ChatterBox - Chatting App

ChatterBox is a real-time messaging application built using Kotlin for Android. It allows users to communicate with each other through a simple and efficient interface, featuring real-time chat functionality, user authentication, and more.

Features

• User Authentication: Users can securely sign up and log in to the app.
• Real-Time Messaging: Send and receive messages instantly using Firebase Realtime Database.
• User Profiles: Users can set and update their profile with a display picture and status.
• Typing Indicator: Shows when a user is typing in the chat.
• Message Timestamps: Displays the time messages are sent.
• Online/Offline Status: See when your contacts are online or offline.

Screenshots

Tech Stack

• Kotlin: Programming language for Android app development.
• Firebase Authentication: Secure user login and signup functionality.
• Firebase Realtime Database: For real-time message storage and synchronization.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): For sending push notifications to users.
• Firebase Storage: For storing and retrieving shared images.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Android Studio: Make sure you have Android Studio installed. Download it from here.
• Firebase Account: Create a Firebase project to integrate Firebase services with your app. Follow the Firebase setup guide below.

Installation

1. Clone the Repository: Open a terminal and run the following command:

   git clone https://github.com/KrishnaTech6/ChatterBox-Chatting-App.git
   

Installation

Open the Project in Android Studio

1. Launch Android Studio.
2. Open the project by navigating to the cloned repository on your system.

Connect to Firebase

1. Go to the Firebase Console and create a new Firebase project.
2. Add your Android app to the Firebase project by registering the app using the package name of the app.
3. Download the google-services.json file from Firebase and place it in the app/ directory of your Android project.
4. Add the Firebase SDK dependencies to your build.gradle file.

Build and Run

1. Sync your Gradle files by selecting File > Sync Project with Gradle Files.
2. Connect an Android device or start an emulator.
3. Build and run the app by clicking on Run > Run 'app' in Android Studio.

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Firebase Setup

Follow these steps to connect the app to Firebase services:

• Firebase Authentication: Enable authentication providers (e.g., Email/Password) in the Firebase console.
• Firebase Realtime Database: Set up Firebase Realtime Database and configure the required rules for real-time messaging.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Enable FCM to send push notifications to users.
• Firebase Storage: Set up Firebase Storage to allow image uploads.

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Dependencies

Add the following dependencies to your build.gradle file:

implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-auth:21.0.1'
implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-database:20.0.2'
implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-storage:20.0.0'
implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-messaging:23.0.0'