# Set the Identity

Setting the identity allows you to authorize the user.

## Retrieve the configuraiton parameters

We need to have configuration for chat which we’re providing to you it means you need:

- Region
- Project ID
- Client ID
- Config ID (leave "" if you don't have it)
- ***(Optional)*** Token secret


To connect your Sinch Chat client to your Sinch account, you need to set the following parameters in the `AppDelegate` file:

| Parameter | Description |
|  --- | --- |
| projectID | Get your project ID from your Sinch Dashboard. |
| clientID | Get your client ID from your Sinch Dashboard. |
| region | Use either `.EU1` for Europe or `.US1` for the United States. |
| config_id | POpulate with "" if you do not have this value |
| secret | Optional. If you have configured an optional secret token in your Sinch Dashboard, enter it here. |


## Setting the identity

Next you must actually authorize the user. To do so, call us this method as early as possible to authorize the user:


```swift
func setIdentity(with config: SinchSDKConfig.AppConfig, identity: SinchSDKIdentity, completion: ((Result<Void, SinchSDKIdentityError>) -> Void)? = nil)
```

You can call this method as many times as you want. For example:


```swift
let config = SinchSDKConfig.AppConfig(
        clientID: {{ client_id }},
        projectID: {{ project_id }},
        configID: {{ config_id }}, // If you don't have this value, leave empty string ""
        region: .EU1
)
let currentIdentityType: SinchSDKIdentity = .anonymous


SinchChatSDK.shared.setIdentity(with: config, identity: currentIdentityType) { result in

switch result {

case .success:

// SDK is authenticated successfully.

case .failure(let error):

// SDK cannot be initizalized so you can't use any functionality

}
}
```

### Types of Sinch SDK Identity

There are two identity types. In anonymous sessions, we generate a unique User Identifier to identify the user for your projectID and clientID.

If you have a self-signed user id, **you** can specify that it be used in the scope of the projectID, clientID, and configID. This means you can send push notifications or start a live chat using the identifier assigned in your database.


```swift

public enum SinchSDKIdentity: Codable, Equatable {
/// Creates anonymous session with random user identifier.
case anonymous
/// Creates session with specific user identifier.
case selfSigned(userId: String, secret: String)
}
```

#### Examples

- **Anonymous session**


When you call setIdentity method with `.anonymous` identity, a random user is generated. For example: `01GYC7B5TR5QR1NE2NRQDPGP0X`. Until [removeIdentity](#remove-identity) is called, this user is used for instantiating chat and push. For example:


```swift
import SinchChatSDK
//...
let currentIdentityType: SinchSDKIdentity = .anonymous

SinchChatSDK.shared.setIdentity(with: {{config}}, identity: .anonymous) { result in }
```

- **Signed session**


In order to create a selfSign identity for user, you need to provide a unique identifier for that user. You can either use an ID, phone number, email address, or other identifier.

Note:
One benefit of using a self-signed session, as opposed to anonymous, is that you can retain your chat history when you remove and then set the same identity.

Below is an example of how to log in using your identifier:


```swift
import SinchChatSDK
//...
let userID = "{your_unique_user_id}" // for example: "user123"

let signedUserID: String = userID.hmac(algorithm: CryptoAlgorithm.SHA512, key: {your_secret})

SinchChatSDK.shared.setIdentity(with: {{config}}, identity: .selfSigned(userId: userID, secret: signedUserID)) { result in }
```

Note:
The **your_secret** value is a secret key provided to you on the Sinch Dashboard when you created Sinch Live Chat app.

Now you can use SDK functionalities like chat or push.

### Remove identity

This method is used to log out users. It removes the token and other user data from the app. After calling this method, you need to call setIdentity again to use the chat and get push notifications. Below is an example of this method:


```swift
SinchChatSDK.shared.removeIdentity { result in

switch result {
case .success():
debugPrint("remove identity success")

case .failure(_):
debugPrint("remove identity error")
}
}
```

The next step is [assign permissions]((/docs/sinch-chat/getting-started/ios/app-permissions/).