Releases bring new features; hotfixes are small fixes. Each entry lists the platform versions it shipped in.
Release4.4.0 · 2026-10-02
Calls like a phone, and statuses that mean something
Web 4.4.0Android 4.3.0Windows 4.2.0Linux 4.2.0
- Calls on phones, like FaceTime and Discord: a full-screen call with mute, deafen and hang up; minimize it to a small floating window (with the same three buttons) and keep using Shadewire; tap it to go back.
- Video: the other person fills the screen and your camera sits in a small corner (tap to swap). Leave the Android app during a video call and it shows as picture-in-picture.
- Ringing: a full-screen ringing screen in the app; on Android, calls ring like a phone call on the lock screen, with the caller's name, Answer and Decline.
- Your mic stays off until someone answers or joins (unless you turn it on yourself). Deafen silences everyone for you and mutes your mic.
- Group and Space calls arrange themselves by size (side by side, grid, or the person talking big); pin anyone. People whose role allows it can mute, deafen, move or disconnect others in a Space call. Optional notification when someone starts a Space call.
- Statuses that do something: Do not disturb silences notifications and call rings on every device (open or closed); Focus lets through only direct messages, mentions of you and calls. Set them for 30 minutes, an hour, 8 hours, until tomorrow, or until you turn them off — tap your picture anywhere. Idle is set automatically when you're away.
- Screen sharing works from the Windows and Linux apps and desktop browsers.
Release4.3.2 · 2026-10-01
Notifications everywhere, and home network sites from Windows and Linux
Web 4.3.2Windows 4.2.0Linux 4.2.0Android 4.2.1
- Windows and Linux can reach home network sites. When an admin gives a computer network access, your browser and other apps can use it too: allow it once (one administrator prompt), then it works like a VPN and stays connected when Shadewire is closed. “Only Shadewire” turns it back off.
- Notifications while Shadewire is closed now reach iPhone and iPad (Home Screen app), Safari and Edge as well as Chrome, Firefox and Android.
- A small prompt in Chats offers to turn notifications on for the device you’re using. “Not now” hides it for 30 days.
- Setting up a device: an approved request now has “Set up on this device”, so the app connects itself and no code is needed. Admins can issue a new setup code for a request that got stuck.
- The built-in connection works alongside the NetBird app on the same computer.
Release4.3.1 · 2026-09-30
App lock and Space management
Web 4.3.1
- App lock (optional): a PIN or password before your messages and Spaces show, after the time away you choose. Unlock with your authenticator code if you like; notifications hide the sender and text while locked.
- Space management: create, edit, move and delete channels and categories; roles with colours, ranks and permissions; per-channel permissions; members (roles, nickname, time-out, kick, ban); invite links, the ban list, and the Space itself (name, description, hand it to someone else, delete).
- Fixed: on phones a conversation now stays at the newest message after you send.
- Fixed: “Confirm it’s you” asks accounts with two-step sign-in for their code instead of a password that can’t work.
Release4.3.0 · 2026-09-30
Home network access, chosen by admins
Web 4.3.0Android 4.2.0
- Admins can give a specific person’s device access to the home network sites that only allow private addresses. The person needs nothing else installed; on Android it works straight away.
- The device page shows what an admin gave it (“set by an admin”). Admins can take it away at any time.
Hotfix4.2.1 · 2026-09-30
Steadier Android connection, pictures and videos in chats
Android 4.2.1Web 4.2.1
- Fixed: the Android app’s private-network connection could drop at random.
- Fixed: photos and videos you send now show inline in direct messages and Spaces, not just as a file name.
Release4.2.0 · 2026-09-30
A big round of chat, call and admin improvements
Web 4.2.0
- Read receipts in direct messages and groups, with an on/off setting in privacy.
- @mentions with suggestions; edit, delete and copy a link to a message; profile cards from member lists.
- Create Spaces and upload files right from the app; friendlier voice in Spaces.
- Calls: one call panel instead of two, people’s avatars on the call card, Shadewire’s original sounds are back, screen sharing where your device supports it, call buttons beside the name, and the call timer in the title bar on phones.
- Admins: “Admin” (every permission in one step) and “Super admin” roles; devices show their owner’s name in the network.
Hotfix4.1.1 · 2026-09-30
Desktop fixes
Windows 4.1.1Linux 4.1.1
- Fixed: an error message when closing the desktop app while it was connected to the private network.
- Windows gets the built-in network connection (Network screen) that Linux and Android already had.
Release4.1.0 · 2026-09-29
Calls, and a built-in network connection
Web 4.1.0Android 4.1.0Linux 4.1.0
- Voice and video calls in direct messages and groups: ringing, decline, and call history in the conversation.
- Network: the Android and Linux apps can connect to the private network themselves; no separate network app needed.
Hotfix4.0.1 · 2026-09-29
Device check and invite fixes
Web 4.0.1Windows 4.0.1Linux 4.0.1Android 4.0.1
- Your devices can confirm they’re yours, so you can manage them from Network.
- Admins can create single-use invite codes.
- Fixed (security): an invite code that had already been used could still create accounts.
Release4.0.0 · 2026-09-28
The new Shadewire
Web 4.0.0Windows 4.0.0Linux 4.0.0Android 4.0.0
- A rebuilt Shadewire for the web, the installable app, Windows, Linux and Android: Chats, People, Network and You in one place.
- Notifications on every device, including while Shadewire is closed (where the device allows it), with quiet hours and a privacy option to hide message text.
- Your profile, two-step sign-in, sessions and devices in You; an admin area for requests, devices and the audit trail.
