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EchoLink for iOS

What is EchoLink for iOS?

EchoLink for iOS is an edition of the EchoLink software that runs on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you own one of these devices and are a validated EchoLink user, you can access the EchoLink system from nearly anywhere where WiFi networking is available. If you have an iPhone or cellular-capable iPad, you can also use it to access EchoLink over the cellular data network. EchoLink for iOS is available free of charge from Apple's App Store.

What Apple devices will it run on?

EchoLink for iOS runs on any iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad running iOS 10.0 or above. You can also run it on a Mac with an Apple M1 or M2 chip, on macOS 11.0 or above. If are running an older version of iOS, go to Settings->General->Software Update to see if a newer iOS version is available. (Some older devices are not upgradeable to iOS 10.) If you had already installed EchoLink on a device running an older iOS version, EchoLink will continue to work, but it cannot be upgraded to 2.0 or beyond.

Does it have the same features as the EchoLink software for Windows?

The iOS edition focuses on the basic features of EchoLink, such as managing the Station List, connecting and disconnecting, and transmitting and receiving voice and text. Unlike the Windows edition, you can be connected to only one node at a time, and there is no Sysop mode. The user interface has been re-designed to function smoothly on the smaller screen of the iPhone, and to take advantage of some of its built-in hardware features.

The app is prompting me for a password when I start it up. How do I get a password?

If you have used EchoLink before (for example, on Windows), enter the callsign and password you already have. Otherwise, choose and enter a password, and the app will walk you through the first part of the registration procedure.

Does it work with a Bluetooth headset or hands-free device?

Yes. Although the app uses the device's microphone and speaker by default, you can switch the audio source to a paired Bluetooth device, AirPlay, or the internal handset audio after startup, using the icon that appears just to the right of the audio-level meter on the QSO screen.

I see there are some Network Connection options on the Settings tab. How do these work?

EchoLink for iOS has some special networking features to make it work more smoothly with different kinds of mobile and wireless networks.

• Direct: With this setting, the app communicates with the Internet the same way the Windows edition of the software does. Choose this option only if you are using your own WiFi network and your router has been configured to forward UDP ports 5198 and 5199 to your mobile device. Depending on your WiFi network configuration, you might be able to use this mode even without setting up port forwarding.
• Relay: The Relay setting uses a special set of Relay servers to reach other nodes in the EchoLink system. This mode gives the best performance on a cellular network connection because it uses UDP. It's also convenient over WiFi because it requires no router configuration. However, please note the limitations of Relay in the FAQ item below.
• Public Proxy: In this mode, the app automatically selects a Public Proxy from the current list of available EchoLink proxies. The system attempts to connect to the proxy that is geographically closest to your current location.
• Custom Proxy:This mode lets you enter information to connect to a specific proxy, such as a private proxy you have set up yourself.

Are there any special limitations of the Relay networking option?

Yes. Although Relay is the default, and will generally give the best performance, the following limitations currently apply:

• You can initiate a connection, but you cannot receive one; stations that try to connect to you will receive a "No route available" error message. This means that iOS or Android users that are using the Relay mode cannot connect to each other.
• Because there are only a small number of relay severs, you often cannot connect to the same conference or conference server that another node using the Relay mode is already connected to. This means that two iOS or Android users that are using the Relay mode often cannot join the same conference at the same time.

I'm having trouble connecting to other stations. Any advice?

• Unfortunately, there are many nodes on the EchoLink network that aren't properly configured, and are unable to accept incoming connections. If you can connect successfully to *ECHOTEST* but you're not able to connect to another node, chances are good that it's a problem with the other node.
• Check to be sure you have a good, solid network connection. If you are on cellular, look for 4 of 5 bars in the signal strength indicator; if you are on WiFi, look for a full-strength signal. Field tests have shown that the cellular data network is not always available even with a strong cellular signal in some situations.
• If you are getting the message "No route is available to the station you selected", try connecting to a different station, try connecting later, or try Public Proxy instead of Relay. If you still get a similar message even via Proxy, the station you are trying to reach might be an iOS or Android user behind a Relay, who will not be reachable.
• Do not try connecting to yourself. This won't work in most situations.
• Do not use the Direct mode unless you have put in special port-forwarding rules in your router.

Am I running up a bill with my carrier when using EchoLink on iOS?

If you're connecting over cellular instead of WiFi, you are using your carrier's cellular data network to communicate with the Internet. If you have a flat-rate, "unlimited" data plan with your carrier (such as AT&T in the United States), you are probably not being charged extra, since streaming audio is permitted within the data plan. If you have any doubts, check with your wireless provider to be sure.