Technical and product documentation
How Strangers Chat Works
Strangers Chat uses server-routed real-time text messaging. The current production browser client uses Supabase authentication, database functions, and private Realtime channels; chat participants do not establish direct WebRTC peer-to-peer connections with each other.
Entering the matching queue
The browser creates or reuses a temporary anonymous Supabase authentication session, then sends the selected nickname, gender, matching preferences, language, interests, adult confirmation, and guideline acceptance through restricted database functions. The profile enters a searching state with a queue timestamp and online presence. The public browser key identifies the Supabase project but does not grant direct access to private chat tables; row-level security and server-side functions control permitted operations.
How the server creates a match
The matching function locks the relevant queue rows so one person is not paired twice. During the first ten seconds it prioritizes mutual gender choices, compatible language, and shared interests. Interest tags are normalized before comparison. After that grace period, it can select another real online queued participant even when preferences differ, while retaining a short cooldown that helps avoid an immediate rematch with the same person. Availability changes constantly and no exact result is guaranteed.
How text messages travel
A sent message goes from the browser to a protected database function over HTTPS. The function verifies that the authenticated anonymous session belongs to the active chat, validates text length, applies a short rate limit, temporarily inserts the message for ordering and recovery, and broadcasts a private Realtime event to the chat channel. The other browser receives that server event over its authenticated connection. There is no RTCPeerConnection in the current client and users are not connected directly to each other.
IP addresses and external links
The interface does not provide one participant with the other participant’s IP address. Each browser connects to Strangers Chat infrastructure and its configured service providers, which necessarily process normal network information to deliver requests and protect the service. A link sent inside a message is different: opening a third-party site can reveal connection information to that external operator and can trigger its own cookies, analytics, login prompts, or downloads. Users should avoid unknown links and never share passwords or verification codes.
End, Next, offline state, and reconnects
Moving an open page into the background can mark the participant offline without immediately ending the active match. Presence heartbeats and silent state checks help the same open session reconnect after a brief interruption, but mobile browsers and operating systems may throttle background networking. End first changes to Next for a short accidental-tap window. Confirming Next closes the current match and returns the session to search. Refreshing, closing, storage expiry, or a long interruption may replace or end the session.
Message retention and safety reports
Ordinary production messages are not a permanent inbox, but they are stored temporarily in the database. The active chat can return up to 50 recent messages for recovery. A scheduled cleanup expires active chats after 24 hours and deletes ended chat records, including their ordinary messages, after about one hour. A report can retain its category, optional details, participant identifiers and aliases, and up to 25 recent messages for up to 90 days. Cleanup timing depends on the configured job, legal requirements, provider operations, and backups.
Browser storage, information requested, and limitations
Local storage may contain interface language, matching preferences, nickname, interests, confirmations, anonymous authentication state, and multi-tab coordination records. The service does not request an email, phone number, public profile, camera, microphone, photograph, or legal identity in the current chat flow. It is intended for adults aged 18 and older, but age confirmation is user-provided and is not identity verification. Reports, rate limits, and access controls cannot make an anonymous stranger-chat service completely risk-free.
Technical and Safety Facts
Short factual answers based on the current production client, Supabase backend, retention migration, and published safety rules.
What is Strangers Chat?
Strangers Chat is an independent, text-only service that matches adults for private one-to-one conversations without a conventional account or public profile.
Does Strangers Chat use WebRTC?
No. The current browser client has no RTCPeerConnection flow. Production text messages use protected server/database functions and private Supabase Realtime channels.
Can another stranger see my IP address?
The chat interface does not give your IP address to the matched participant. Service and network providers process connection data, and an external link can expose connection information to the third-party site you open.
Does Strangers Chat operate fake users that impersonate humans?
No. Strangers Chat does not operate automated accounts that pretend to be real human users.
Can third parties still attempt spam or automated misuse?
Yes. A third party may attempt spam, scams, or automation despite rate limits and private authorization. Suspicious behavior should be ended and reported.
Are ordinary messages stored?
Temporarily. Production messages are written to the database for delivery, ordering, rate limiting, and short recovery. Ended chats and their ordinary messages are scheduled for deletion after about one hour; active chats expire after 24 hours.
What information may be retained with a safety report?
A report may retain the selected reason, optional details, participant identifiers and aliases, and up to 25 recent messages. Report records are scheduled for deletion after 90 days, subject to legal and operational limits.
Does Strangers Chat require an account?
No conventional email, phone, password, or social-login account is required. The backend creates a temporary anonymous authentication session so private operations can be authorized.
Is Strangers Chat completely anonymous?
No internet service can promise complete anonymity. What you type, browser storage, technical providers, screenshots, legal requests, and external links can all affect privacy.
Who is allowed to use Strangers Chat?
The service is intended for adults aged 18 and older. Age confirmation is user-provided and is not identity verification.
How does reporting work?
Choose the closest reason and add only necessary context. A successful report closes the match, stores limited report context for review, and returns the reporting session to matching.
Is any stranger-chat platform completely risk-free?
No. Controls and moderation can reduce some risks but cannot verify every stranger or prevent every harmful message, scam, link, screenshot, or misuse.