In short: Text chat with strangers on OneVideoChat is a private one-to-one typed conversation with a randomly matched person, with no camera or microphone involved.
Random text chat, one stranger at a time
Press start and the matcher finds someone else who picked text. That’s it. You get a private window with one person in it, so nobody is talking over anybody and you can actually follow the thread.
When the chat runs dry, skip. The next match starts from zero: no friend list, no profile, no history carried over. If you’d rather hear the person on the other side, voice chat works the same way with audio.
Why text strangers instead of video?
Typing is low pressure. You can think before you answer. Nobody sees your room or hears your accent, and you can keep chatting on a quiet train or in a shared bedroom where talking out loud would be awkward.
A lot of people use text as a warm-up. They get a feel for random matching here, then move on to video once they’re comfortable. Our guide to talking to strangers covers that side of things.
How to text a random person well
Most chats are decided in the first line. Ask something easy: where they are, what they’re doing tonight, what song is stuck in their head. Keep the early messages short. Three paragraphs about yourself in minute one reads like a script.
Keep personal details out of it. A first name is plenty. If someone keeps asking for your number, your socials or where you live, leave the chat and report them. There’s more on this in is random video chat safe?
Free to start, works in any browser
It runs in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge, on phones and computers, with nothing to install. Starting is free. Longer chats and extras run on coins.
Questions people ask
Do I need a camera or microphone for text chat?
No. Text mode never turns on your camera or microphone. You only type.
Is text chat with strangers free?
You can start for free. Text includes free messages; longer chats and extras use coins.
Is it one-on-one or a group chat room?
One-on-one. Each match is a private conversation between you and one other person.
Do I have to register first?
There is no sign-up form before your first chat. You can sign in with an account later if you want to.
Can I switch from text to voice or video?
Yes. Text, voice and video are separate modes, and you can pick another one from the match screen whenever you like.
What should I never share in a text chat?
Your phone number, address, social media handles, school or workplace, and any photo you wouldn’t want copied.