Knowledge base
Setup, safety, the local API, billing, and honest answers — find it fast.
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Download & install SocialMate
Get SocialMate running on Windows, macOS, or Linux in a couple of minutes — no account required for the free tier.
Read →Will I get banned? An honest answer
How SocialMate reduces risk — and why no tool, including ours, can promise zero risk.
Read →Activate your license key
Paste your SM4 key to unlock Pro — and how to move it to a new computer.
Read →Getting started with the local API
Send your first message over the local HTTP API with an x-api-key in under five minutes.
Read →Automate WhatsApp with the native n8n node
Install the SocialMate community node and automate WhatsApp in n8n — including as an AI Agent tool, and over MCP with C…
Read →Pricing explained (and why it’s flat)
Free forever, or a flat Pro license — never a per-message meter. Here's exactly what each tier costs and includes.
Read →Browse by category
Install, link WhatsApp, activate, and find your way around.
- Download & install SocialMate
- Your first run (setup & safety acceptance)
- Link your WhatsApp (QR or pairing code)
- Activate your license key
Run SocialMate headless on your own Linux server — Docker or systemd — step by step.
- Run SocialMate on a VPS (Docker & systemd)
- Install SocialMate with Docker — step by step
- Install SocialMate without Docker (systemd)
- Keep your server running: restart, auto-start & updates
The headline engine — and an honest take on risk.
- Will I get banned? An honest answer
- Desktop vs VPS: which is safer for your number?
- How the 8-layer shield works
- Understanding your risk score
Run one number safely, or many at scale.
- Add multiple WhatsApp accounts
- Warming new numbers (the first 72 hours)
- Device fingerprints, explained
- Night pause & quiet hours
Send text and media, schedule, batch, and message responsibly.
6 articles →A real local REST API, webhooks, OpenAPI, and a built-in tunnel.
- Getting started with the local API
- API authentication & keys
- The OpenAPI spec & live docs
- Setting up webhooks
Your searchable, local archive — your data, on your machine.
- Auto-sync on connect
- Full-text search across your history
- History backfill on upgrade
- Sync gaps & integrity checks
Plans, checkout, subscriptions, and refunds — your card never touches our servers.
- Pricing explained (and why it’s flat)
- How checkout works
- Payment methods & security (PCI / FastSpring)
- Manage your subscription
Your portal: licenses, devices, downloads, and your data.
- Your account portal, at a glance
- Signing in with a magic link
- Managing devices & seats
- Move your license to a new computer
When something is off — fix it fast.
- The app won’t connect to WhatsApp
- The QR code won’t scan
- My license key won’t activate
- Messages are stuck in the queue
Real ways teams run SocialMate — and why self-hosted wins.
- E-commerce order & shipping notifications
- SocialMate as your n8n automation backbone
- Appointment & booking reminders
- Agencies: many numbers, one safe cockpit
Why SocialMate
Can’t find an answer? Open a ticket or email [email protected]. Live service status: status page.