Rubika is a popular messaging and social media app originally developed in Iran. With over 40 million users, Rubika offers features like messaging, voice and video calling, channels, and more. If you have friends or family who use Rubika, you’ll want to download the app on your iPhone or iPad to stay connected.
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An Introduction to Rubika
Rubika first launched in 2013 as a messaging app tailored for the Iranian market. It quickly gained popularity thanks to its focus on security and privacy. Rubika uses end-to-end encryption to protect user communications.
Over the years, Rubika has expanded into a more full-featured social media and communications app. Some key features include:
- Messaging – Send individual and group messages with text, photos, videos and files.
- Voice and Video Calls – Make free HD quality calls over WiFi or cellular data.
- Channels – Join public channels focused on different topics and interests.
- Stories – Share ephemeral photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.
- Rubika Pay – A digital wallet for transferring funds and making purchases.
- GIFs – Send animated GIFs when you want to express yourself visually.
With a modern design and focus on speed, Rubika has grown quickly thanks to its blend of messaging, social and payments features. It’s especially popular among younger users in Iran who enjoy the app’s variety of options.
Downloading Rubika on the Iranian App Store
Rubika was originally created for the Iranian market, so the official way to download it on iOS is through the Iranian app store known as Sib App. Here is how to download Rubika using this method:
- Go to https://sibapp.com on your iOS device’s web browser. This is the website for the Sib App store.
- Tap the profile download link at the top of the page. This will start the download of the Sib App profile.
- Open Settings > General > Profile on your iOS device. Find and tap on the Sib App profile to install it.
- You may get a warning that the profile is not verified. Tap Trust to confirm installation of the profile. This will add Sib App to your iOS device.
- Open the newly installed Sib App from your home screen. You can now search for and download Rubika on this Iranian app store.
- Search for “Rubika”. Tap Get and then Install to download the app.
- You can now open Rubika and start using it! The app will update automatically through Sib App going forward.
This method provides the official iOS app store release of Rubika.
However, the Sib App store has some limitations:
- It requires installing an unverified profile which some users may be uncomfortable with.
- Payment and downloads only work for accounts with an Iranian phone number and payment info.
- Accessing the store may be blocked by some networks or countries.
So for users outside of Iran or without an Iranian account, a different download method is required.
Using Third Party App Stores
If you can’t access the Iranian App Store, you can download Rubika using third party app stores like AppValley and TweakBox.
Here’s how:
- On your device, open the web browser and go to appvalley.vip or tweakboxapp.com. These are third party app repositories.
- Download the AppValley or TweakBox app from the site. Follow the prompts to install the app.
- Open AppValley or TweakBox and search for “Rubika”. Tap Get or Install to download it.
- You may need to repeat a profile trust step similar to the Iranian App Store instructions above.
- Once installed, you can open Rubika and start using it normally. Updates will come through the third party app store.
The advantages of using these alternative stores include:
- No Iranian account required. Anyone can download Rubika this way.
- Provides the real iOS app, not an web wrapper.
- Actively maintained and updated.
The downsides are:
- Third party app stores involve less vetting than official app stores.
- Apps could potentially be modified or contain malware (though unlikely from well known stores).
- Apple may revoke the enterprise certificates for these stores, causing apps to stop working.
For most users outside of Iran, using one of the third party app stores is the easiest way to download Rubika on iOS. Just be aware of the tradeoffs.
Creating a Rubika Account
Once you have Rubika installed from any of the above methods, you’ll need to create an account before using the app. Follow these steps:
- Open Rubika and tap Get Started.
- Enter your phone number in international format.
- You’ll receive an activation code via SMS. Enter this code.
- Rubika will now generate a unique username for you.
- Tap Continue.
- On the next screen, tap Skip to avoid entering your location info.
- Rubika will begin syncing your contacts. You can start adding friends and editing your profile.
And that’s it! You now have a Rubika account set up and can start using the app. Be sure to turn on notifications so you don’t miss any messages or calls.
Now let’s go over some of the top things to do after getting Rubika downloaded and installed.
Key Tasks After Installing Rubika
Here are some of the first things you should do after getting Rubika downloaded and set up with an account:
- Add Friends – Start finding and adding your friends and family who already use Rubika. You can search by name or sync contacts.
- Set Profile Photo – Add a profile photo so your friends know it’s you. Tap on your default avatar to change the photo.
- Enable Notifications – Turn on notifications for Rubika in your iOS Settings. This ensures you won’t miss any incoming messages or calls.
- Join Public Channels – Explore popular public channels around topics you’re interested in. Channels allow you to meet new people.
- Enable Disappearing Messages – Turn this on from Settings > Privacy for enhanced security and privacy. Message histories will automatically clear.
- Set Up Voice & Video Calling – Test out making voice and video calls over WiFi to ensure the feature works properly on your device.
- Try Out Rubika Pay – Send or receive funds with friends and pay for goods/services using Rubika’s built-in digital wallet.
- Customize the App – Edit options like themes and notification settings to tailor Rubika to your preferences.
- Share Your Username – Let your friends know your new Rubika username so they can find and connect with you.
Taking the time to fully set up your profile, connect with friends, and personalize settings will ensure you get the most out of Rubika.
Troubleshooting Rubika Download and Installation
In some cases, you may encounter issues when trying to download or install Rubika on your iOS device. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Can’t Access Sib App Store – If you’re outside Iran or don’t have an Iranian account, Sib App may be blocked or unavailable. Use a third party app store instead.
Activation Code Not Received – Ensure you entered your phone number correctly and have cellular signal or WiFi connectivity. The activation SMS may be delayed.
App Won’t Open – If Rubika crashes on launch, try restarting your iOS device. Reinstall Rubika if needed. The app may need reinstalling after an iOS update.
Profile Verification Warning – It’s safe to verify/trust the Sib App or third party app store profiles during Rubika installation. This is required to download apps from those stores.
Rubika Stops Working – The enterprise certificate for a third party app store may have been revoked. Wait for the store to issue a new certificate and reinstall Rubika.
Can’t Find Friends – Your contacts need to be using the same Rubika app store in order to show up as friend suggestions. Switch app download sources if needed.
Features Aren’t Working – Ensure you have stable internet connectivity via WiFi or cellular data. All of Rubika’s features require an internet connection.
Account Banned – Rubika accounts are tied to phone numbers. Creating multiple accounts with the same number will get accounts banned. Use a different number instead.
Always be sure to download Rubika from a reputable source, whether that’s Sib App or a well known third party app store. Avoid unknown sites or links offering Rubika downloads.
Tips for Using Rubika on iOS
Here are some handy tips for getting the best experience using Rubika on your iPhone or iPad:
- Use Rubika over WiFi whenever possible for better call quality and performance. The app consumes less data too.
- Turn on Disappearing Messages for privacy – but be aware messages will be deleted after 24 hours.
- Share photos directly to a conversation instead of as traditional media attachments for higher quality.
- React to messages with a thumbs up, heart or other emoji instead of generic texts like “OK”.
- Mute noisy group chats instead of leaving or disabling notifications entirely.
- Create shortcuts to favorite contacts or channels on your iOS home screen for quick access.
- Use headphone controls on your iOS device to answer or hang up Rubika voice and video calls.
- Save data usage and battery life by disabling auto-download of media in conversations.
- Bookmark important messages using the star icon – this also prevents them from disappearing.
- Make free international calls through Rubika by having both parties connect via WiFi or data.
- Export your Rubika account if you need to transfer it to another device or reinstall the app.
By following these tips, customizing settings, and taking advantage of all of Rubika’s features, you’ll get the most seamless messaging experience on iOS.
Rubika on iPad vs iPhone
Rubika works great on both iPhones and iPads. However, there are a few differences in the experience between the two devices:
- iPad App – Rubika for iPad is optimized for large tablet screens. Conversations and media content is shown in a split-screen layout.
- iPhone App – On iPhones, Rubika uses a more compact vertical interface. This is better suited for one-handed use.
- Landscape Mode – The iPad app takes full advantage of landscape orientation. iPhones are limited to portrait mode only.
- Notification Handling – Notifications work the same, but iPads lack notification preview and quick reply which the iPhone supports.
- Calling Experience – Audio and video calls benefit from the iPad’s larger display. The iPhone’s smaller screen can feel cramped.
- Drawing Tools – You can draw, annotate images, and add text with Apple Pencil on an iPad. No specialized stylus is supported on iPhones.
- Shared Libraries – The iPad’s photo library integration allows easily sharing images and videos into conversations.
Overall, core messaging works great on both iPhone and iPad. But iPads provide a superior experience for media sharing and Rubika calls thanks to the big, high-resolution display and multi-tasking capabilities.
Rubika Alternatives for iOS
While extremely popular in its home country of Iran, Rubika faces competition from many other messaging apps globally. Here are some top alternatives on iOS if you’re looking for apps similar to Rubika:
- WhatsApp – The most widely used messaging app worldwide thanks to its simplicity and encryption.
- Telegram – Fast and full-featured messaging with channels and tons of stickers/bots.
- Signal – Favored for having uncompromising end-to-end encryption.
- Messenger – Facebook’s chat app with payments and tight integration with the social network.
- Viber – Voice and video calls are the main focus with group messaging included.
- WeChat – Massively popular in China and feature-packed with games, news, payments and more.
- LINE – Originated in Asia, LINE offers fun stickers, topical public channels and group video calls.
- Discord – Voice, video and text chat focused on gamers with robust server and community options.
Each app has its pros and cons depending on your priorities and contacts you want to message with. Most offer strong encryption to protect your privacy. Test out a few to see which Rubika alternative you like using best on your iPhone or iPad.
The Future of Rubika on iOS
Rubika has seen impressive growth since launching 10 years ago. The developers continue to enhance the app with useful new capabilities in every update.
Here are some expected improvements and features we’re likely to see added in future versions of Rubika for iOS:
- Full iPad optimization – Additional iPad-specific features like multi-window support and Apple Pencil integration for more creative messaging.
- Enhanced notifications – Support for modern iOS notification features like summaries and inline replies from other apps.
- Deeper Siri integration – Leverage Siri for voice commands to send messages, make calls, and get information.
- Shared iCloud storage – Use your allocated iCloud storage quota to store larger files shared in Rubika.
- Apple Watch app – Reply to Rubika messages and see notifications right from your wrist.
- Focus mode integration – Take advantage of iOS Focus modes to mute Rubika notifications temporarily.
- Sticker store – An in-app store for discovering and downloading new custom sticker packs.
- SwiftUI codebase – A full rewrite of the app in SwiftUI will lead to faster performance and quicker feature development.
Rubika still has plenty of room to grow on iOS. We can expect the app to leverage more native Apple platform capabilities over time while retaining the core messaging experience users know and love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rubika for iOS
Here are answers to some common questions about downloading and using Rubika on an iPhone or iPad:
Does Rubika drain my device’s battery?
Rubika can decrease battery life if you use it heavily, especially for calls. Disable auto-download of media and reduce notifications to improve battery performance.
Is Rubika safe for kids to use?
Enable settings like Disappearing Messages and disable public channel access to create a safer messaging environment for kids. Monitor their activity.
Can I use Rubika on multiple devices?
Yes, you can install and sign in to Rubika across multiple iOS and Android devices. Your messages and data will sync between linked devices.
Does Rubika work on iPad?
Yes! Rubika is fully supported on all modern iPad models. The iPad app provides an optimized interface and features for larger tablet screens.
Can I message people on Android?
Absolutely. Rubika’s messaging platform connects users across iOS and Android. You can seamlessly chat with friends on either operating system.
How do I restore my purchase history?
If you reinstall Rubika or switch devices, use the app’s Export Chat History option to back up your account data including transaction logs and purchase history.
Is there a desktop app?
No official desktop app exists yet, but you can access Rubika on Mac or PC through the web app available at rubika.ir or by using third-party desktop wrapper apps.
Conclusion
I hope this comprehensive guide covered everything you need to know about successfully downloading, installing, and using Rubika on your iPhone, iPad or other iOS device.
Rubika may not be a household name globally like WhatsApp or Telegram, but it delivers a solid messaging experience with unique features tailored for its home market of Iran. By leveraging the Iranian App Store or trustworthy third party options, iOS users worldwide can now easily access Rubika.
The app continues to improve, making it a great choice for inexpensive voice/video calling and engaging with content channels relevant to Persian speakers and the Iranian diaspora abroad. Don’t hesitate to install Rubika on your iOS device and start enjoying seamless messaging with friends old and new across any distance.