Text chat with strangers

Why text chat beats video for many people

Text chat is lower pressure and easier to dip into. There is no camera to worry about, no outfit to plan and no awkward first frame. You can chat from the sofa, the bus or between meetings — completely anonymously.

Because you are not reading faces, the conversation focuses on the words. Many people find text chat conversations are more thoughtful and more personal than video, especially with strangers.

How random text chat works

Press Start and you enter the text queue. The matchmaker pairs you with a compatible stranger — preferring people who share your interests. Your messages are relayed live and are not stored (a reported conversation is saved for review), so the chat is gone the moment you leave.

When you need a change of scene, press Next and you are immediately matched with a new person. It is the fastest way in the world to meet many different people in a single afternoon.

Icebreakers and games to keep it fun

Text chat can stall if neither person has anything to say. That is why we built conversation games into the chat window. Start an icebreaker game and you will both get prompts — questions, challenges and conversation starters that turn an awkward pause into a real exchange.

For inspiration away from the app, our icebreaker question guide has 25 ready-to-use openers, and our etiquette guide covers how to chat with strangers respectfully.

Text chat is completely anonymous

There is no account, no name and no profile photo. A random session id lives only in your browser. If you want to remain fully invisible, text chat is the mode for you — no camera, no mic. Learn more about our privacy-respecting approach on the privacy policy page.

Quiet, fast and easy on your data

Because text carries no video stream, it works anywhere a browser does: on a slow connection, in a busy café, or on a phone with a small data allowance. It is also the most multitasking-friendly mode — you can chat while doing a hundred other things, and a quick message is all a good exchange needs. Our guide to random chat on your phone covers getting the browser chat running on mobile.

Keep a text chat interesting

Words do all the work, so make them count. Open with a question that invites a story rather than a yes-or-no, follow up on what the other person says, and match their energy — short replies to short replies, longer ones when the conversation earns it. The keep a conversation going guide has the full playbook, and icebreaker questions supply the openers.

Keep exploring:
• Talk to strangers
• Random chat
• Anonymous chat
• Chat by interest

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need a camera to use text chat?
  No. Text chat needs only a keyboard. Camera and microphone are never required.
• Are my messages saved?
  No. Text messages are relayed live between you and your partner and are not stored — except that a reported conversation is saved for review.
• Can I switch to video chat later?
  Yes. You can stop the text chat and start a video chat anytime. Both modes are free.