Help and safety
Need to talk to someone right now?
If you're in danger, call your local emergency number (911 in Canada and the US).
- Canada: call or text 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), any time.
- United States: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
- Under 18 in Canada: Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
- Anywhere else: findahelpline.com lists free helplines in your country.
How to use Always Somebody
- Tap Start talking. Pick a few interests if you like. They help us find somebody who likes the same things.
- Near me first looks close to you, then wider if nobody is around. Anywhere matches you with the whole world.
- Say hi. Stuck for words? Tap Ask it on the icebreaker.
- Tap Next (or press Esc on a keyboard) to move on to somebody new.
- Tap Save if you click with someone. If they save you too, you become friends and can message each other from Friends any time, even when one of you is offline.
Staying safe
- You're anonymous. People only see "Somebody" and your province or state and country, never your city.
- Don't share your full name, address, school or workplace with someone you just met.
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you met online, whatever the story.
- Be careful with links. We don't make links clickable for a reason.
- If something feels off, it probably is. Tap ··· then Report or Block.
Report or Block: what's the difference?
Block ends the chat and makes sure you're never matched again. Report does the same and also counts against them. When several different people report someone, they get kept apart from everyone else and then paused.
Common questions
Do I need an account?
No. Your browser remembers you with a random code, so you don't have to sign up. If you clear your browser data or switch devices, your friends list won't come with you.
Are my chats saved?
Chats with strangers aren't stored anywhere. They disappear when the chat ends. Messages between friends are kept for up to 90 days so you can read them later.
Why did it match me with somebody far away?
If nobody is free near you, we widen the search after a few seconds so you're not left waiting. Choose a busier time, or pick Anywhere to go global straight away.
Is there voice or video?
Not yet. Text chat comes first. Voice and video are planned, and they'll only ever start when both people agree.