chta.

chta / private chat

Chat with people you know.

Share messages, photos, videos, audio, and files with friends whose identities you have checked. Start in your browser and bring your identity with you using your recovery words.

Open chat How to begin

Available on Web, Windows desktop, and Android.

Getting started

From first visit to first chat

You and your friend each need an identity. Plan a moment to compare fingerprints through a channel you already trust.

  1. Create or restore your identity

    Open the app and choose Create new identity. If you already have one, choose Restore identity and enter its 24 word recovery phrase.

  2. Save your recovery words

    Write down all 24 words in order and complete the confirmation in the app. Anyone with those words can unlock your identity, so do not send them to a friend.

  3. Set up your profile

    Open Profile to add a display name and, if you like, a photo. Your friend will see these when you share your contact card.

  4. Add a verified friend

    Exchange contact cards in Contacts, by QR code or by copying the card. Compare the fingerprint with your friend before you confirm it. If they see a Review request, they need to approve you too.

  5. Open the conversation

    Choose your friend in Chats and keep both apps open while they connect. Type a message or use the attachment button to choose media and files. Messages support Markdown formatting.

Once you're connected

How a chat connects

Open your friend's chat to send a message. The connection shown in the app tells you how it is reaching them.

Direct

Your devices connect to each other. Both people need to be online for a Direct connection. Some networks block it; keep both apps open and try again if it does not connect.

Relay

A reachable public relay can carry encrypted chat when Direct is unavailable. In Connect, scan a relay QR code or use a public relay shared in your contact card. A relay route still needs to be reachable.

Files

Files up to 25 MiB can use the relay. Larger files, up to 10 GiB, wait for Direct and can resume after an interruption. Browser storage limits and available disk space still apply.

The discovery seed helps friends find each other and exchange connection signals. It does not store your messages or files.

Keep access

Changing device or browser?

Your browser keeps local app data under the site address where you used it. Data from another address will not appear here automatically. Your 24 word recovery phrase restores your identity keys. Contacts and chat history stay on each device, so keep any files you need separately.