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Mixapod number
The permanent number of every Mixapod installation, dialing with the keypad, who can call you, blocking, and moving your number to a new computer.
A Mixapod number works like a phone number: the person you give it to calls you, and when you press Join you go straight into their session.
Your number
Every Mixapod installation gets a number the first time it opens, like the ones in the movies: 212-555- and four digits, for example 212-555-0147.
- The number is permanent; it’s yours for as long as you use Mixapod.
- Your number appears on the home screen next to the Your status box under the heading Your Mixapod number, at the bottom of the sidebar, and in Settings › Profile.
- Copy it with the copy icon on the home screen or with Copy number in Settings › Profile; Share opens WhatsApp with a ready-made message.
- The number is tied to your computer. If you change computers, you take it with you using the recovery code.
Invite codes and links still work as always; the number is an alternative, not a requirement.
Like a phone carrier
A Mixapod number follows the same logic as a mobile carrier:
| Phone carrier | Mixapod |
|---|---|
| The SIM card ties the number to your line | The number is tied to the secret key on your computer |
| The phone registers with the network when it’s switched on | Mixapod connects to the server with its number when it opens |
| The exchange routes the call to the right phone | The server passes the call to the number’s owner |
| If the phone is off, you get a missed-call notice | If Mixapod is closed, the missed call shows up when you open it |
| A new SIM keeps the same number | The recovery code moves the number to a new computer |
The big difference: with a carrier the conversation also goes through the network. In Mixapod the server only sets up the call; the sound flows directly between the two computers, encrypted. Details are on the Privacy and technical details page.
A Mixapod number is not a real phone number; it only works inside Mixapod and can’t be called from a phone.
Dialing a number
On the home screen, use the Dial a number field to the right of Contacts:
- Click the field or press the Keypad button next to it: a phone keypad opens.
- Press the digits or type them on your keyboard. You don’t need to type the hyphens; they are added on their own. Pressing keys plays phone key tones.
- Press the Call button, the green button on the keypad, or Enter.
- On the keypad, Delete erases the last digit and Clear erases them all; Add to contacts adds the number to your Contacts. Their name and photo come in with your first session together.
- If you type seven digits starting with
555,212is added on its own. - If you don’t have a session open, Mixapod first checks the number and, if it exists, starts a session for you. If nobody answers, this session closes on its own.
On the other side, an incoming call window opens; if they don’t know you, your number appears next to your name.
If the number is not in use
If you call a number that hasn’t been given to anyone, the call window says This number is not in use and plays the operator announcement: “The Mixapod number you have called is not in use. Please check the number and try again.” The announcement is read first in Turkish, then in English.
Who can call you
The Who can call me option in Settings › Profile:
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anyone with my number | Anyone who knows your number can call you (default) |
| Only my contacts | Only people you have added to your list can call you |
Blocking
- When an unknown number calls you, the window has a Block this number button.
- Numbers you block are listed in Settings › Profile under Blocked numbers; undo it with Unblock.
When someone you blocked calls you, or someone who isn’t your contact calls while “Only my contacts” is selected, nothing happens on your side: the call rings on their screen and ends as No answer. They can’t tell whether they were blocked or you were offline.
Moving your number to a new computer
Along with the number, a recovery code is created: 12 characters in the form XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
- On your old computer, get the code with Show code or Copy code in the Settings › Profile › Recovery code section and save it somewhere safe.
- Install Mixapod on your new computer; type the code into the Bring your number from another computer field in Settings › Profile and press Bring number.
- The number moves to the new computer; the old computer loses the number.
Protection against abuse
Because numbers have only four variable digits, someone could try numbers one after another to find out who uses Mixapod. The server limits this:
- A computer can make only a certain number of calls per minute, per hour and per day.
- Calling unused numbers one after another is blocked quickly; the screen says Too many calls tried. Calling opens up again after a while.
- Only a few new numbers can be obtained per day from the same internet connection.