Welcome and Introduction
Last updated
Last updated
Zello—one of the world’s leading push-to-talk apps—transforms Android, iOS, and Windows PC platforms into walkie-talkies through the power of live voice push-to-talk functionality. Our feature-rich platform securely connects your team in a private, managed, and reliable environment for seamless collaboration and connectivity when it matters most.
This SDK allows you to integrate Zello’s core features directly into your own environment, leveraging our scalable, reliable, and secure platform to strengthen your communications infrastructure. It’s available for iOS, Android, and React Native environments, and provides two installation options: a highly-configurable blank installation package, and a “batteries-included” example app.
While not every feature included in our native app is available through the SDK, much of our core functionality can be replicated in your environment. Currently, available features include:
Feature | Explanation |
Messaging | |
Channel Alerts | A channel alert is a distinct, high-priority channel message that’s delivered via a unique text notification and three audible beeps. Only assigned users can send a channel alert. Learn more. |
Dispatch Calls | This tool allows drivers to enter an automatically-organized dispatch call queue. When a dispatcher accepts the call, a 1:1 message between the dispatcher and driver begins. This keeps information concentrated and organized, and works to effectively minimize chatter associated with traditional radios. Learn more about mobile dispatch calls. |
Ad Hoc Channels | Ad hoc channels allows users to send on-the-fly group messages to their direct contacts. They're best suited for quick, temporary communications, as they lack to the advanced configuration capabilities available in regular network channels. Learn more about ad hoc channels. |
Message History + Replay | By default, message history is stored locally on a user’s device. This ensures all communications—voice, text, image, and locations—can be referenced and retrieved at any time. Voice messages in particular can be replayed as needed. Duration of storage is dependent on the in-use device’s capacity. Please note that additional UI elements can be designed to enhance the display and management of local device history on the SDK. |
Profile Information | Each user profile includes elements such as profile pictures, display names, and user-specific settings that can be configured by either a network admin or users themselves. This information provides a customizable, efficient, and intuitive communications experience that’s tailored to individual needs and environments. Profiles are configured by network admins from either the management console or Zello’s API. |
Mute Control | Users retain the ability to selectively mute channels and/or contacts in their Zello Work network, allowing for more focused communications when needed. |
Emergency Alerts | Emergency alerts notify select network users of critical situations. When triggered, the alert sends 10 seconds of prioritized, uninterrupted audio from the sender’s device alongside their location data to a pre-configured channel. Learn more. |
Availability Status | Zello Work’s statuses communicate personnel availability, as well as determine how and when you’ll receive messages. Learn more about statuses. |
We’ll continue update this documentation as new features are released.
Zello’s SDK offers a powerful solution for integrating advanced communication features into your application. It simplifies the development process by providing pre-built functionalities that can be quickly and flexibly deployed within your existing infrastructure.
The SDK is available in 3 formats:
iOS
Android
React Native
And 2 installation packages:
| Example App | The example app includes all available SDK features in one convenient package. It requires little technical knowledge to set up, and provides a solid testing ground for the blank installation package. |
|---|---|
Blank Installation Package | The blank installation package is ideal for those wanting to build something from scratch. It’s highly configurable and best used when Zello’s functionality is a core component of your product. |
For more information on the example app and blank installation package—including the use cases and development lift for each—see the Example App vs. Blank Installation Package section.
More information can be found here.
Android 7+
iOS 14+
Note: Although Zello can operate on older versions of these systems, we cannot guarantee it’ll be fully supported or function properly on an outdated OS.
If you’re interested in the SDK, we recommend creating a Zello Work network and downloading an example app for demonstration of the kit’s capabilities.
Zello Work network credentials are required to connect to a network and fully leverage the SDK. Credentials include the following components:
Username
Password
Network name
Admins obtain Zello Work credentials upon network creation. Thereafter, individual user credentials are assigned by the network admin. For more information about network credentials, visit https://sdk.zello.com/core-concepts/network-credentials.
Once you’ve obtained your Zello Work credentials, download one of the following example apps to explore the SDK’s functionality.
iOS (native)
Android (native)
React Native (iOS and Android)
Example apps demonstrate the SDK’s functionality in real-time. Their installation is significantly easier than a blank package, and we accordingly recommend starting with an example app to understand the SDK’s full capabilities and applicability to your use case. From there, you may decide to leverage Zello’s blank installation package for a more tailored, configurable experience. See the Example App vs. Blank Installation Package section for more information.
The table below outlines the differences between the blank installation package and example app.
Aspect | Blank Installation Package | Example App |
Purpose | The blank installation package is highly configurable. It’s best for those who are:
While the SDK provides the necessary components for each Zello feature, you control how everything is integrated and customized—including which features are added, how they interact, and their UI. | The example app is a “batteries included” installation package. Its purpose is twofold:
The example app offers a bare-bones UI that can be further refined to your branding standards. Additional capabilities outside of Zello’s scope can be integrated via API if desired. |
Use Case | This package is best used in cases where the SDK’s features are critical to your product’s functionality, or in cases where you’d like to selectively incorporate Zello’s features into your product. | You may find the example app useful as a starting point or proof of concept for the blank installation package; building the example app and adding in your branding can demonstrate the potential benefit of the SDK for your infrastructure. |
Installation Timeline | While running the installation package itself will only take about an hour, configuration of the SDK’s features is expected to take several weeks. The exact timeline is largely dependent on the number of features you’d like to call up, but keep in mind that each item must be added and configured individually. | Installation is quick and relatively low-lift. Expect installation to take an hour at most. |
Installation Level | Building the blank installation package is a complex process. We recommend that a seasoned developer with expertise in the relevant environment (React Native, iOS, Android) handle installation. | The example app takes little to no development experience to build. |
Features | Features can be added one-by-one as your technology requires, providing a fully-customizable experience that suits your specific use case. | All features available in the SDK are automatically included in the example app’s installation package. |
Flexibility | The blank installation package can be flexibly deployed in your environment. You choose which features to integrate and how, allowing for customization that aligns with your use case. | The example app includes all available SDK features and affords a lower level of customization. You may still modify the UI and branding or integrate your own API as needed. |
