
Hike has over 100 million registered users, making it one of the most popular messaging apps in India.
Launched in 2012, Hike has been steadily growing its user base over the years.
The app offers a range of features, including free messaging, stickers, and games, which have contributed to its popularity.
Hike has also partnered with several companies, including Paytm and Freecharge, to offer users additional services and rewards.
Shut Down and Updates
Hike Messenger was shut down on January 6, 2021, by its CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal. He announced the news on Twitter, stating that the app would be sunsetting and that users would be able to download their data.
The shutdown was sudden, and users were given a deadline of January 14 to migrate their data. Hike Messenger was a popular instant messaging platform in India, known for its fun Indian stickers, chat backgrounds, and more.
The app was removed from the Google Playstore and Apple's App Store, and users were no longer able to access it. Despite its popularity, Hike Messenger struggled to compete with other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram.
Here are some of the key updates that were made to Hike Messenger before its shutdown:
- Lighter Than Ever: Hike Messenger was reduced to under 10 MB in size.
- 3 New Sticker Categories: The app introduced new sticker packs, including College, Marathi, and Festivals.
- Quick Upload: Hike Messenger added a feature to quickly upload photos and videos, especially in low network areas.
- Send Uncompressed Images: Users could choose to send uncompressed images, preserving their quality.
- Shared Media: Users could access all shared media in one place.
- Turn Off Notification of Friends Joining hike
- Download Settings: Users could choose when to download media depending on the network and media type.
India's Messaging App Shut Down
Hike Messenger, a popular instant messaging platform in India, has been officially shut down. The app included fun Indian stickers, chat backgrounds, and more.
Kavin Bharti Mittal, the company's CEO, announced the shutdown, and the app has been removed from Google Playstore and Apple's App Store. Mittal tweeted about the shutdown, thanking users for their trust and promising to make their data available for download.
The shutdown was announced on January 6, 2021, and users were given a deadline till January 14 to migrate their data. Hike Messenger was an Indian rival to other instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.
India won't have its own messenger, according to Mittal, due to global network effects being too strong. Unless India bans Western companies, it's hard for a local messenger to compete.
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Latest Update

Hike messenger has been working hard to improve its features and user experience. The latest update, version 2.9.2.0, has made the app lighter and faster, weighing in at under 10 MB in size.
You can now access three new sticker categories, including College, Marathi, and Festivals. This is a great addition for users who want to express themselves with more variety.
The app also features lightning-fast uploading of photos and videos, especially over 2G networks and in low network areas. This means you can share your favorite moments with friends without any hassle.
One of the most exciting features is the ability to send uncompressed images. This ensures that your photos and selfies retain their original quality when shared with friends.
Here's a quick rundown of the new features in version 2.9.2.0:
- Lighter Than Ever: Under 10 MB in size
- 3 New Sticker Categories: College, Marathi, and Festivals
- Quick Upload: Lightning-fast uploading of photos & videos
- Send Uncompressed Images: Share original quality photos and selfies
- Shared Media: Quickly access all media shared centrally
- Turn Off Notification of Friends Joining hike
- Download Settings: Choose when to download media depending on network & media type
With these updates, Hike messenger is becoming more user-friendly and feature-rich.
Features and Interface
Hike messenger has a clean and simple interface that's easy to navigate. The app integrates seamlessly with your phone's contacts, so you can access all your friends and family with just a few taps.
You can initiate group chats by tapping the icon in the top right corner, and send new messages by tapping the '+' icon on the bottom right. The app also supports various audio and video formats, and allows you to upload files up to 6MB each.
One of the standout features of Hike is its hidden chat mode, which allows you to password-protect your private conversations. This is a great way to keep your personal chats secure and out of sight.
The app also offers a range of customization options, including the ability to change your default profile picture to a cute or geometric bubble. You can find these options in the Settings > Account menu.
Hike messenger has a large collection of free stickers, with over 20,000 to choose from. These stickers are available in multiple languages, including regional languages, and can add a fun touch to your conversations.
The app also includes a timeline feature, which allows you to capture and share everyday moments with your friends. You can access this feature by swiping right on the messaging screen.
Growth and Status
Hike was hailed as India's youngest startup to get a unicorn title with a valuation of over 1 billion within just 4 years of launch.
In a short span of time, Hike caught the user's fancy and gained millions of users, 70 million by the end of October 2015.
It was clear that India had enough space and scope for another company to succeed, and Hike did just that, adding millions of users month over month.
Hike's user base was largely comprised of youth below the age of 30, who were drawn to its cool features like free unlimited SMS, in-app news, and personalized stickers store.
Hike added many superior tech features over time, including Hike ID, Hike Wallet, Hike Direct, and Hike Web, which enhanced user experience while keeping user privacy and security intact.
However, despite its rapid growth, Hike couldn't sustain its user base, and its valuation was eventually surpassed by its rival WhatsApp.
Version History
If you're looking to use an older version of the hike messenger app, you're in luck because we've archived multiple APK versions for you to download.
We've got you covered whether you're downgrading or need a specific build, so browse and download the older version that meets your needs.
You can find these archived versions on our website, making it easy to access the hike messenger Old Versions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the owner of Hike Messenger?
Kavin Bharti Mittal is the founder and CEO of Hike Messenger. He is also the founder of the World Economic Forum profile mentioned.
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