Messenger001

Client

Client building a private messaging platform. Needed a native iOS app with 1-on-1 and group messaging, media sharing, and audio recording.

Problem

The client wanted a custom messenger for their user base, independent of existing platforms. Requirements: 1-on-1 and group chats, text/audio/video/photo messages, message editing and deletion, reply and forward, read receipts, push notifications. The app had to work with the client's existing REST API backend.

Solution

UIKit app with programmatic layout (no storyboards). MVP architecture with presenters. Core Data for local message caching. Network layer built on URLSession with multipart upload support for media. Message types: text, audio (with recording and playback), video (with compression and thumbnail caching), photos. Polymorphic chat cells for different message types. Chat features: reply to specific messages, forward, edit, delete. Read/listen status tracking. Group chat management (add/remove participants). Google Sign-In for auth. Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications.

Results

• +Scalable architecture with controllers and presenters
• +5 message types: text, audio, video, photo, combined
• +Full message lifecycle: send, edit, delete, reply, forward
• +Read and listen receipts per message
• +Group chat with participant management
• +Media compression and thumbnail caching for video

Role & timeline

iOS Developer. UIKit, Core Data, REST API integration, Firebase. ~10 months