Install Iris on Android

Checking for the latest build...

Iris for Android is not on the Play Store yet, so you install it from a file called an APK. Android blocks apps from outside the Play Store by default, so you allow it once for your browser, install Iris, and then switch that setting back off. This takes about 5 minutes.

You need: Android 8 or later. To check, open Settings > About phone and look for "Android version".

The menu names below can differ a little between phone brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo and others). If you cannot find a setting, search for "unknown apps" in your Settings app.

If you already have Iris on your phone #

If you installed Iris on this phone before the alpha (for example, a build someone sent you directly), remove it first, or the new one will not install:

  1. Open Settings, then Apps.
  2. Tap Iris, then Uninstall, and confirm.

Your chats and what Iris remembers are kept on our server with your account, so nothing is lost. You just sign in again after installing. You only do this once: every alpha update after this installs over the top.

Download #

  1. On your phone, open the welcome email from Iris Alpha and tap the Android download link. If the page asks you to sign in, type your email, then the 6-digit code we send you.

    Screenshot: welcome email with the Android download linkScreenshot coming soon

  2. Your browser may warn that this type of file can harm your device. Tap Download anyway. The file is called Iris.apk.

    Screenshot: Chrome's download warning with Download anywayScreenshot coming soon

Allow your browser to install it #

  1. When the download finishes, tap Open (or open your Downloads and tap Iris.apk).

  2. Android says your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source. Tap Settings.

    Screenshot: the "not allowed to install unknown apps" messageScreenshot coming soon

  3. Switch on Allow from this source. Then go back.

    Screenshot: the Allow from this source switchScreenshot coming soon

Install #

  1. Tap Install.

  2. Google Play Protect may say it has not seen this app before. Tap More details, then Install anyway. If it offers to scan the app, you can let it.

    Screenshot: the Play Protect message with Install anywayScreenshot coming soon

  3. When it says "App installed", tap Open.

Sign in #

  1. Type your email and tap Send code. Use the same email you use on your Mac, if you have one.

  2. Type the 6-digit code from the email. There is no password.

  3. Allow notifications when asked. They tell you when Iris has replied, or when a job you sent to your Mac is done.

Switch the setting back off #

You only needed it for this one install. Turning it off keeps your phone safer.

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps. On some phones it is under Settings > Security, or Settings > Apps > the three-dot menu > Special access.

  2. Tap the browser you used (for example Chrome) and switch Allow from this source off.

    Screenshot: Install unknown apps list with Chrome switched offScreenshot coming soon

Iris stays installed. When a new version comes out, you will switch it on again for a moment. See Updating.

What you can do on Android #

  • Chat with Iris: ask questions, ask her to find things out, ask her to write.
  • Send photos and documents, or take a photo.
  • Record a voice note: tap the mic. Iris writes out what you said and replies in the chat.
  • Ask for a Word file, an Excel sheet, slides or a PDF.
  • See what Iris remembers about you, and remove anything.
  • If you have a Mac: send her jobs to do on it, and see if your Mac is awake.

If it doesn't work #

  1. "App not installed" or "There was a problem parsing the package". Delete Iris.apk from your Downloads, download it again, and make sure the download finished before you open it.
  2. You cannot find "Allow from this source". Open Settings, search for "unknown apps", and choose your browser.
  3. Play Protect blocks it with no "Install anyway" option. Write to support@irisforu.com with a screenshot.
  4. The sign-in code does not arrive. Check spam. Wait 30 seconds and ask for a new code. A code works for 10 minutes, and only the newest one works.
  5. The app opens and closes straight away. That is a launch failure, and it counts as a real bug. Report it on the Report a bug page.
  6. Still stuck? Write to support@irisforu.com with your phone model, Android version and a screenshot.