Introduction — Why Arattai matters in 2025

In 2025, there’s a new buzzword echoing across India’s tech space Arattai. Built by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s most respected SaaS companies, Arattai is turning heads as a homegrown alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram. With its Android TV app, personal “Pocket” storage, and local data hosting, this messenger is gaining massive traction among privacy-conscious users and desi tech lovers.

If you’ve ever searched for “best Indian messaging app,” “WhatsApp alternative made in India,” or “Arattai download for Android TV,” this detailed guide is for you. Let’s explore everything about Arattai — its features, security, installation process, and whether you should make the switch in 2025.

What Is Arattai App?

Arattai (which means “chat” in Tamil) is a free instant messaging platform developed by Zoho Corporation, headquartered in Chennai, India. Originally launched quietly in 2020, the app gained sudden popularity again in 2025 when millions started looking for secure, ad-free, and locally hosted alternatives to global chat apps.

Arattai offers:

• Text, voice, and video chat
• Group chats with up to 1,000 members
• File sharing (up to 1 GB)
• Pocket, a personal cloud chat for notes and files
• Meetings for video conferencing (up to 250 participants)
• Channels for creators and businesses
• Android TV app, a unique first in India

Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, Arattai hosts all Indian user data inside India, which gives it a big edge in privacy and compliance.

Key Features That Make Arattai Stand Out

Let’s dive into the features that are making users switch from WhatsApp and Telegram.

1. Pocket — Your Private Cloud Chat

This feature lets you save notes, links, or media privately within the app — like a personal cloud space. You can access it anytime from any device. Perfect for storing reminders, drafts, or quick thoughts.

2. Arattai Meetings

Integrated video calls allow you to host up to 250 participants. You can schedule meetings, share links, and even record sessions — all within Arattai. Great for remote teams, teachers, and creators.

3. Android TV App — First of Its Kind

Recently, Zoho launched the official Arattai Android TV app (reported by Livemint). That means you can chat or take calls right from your TV — something no other popular messenger like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal currently offers.

4. Channels for Creators & Businesses

Think of it like Telegram channels, but built for India-first users. Brands, influencers, or communities can broadcast updates, news, or promotions directly to followers.

5. Multi-Device & Cross-Platform Support

Arattai runs on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and now Android TV — giving users freedom to access their chats from anywhere.

How to Install Arattai on Android, iPhone, and Android TV

Getting started with Arattai is easy and free.

For Android

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Search for “Arattai”
3. Tap Install
4. Verify your phone number
5. Start chatting instantly

For iPhone

1. Go to App Store
2. Search “Arattai by Zoho Corporation”
3. Download and open the app
4. Enter your number for OTP verification

For Android TV

1. Open Play Store on your TV
2. Search for Arattai
3. Install and log in using your phone (QR verification)

⚠️ Tip: Always download from the official Play Store or App Store to avoid fake or modified APKs.

Privacy and Security: Is Arattai Really Safe?

One of the biggest reasons people are switching to Arattai is its data privacy policy.

Here’s what you should know:

• Calls are fully end-to-end encrypted (E2EE)
• Messages encryption is currently being rolled out gradually
• A “Secret Chat” option lets you send self-destructing, encrypted messages
• No ads, no tracking, no third-party data sharing

Zoho has publicly confirmed that all Indian user data is stored in India, across data centers in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. This means your chats aren’t hosted on foreign servers or cloud giants like AWS or Google Cloud.

Compared to WhatsApp or Telegram, Arattai’s data localization and ad-free model offer a real sense of control for Indian users.

For extra safety, enable “App Lock” in Arattai settings and avoid sideloading versions from unverified sites.

Zoho Privacy Policy – Arattai App

Arattai vs WhatsApp vs Telegram: Feature Comparison

Arattai isn’t perfect yet — but it’s improving fast, and the local hosting + TV app combo makes it a solid Indian alternative worth trying.

How to Import WhatsApp Chats to Arattai

Arattai supports chat import from WhatsApp, which makes migration much easier.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open any chat on WhatsApp
2. Tap ⋮ → More → Export Chat
3. Choose “Without Media” or “Include Media”
4. When prompted, select Arattai as the target app
5. Your exported chat will appear inside Arattai as a conversation

Note: Stickers, group icons, and admin roles may not transfer.

If you’re importing a lot of chats, do it gradually to avoid performance lags.

Who Should Use Arattai?

Arattai isn’t just for personal use. It’s perfect for:

• Students & teachers hosting online classes using Arattai Meetings
• Local businesses sharing offers through Channels
• Families & communities looking for a private Indian chat space
• Creators building direct fan groups
• Professionals who prefer ad-free, clean UI

And since Zoho is known for enterprise-grade tools like Zoho Mail and Zoho CRM, future integrations could make Arattai a serious business communication tool.

Arattai for Businesses and Marketing

Businesses can use Arattai Channels just like Telegram or WhatsApp Broadcast:

• Create a Channel with your brand name
• Share offers, updates, videos, and polls
• Encourage customers to join via QR or link
• Host product demos using Arattai Meetings

For local marketers, this opens a new Made-in-India marketing ecosystem where your customer data never leaves the country.

Internal links:

• Learn more about Digital Marketing for Startups
• Explore AI tools and SEO guides to grow your online business.

Data Hosting: Why “Made in India” Matters

While global apps often face backlash over data leaks or privacy scandals, Zoho’s Arattai takes a different route — full data localization.

All Indian user data is stored within Indian servers, not on foreign clouds. This ensures compliance with India’s data protection laws and builds user trust.

It’s a key reason why many users and businesses are now ditching WhatsApp to join Arattai, as reported by The Times of India.

Pros and Cons of Arattai App

Pros:

• Made in India (data stays local)
• Ad-free, simple interface
• Android TV support
• Private storage via Pocket
• Multi-device access

Cons:

• Message encryption still rolling out
• No business API yet
• Limited global user base (for now)

Should You Switch to Arattai?

If your top priorities are privacy, simplicity, and supporting Indian tech, then yes — Arattai is definitely worth a try.

However, if your work depends heavily on global group chats, WhatsApp backups, or integrations, you may want to use both side-by-side for a while.

Remember, every popular app started small — and Arattai seems to be growing rapidly thanks to Zoho’s reputation for reliability.

Final Thoughts

The rise of Arattai represents more than just another chat app. It’s a step toward digital independence, data protection, and Made-in-India innovation.

As Zoho continues to enhance encryption and add new features, Arattai could soon become India’s answer to WhatsApp — but with stronger privacy values.

So go ahead, download Arattai, explore its features, and decide for yourself whether it fits your digital lifestyle.

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FAQs

1. Is Arattai app safe to use?
Yes. Calls are fully encrypted and messages are being upgraded to full end-to-end encryption soon.

2. Can I import my WhatsApp chats to Arattai?
Yes. Use WhatsApp’s “Export Chat” feature and choose Arattai as the destination app.

3. Does Arattai work on Android TV?
Yes! It’s the only Indian messenger with an official Android TV app.

4. Is Arattai ad-free?
Completely. Zoho has confirmed Arattai does not show ads or sell user data.

5. Who owns Arattai?
Arattai is owned and developed by Zoho Corporation, an Indian tech giant based in Chennai.