Installing ChatPic on your iPhone is a great way to add contact photos to your text messages for a more personal messaging experience. However, since ChatPic is a Cydia tweak, you will need to jailbreak your iPhone first before installing it. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get ChatPic working on your iPhone.
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Overview of ChatPic
ChatPic is a popular jailbreak tweak that integrates your iPhone’s address book photos into the messages app. Once installed, it will display a small contact photo next to each text message, helping you instantly recognize who you’re talking to.
Some key features of ChatPic include:
- Displays address book photos in messages app
- Syncs with existing contacts and photos
- Customizable photo size and position
- Open source and free ($0.99 from BigBoss repo)
While simple, ChatPic enhances the messaging experience on an iPhone by adding a personal touch. It works specifically with the native iPhone messages app too.
Compatibility
ChatPic works great if you use the default messages app and want to spice it up with contact photos. However, it is not compatible with third-party Cydia SMS replacements like BiteSMS.
It is designed solely for the integrated iPhone messages app. ChatPic also pulls photos straight from your local address book rather than using services like Gravatar.
Before installing, make sure your device meets the following compatibility requirements:
- Jailbroken iPhone running iOS 7 up to iOS 9
- Default iOS messaging app only
- Local contacts/photos enabled
Step 1: Jailbreak Your iPhone
Since ChatPic is an unofficial tweak not allowed on the App Store, you will need to jailbreak your iPhone first. This removes software restrictions put in place by Apple, allowing you to install apps like ChatPic.
The jailbreak process enables “root” access to your device, bringing more control over system files and settings.
Several tools exist to jailbreak devices, with options depending on your current iOS version:
Follow the instructions carefully for these browser-based jailbreaking tools to correctly set up Cydia and prepare your iPhone.
Most jailbreaks take 5-10 minutes to complete and install Cydia automatically. This app store alternative lets you find and install jailbreak tweaks like ChatPic.
Step 2: Install ChatPic from Cydia
Once your iPhone is jailbroken, you’ll find a new “Cydia” app icon installed on your home screen.
Launch Cydia and at the bottom, tap “Manage”. This will reload Cydia with access to search and install jailbreak tweaks.
In the search bar at the top, search for “ChatPic” and tap the result.
The official ChatPic tweak will appear by developer Ryan Petrich. Tap the entry to go to the package info screen.
Here you can learn more details about the tweak. When ready, tap “Install” in the top-right and then confirm the installation.
ChatPic costs $0.99 and Cydia will prompt you to sign in or create an account to purchase it. Pay through PayPal or Amazon Payments then return to Cydia.
The tweak will now download and automatically install shortly after purchase. You may need to respring your device once installed for ChatPic to fully activate.
Fix App Store Errors
Note that you may encounter errors when trying to use the App Store after jailbreaking. This can prevent installing paid Cydia tweaks.
To fix, open Cydia and install both of the following packages which resolve licensing issues caused by the jailbreak:
- Applist
- Apple File Conduit “2”
After a respring, you should be able to purchase ChatPic or other paid Cydia packages without any App Store errors.
Step 3: Configure ChatPic Settings
Once ChatPic finishes installing, open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap on the new “ChatPic” settings.
Here you can configure options like:
- Photoposition: Position contact photos left or right
- Photoscale: Size of images in chat
- Background color: For transparent photos
- Enable in different apps: Configure where ChatPic works
For most, the default settings work great, displaying a nicely sized contact photo on the left side of messages.
Feel free to customize ChatPic however you prefer though. You can make photos smaller, change background color, or only enable it in certain apps.
Using ChatPic for Texting
After enabling ChatPic in your Settings, open the messages app and start a new text conversation.
If you have a contact photo saved for that person, you will now see it prominently displayed next to each message!
ChatPic automatically syncs with your existing contacts and saved photos. Try texting a few different people to see it fetch and display various contact pictures as you message back and forth.
The tweak integrates seamlessly right into the standard iPhone SMS app too. It will keep working persistently in the background every time you send/receive new texts.
If a contact does not have a photo saved, ChatPic also adds their initials in a circular badge, like the normal Messages app.
Overall the tweak feels very native, enhancing your text messaging in a personalized way by showing user profile photos. Give it a try and enjoy added photos spicing up all your iMessage conversations!
Troubleshooting ChatPic Issues
In some cases ChatPic may encounter issues displaying contact photos correctly. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Respring device – Close all apps and respring your device to reload ChatPic
- Reboot device – More persistent issues may require a full reboot
- Enable access – Confirm ChatPic access in Settings for relevant apps
- Check contacts – Verify contacts have photos saved from your address book
- Remove tweak then reinstall (last resort)
Following these steps help isolate any problems with the tweak itself or its ability to pull saved contact photos.
Uninstalling ChatPic
If you wish to remove ChatPic in the future, simply open Cydia again and go to the “Installed” section.
Find ChatPic in the list and tap “Remove”. Cydia will uninstall the tweak from your iPhone automatically. You may need to respring again afterwards to complete the uninstallation process.
Also don’t forget to disable access or delete any custom settings for ChatPic in your Settings app.
Is ChatPic Right For You?
Installing ChatPic is a great way to level up your iMessage game and brings a dash of personalization to every text conversation. Seamless contact image integration makes this one of the most popular jailbreak tweaks among iPhone messaging power users.
However, it does require jailbreaking your device – which makes radical system-level changes. While safe when done properly, it’s important to consider the risks:
- Voids manufacturer warranty
- Increased security vulnerabilities
- Unstable app performance
If you rely on your iPhone for critical daily usage, jailbreaking is not recommended. The process can occasionally cause crashes or other issues.
But for secondary devices or tech-savvy users willing to tinker, jailbreaking opens the door to awesome iOS customizations like ChatPic.
So download a compatible jailbreak tool, install Cydia, grab ChatPic – and enjoy chatting with contacts photos popped right into every message. Your iPhone texts will never look better!