑platform file management Pocket provides. Whether you’re archiving photos or jotting down meeting notes, everything stays organised and accessible within the app.
Meetings – Schedule, Host and Record Video Calls
Arattai isn’t just for casual conversation. A built‑in Meetings tab lets you create instant video calls, schedule sessions with calendar invites and even record discussions for later review. It resembles Zoom or Google Meet, yet it’s fully integrated into the messaging experience. WhatsApp and Signal limit video calls to small groups and lack any scheduling or recording features; Telegram requires separate bots or links. With Arattai, business calls and family catch‑ups happen seamlessly without jumping between apps.
Android TV App – Messaging on the Big Screen
Most messengers stop at mobile and desktop, but Arattai goes further with an official Android TV app. You can read messages, join video calls and even send quick replies from your television – perfect for living‑room chats or following a group discussion while cooking. WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram have no native TV support; at best they rely on screen‑mirroring hacks. This makes Arattai uniquely versatile for households where the TV doubles as a communication hub.
Mentions Tab – Never Miss a Tag Again
Group chats can be chaotic, and important mentions often get buried in hundreds of messages. Arattai solves this with a Mentions tab: a Slack‑like view that collects every message where you’re tagged. One tap shows all pending mentions across groups and channels, so you can respond without scrolling. WhatsApp recently introduced reactions and message tagging but still buries mentions in the stream; Telegram’s mention alerts vanish once you’ve opened the chat. Arattai’s dedicated section ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
‘Till I Reach’ Location Sharing
Sending a live location is common, but constantly broadcasting your whereabouts is both battery‑hungry and a privacy risk. Arattai offers Till I Reach, a location‑sharing option that automatically stops tracking once you arrive at your destination. It’s ideal for letting family know you’re on your way without manually turning the feature off. WhatsApp’s live location requires a time limit (15 minutes to 8 hours); Telegram and Signal offer similar timed shares but no arrival‑based cutoff. Arattai adds a safety‑first twist that balances convenience with control.
Channels and Community Broadcasts
Beyond group chats, Arattai includes Channels – one‑to‑many broadcast spaces for creators, businesses and organisations. Channel admins can post updates, videos or announcements to unlimited subscribers. Telegram is famous for its public channels, and WhatsApp recently launched a similar feature. Arattai’s implementation is ad‑free and integrates moderation tools and analytics, making it suitable for local businesses, schools or cultural groups looking for an India‑centric broadcast platform.
Seamless WhatsApp Chat Import
Switching messaging apps is painful when your old conversations stay behind. Arattai softens the blow with a chat import tool that migrates your WhatsApp history (including media) into Arattai. It preserves timestamps and group structures so you don’t lose context. Telegram introduced chat migration in 2021, but Signal still lacks it and WhatsApp obviously doesn’t allow exports to competitors. For users looking to move away from Meta’s ecosystem, Arattai offers a rare bridge to bring their digital memories along.
Secret Chats and Self‑Destructing Messages
While Arattai’s full end‑to‑end encryption for text is still rolling out, it already offers Secret Chats that use an independent encryption key and self‑destruct timers. Messages vanish after a set interval, leaving no trace on either device. WhatsApp has view‑once media and disappearing messages but ties them to a fixed period; Signal and Telegram offer self‑destruct options, but they lack Arattai’s integration into a chat that can seamlessly switch between regular and secret modes. It’s a flexible way to compartmentalise private conversations without leaving the app.
Multi‑Device and Cross‑Platform Support
Arattai supports up to five linked devices across Android, iOS, web, Linux, Windows and macOS – plus the aforementioned Android TV. Chats sync in near real‑time, and you can switch devices without constantly reconnecting your phone. WhatsApp recently introduced multi‑device mode but still limits concurrent sessions and lacks native Linux support; Signal’s desktop app requires your phone to remain online; Telegram handles multi‑device well but offers no TV experience. Arattai’s comprehensive support ensures you stay connected whether you’re at a desk, on the go or lounging on the couch.
Ad‑Free, No Forced AI and Data Localisation
Perhaps the most understated “feature” is what Arattai doesn’t do. The app is completely ad‑free and doesn’t push chat‑bots or AI assistants into your conversations. Zoho has pledged to keep data within Indian data centres, ensuring that user conversations fall under local privacy laws rather than overseas jurisdictions. By contrast, Meta’s WhatsApp has begun experimenting with ads in the Updates tab and integrates Meta AI by default; Telegram funds itself with ads in large channels and a premium tier; Signal remains ad‑free but is funded by donations. Arattai’s stance caters to users who value privacy and a clutter‑free experience.
Looking Ahead
Arattai’s popularity surge in 2025 shows there is appetite for messaging platforms that respect users’ data and adapt to local needs. While the app still has gaps – full text encryption and advanced media features are works in progress – its hidden gems illustrate a thoughtful approach to modern communication. By combining a personal cloud, built‑in meetings, cross‑device versatility and privacy‑first policies, Arattai carves out a space distinct from WhatsApp’s AI‑heavy roadmap, Telegram’s broadcast empire and Signal’s minimalism. For Indians seeking control over their digital conversations, these hidden features might be reason enough to explore what this home‑grown messenger has to offer.
