~* bridges guide *~

talking to people on whatsapp and messenger without using whatsapp and messenger

a "bridge" is a little robot that sits between matrix and another app. when someone writes to you on whatsapp or messenger, the message shows up in a normal matrix room — you answer right there. a relay is set up that interfaces between matrix and the other services via the bot. you never have to open their apps again. I haven't opened them since may 2026!

how does it actually work? think of it as an avatar: the bridge is a program on our server that logs into whatsapp or messenger as you — exactly like linking an extra device to whatsapp, or opening messenger in a second browser. when someone writes to you over there, the avatar copies the message into a matrix room. when you reply in that room, the avatar sends it from your account over there. your friends just see normal you, chatting as always — they can't tell the difference.

(since the avatar really is logged in as you, your messages do pass through the solarcat server — but nobody can read them. still, it's only fair you know where your stuff flows.)

to login to messenger or whatsapp in the bridge, you need to DM the robots and execute a few commands that will create the interface. you talk to the robots like normal people: you send them a private message (a "DM") and they reply with instructions. their addresses:

• @whatsappbot:matrix.solarcat.eu — for whatsapp
• @metabot:matrix.solarcat.eu — for messenger

p.s. instagram is coming soon ;)

to start a DM in element: hit the + (start a chat) button and type the whole address, @ and everything. no account yet? start with the sign-up guide. ask maya for help if needed.

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whatsapp

1. DM @whatsappbot:matrix.solarcat.eu and send: login qr
2. the bot sends back a QR code picture.
3. on your phone, open whatsapp → settings → linked devices → link a device, and point the camera at the QR code.
4. done! your chats appear as matrix rooms within a minute or two.

• tip: scanning not working? send login phone instead. the bot asks for your phone number and gives you an 8-letter code — on the "link a device" screen tap link with a phone number instead and type it in.
• note: whatsapp expects your actual phone to come online at least once every ~2 weeks, or it disconnects the bridge.
• to unlink: send logout.

messenger

meta is picky about logins, so this one works with a "cookie" — basically a snippet proving your browser is logged in. two ways to get it to the bot:

the easy way (not tested by me, but recommended by the community):

1. install the mautrix-manager browser extension: github.com/mautrix/manager (chrome + firefox).
2. DM @metabot:matrix.solarcat.eu and send: login (or login messenger if it asks which). it will ask for cookies.
3. in your normal browser window, open messenger.com and make sure you're logged in, as usual.
4. click the mautrix-manager icon in your toolbar and follow what it says — it copies the cookie for you.
5. paste it into the DM with the bot.
6. the bot confirms, and your chats show up as rooms.

the more manual way (no extension, I use this):

1. DM @metabot:matrix.solarcat.eu and send login.
2. open messenger.com in a private/incognito window and log in normally.
3. press F12 → network tab → click on something in messenger (open a chat, scroll…) → in the request list pick any xhr request.
4. right-click it → copy → copy as cURL (on windows: "copy as cURL (POSIX)").
5. paste the whole thing into the DM with the bot. it digests it and logs you in.

both bridges

• send help to either bot to see everything they can do.
• logout unlinks you. your real chats are never touched or deleted anywhere.
• new incoming chats just appear as new rooms. reply there and it goes back over the bridge. pictures, files and voice notes work like in any chat.

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stuck or banned by the robots? message maya —

first time here? start with the sign-up guide