Camera and Microphone
When you start a video chat, your browser asks whether Online Chat may use your camera and microphone. Choose Allow for both. If no question appears:
- Look for a camera icon in the address bar and set it to Allow, then reload the page.
- On iPhone, check Settings › Safari › Camera and Microphone; on Android, check the browser's site settings.
- Close other apps or tabs that may be using the camera.
- Update your browser. Chrome, Safari and Edge in a recent version all work.
The other person can't see or hear me
Check that your camera and microphone buttons in the call are on; they can be switched off during a call. On a phone, the flip button changes between the front and back camera, so make sure the front one is selected. If the picture freezes or the sound cuts out, your connection is usually the cause: move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Using Online Chat on a phone
Online Chat runs in your phone's browser, so there is nothing to install. If you would like it one tap away, use your browser's Add to Home Screen option and it will open like an app.
Guest Chats and Accounts
You don't need an account to start. A guest session is created when you open the page, and as a guest you can match, pick someone from the online list, video chat, watch live streams and type in their chat, and follow people.
Buying coins, the wallet and settings need you to log in with your email. If you clear your browser data, a guest session that was never linked to an email can't be recovered.
You can delete your account from your settings, or ask us to delete it through the contact page. The Privacy Policy explains what has to be kept for a while afterwards, for example for payment records.
Matching, Live Streams and Following
- Random match: tap Start Chatting and you are paired with someone who is online. Next unlocks after a short countdown.
- Pick someone: open See Who's Online and start a video chat with the person you choose.
- Live streams: open Live to watch hosts broadcast and type in the stream's chat.
- Following: tap Follow on someone you enjoyed talking to; she will be in your follow list next time.
Before a random call connects you see a short preview of your match: join right away, wait for the countdown to join for you, or skip. If the other person leaves while the call is connecting, you are matched again automatically. Matching depends on who is online at that moment, so it can take a little longer at quiet times; keep the page open and it keeps looking.
Some live streams are kept for followers, need a ticket, or are open only to members who have bought coins; the stream tells you what it needs before you enter.
Coins and Billing
Free video matches are handed out every day; the system decides how many you get. After that, calls are paid with coins you buy first. A random match costs a set number of coins, shown on the Start button, and VIP members pay less. Calling a specific person directly costs her own price, shown in the app. A notice appears in the call before billing starts.
To buy coins, log in, open your wallet and choose a coin pack; you then pay on the payment provider's own page. Payments are handled by that provider; Online Chat never sees your card number. VIP membership is optional: matching, calling and messaging all work without it. If something looks wrong with a payment, keep the receipt and contact us.
Reports and Blocks
You can report someone right in the call, or from their profile, a chat or a live stream: pick a reason, add details and, if you like, screenshots. Every report is reviewed by a person.
A block works immediately: that person can't reach you again. If you change your mind, you can undo a block from your block list.
Removed Accounts
Accounts that break the community guidelines can be suspended or removed, depending on what happened. Opening a new account to get around a removal is not allowed. If you think your account was suspended by mistake, contact us with the email account you used and roughly when it happened, and a person will look at it.
Still Need Help?
The contact page lists the quickest route for reports, payments and account requests. For staying safe with strangers, see the Safety Center.