Question 1

Do I need to create an account to use ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

No. ShooChat has no accounts, no sign-ups, and no user data collection. Just open the site and start chatting privately.

Question 2

Can ShooChat read my messages?

Accepted Answer

No. Messages are encrypted with AES-256-GCM in your browser before being sent peer-to-peer. ShooChat never sees, stores, or processes the content of your conversations.

Question 3

What happens when I close the ShooChat tab?

Accepted Answer

Everything is gone. Messages exist only in your browser's memory (RAM). Closing the tab or refreshing the page erases all data permanently. There is no database, no local storage, and no cookies.

Question 4

How is ShooChat different from WhatsApp or Signal?

Accepted Answer

ShooChat stores absolutely nothing — no message history, no contact list, no phone number. It's designed for truly ephemeral conversations with zero persistence. Messages travel directly between browsers via WebRTC.

Question 5

Is ShooChat free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ShooChat is completely free. It runs peer-to-peer with no backend infrastructure, so there's nothing to charge for.

Question 6

Do both people need to be online at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since messages aren't stored anywhere, both participants must be connected at the same time. This is by design — it means no server ever holds your messages.

Question 7

What is the ShooChat room passphrase?

Accepted Answer

The passphrase is an optional extra layer of security. When set, both users must enter the exact same passphrase to connect. It's verified cryptographically using HMAC-SHA256 — if the passphrases don't match, the connection is refused.

Question 8

Can I send files through ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat supports encrypted file sharing up to 50 MB. Files are split into chunks, encrypted with AES-256-GCM, and sent directly to your peer. You get a full-screen preview before sending, and images and videos can be viewed in a lightbox.

Question 9

Does ShooChat support self-destructing messages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can set a timer from 10 seconds to 1 hour. Messages automatically delete from both sides when the timer expires.

Question 10

Does ShooChat have group chat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Create a group room and share the code with multiple people. Group chat uses a star topology where the host relays encrypted messages between peers.

Question 11

Can I edit or delete messages on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can edit or delete any message you sent. Changes are reflected on both sides in real-time.

Question 12

What is the privacy screen feature on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

ShooChat can automatically blur the chat when you switch tabs. You can optionally require your room passphrase to view the chat again, protecting against someone else seeing your conversation.

Question 13

Does ShooChat have emoji reactions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can react to any message with emoji. Quick-react with a single tap from the reaction bar, or pick any emoji from the full picker.

Question 14

What is the Meet with a secret code feature on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

It lets two people connect without sharing a link through another app. Both agree on a secret word beforehand, then each types it on ShooChat. The first person waits, the second connects automatically. The code acts as a passphrase to prevent strangers from joining.

Question 15

Does ShooChat support video calls?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat supports encrypted 1-on-1 video and audio calls. Tap the phone or video icon in the chat header to start a call. Everything is peer-to-peer over WebRTC SRTP — no call servers, no recordings, fully encrypted. Includes mute, camera toggle, and picture-in-picture local video.

Question 16

Can I share my screen on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. During a 1-on-1 call you can share your screen. It uses the same WebRTC peer-to-peer channel as video — nothing passes through a server, no plugin or app download required. Just a modern browser.

Question 17

Can I send voice messages on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tap the microphone button in the message toolbar to record a voice clip and send it. Voice messages are encrypted with AES-256-GCM and transferred peer-to-peer just like files. Your peer gets a native audio player inline in the chat bubble.

Question 18

How is ShooChat different from Telegram?

Accepted Answer

Telegram stores your message history on its servers by default. ShooChat stores nothing — messages exist only in your browser's RAM while the tab is open. ShooChat also requires no account, no phone number, and no app install. Telegram's secret chats are device-to-device but still require an account tied to a phone number. ShooChat is fully anonymous by design.

Question 19

Does ShooChat have a mobile app?

Accepted Answer

ShooChat works in any mobile browser and can be installed as a PWA (Progressive Web App) from your browser's menu — no App Store or Play Store required. Add it to your home screen for a full-screen app experience. This keeps it fully anonymous: no developer identity, no store policy, no traceable install.

Question 20

What is the ShooChat Waiting Pool?

Accepted Answer

It's an anonymous public notice board — post a short note so someone waiting for you can find it without a link or messaging app. You can add a password-protected inner note, or attach a fully encrypted chat invite that lets the reader join your room instantly once they unlock it. Notes auto-expire after 24 hours.

Question 21

Can I open more than one ShooChat conversation at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat supports multiple simultaneous rooms with a tab bar. Every room's connection stays alive in the background so you can switch between conversations without losing any of them.

Question 22

Does ShooChat have a contact book?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat has a local contact book that saves a peer's ID and nickname on your own device so you can start a chat with them again later. It's never uploaded or synced anywhere.

Question 23

Can I forward a message or search a conversation in ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any message can be forwarded straight into another room you already have open. The search icon in the chat header lets you filter and jump to a specific message without scrolling through the whole conversation.

Question 24

Can someone reply to my ShooChat Waiting Pool note?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your reader unlocks your private inner note, they can send one encrypted reply back, decryptable only with the same password. It's one response only — the first reply locks the note. You get a browser notification the moment it arrives, if notifications are enabled.

Question 25

Can I take a photo directly in a ShooChat conversation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tap the camera icon in the attach menu to open your device's camera and snap a photo without leaving the browser or using a native file picker. It's encrypted with AES-256-GCM and sent just like any other file.

Question 26

Is ShooChat a secret chat app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat works as a secret chat — there's no account, no message history, and no way for anyone else to find or read a conversation after it ends. Each room only exists for the two people who have the code, and it disappears the moment either tab closes.

Question 27

Can I have an anonymous chat without an account on ShooChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ShooChat never asks for an email, phone number, or real name. Pick a display name (or leave it blank), share a room code, and you're chatting anonymously — nothing ties the conversation back to your identity.

Question 28

Is ShooChat truly untraceable, with no trace left behind?

Accepted Answer

As far as ShooChat's own systems go, yes — there's no database, no logs of message content, and no local storage or cookies recording what was said. Messages exist only in your browser's RAM and are gone the instant you close the tab, so there's nothing on ShooChat's side to trace. (Your own device, browser history, or network provider may still record that you visited the site — ShooChat can't erase those.)