Hike ID: Now chat without sharing your mobile number

Enabling easier discovery and control while connecting with others, homegrown messaging app Hike has launched 'Hike ID', a unique identity that lets users chat without sharing their mobile numbers.

"There has always been a big need from our users for features which enable them to have more control over their relationships online like Hidden Mode and customized privacy controls for profile pictures, timeline posts and status updates. These features have been extremely popular and Hike ID is the logical next step for us to make this value proposition even stronger by enabling easier discovery and control while connecting with others," said Pathik Shah, VP Product at Hike told ANI.

Privacy is something the company values most and it is also easy to search for something with Hike ID. There is no need for saving anyone's number, the company added.

The feature will be available from next week for Android users. Entrackr's queries to Hike regarding launch and detail of the product did not elicit any response.

The feature will be rolled out for iOS users later. Meanwhile, taking a leaf out of one of its investors WeChat, Hike is also planning to add more services like cab bookings, bus, train, movie tickets and pay bills in the first quarter of 2018.

Kavin Bharti Mittal, founder and chief executive of Hike Messenger in an earlier interview to Mint had said that the company would like to build infrastructure similar to China in the next three years. The company had also raised (About $175 million) funds from Tencent and Foxconn.

The messaging app was launched in 2012. Hike claims to have over 100 million users though its revenue has gone down. The company has over 350 employees at two offices in Delhi and Bengaluru. The company also launched many services including payments on its app in April this year, to gain more customers.

The messaging-cum-wallet app had acquired InstaLively Livestreaming and a hyperlocal social networking app Pulse and acqui-hired consumer technology startup Creo.