Help Center

Do I need to create an account?

No! You can start using stash.chat immediately without creating an account. Simply visit the homepage and click "Start a private chat" or "Send a one-time video". Accounts are optional and only provide additional features like room management and message history.

How do I send a private message?

Click "Start a private chat" on the homepage, type your message, set an expiration time (optional), and click "Create Link". Share the link with your recipient. The message will self-destruct after being viewed or when it expires.

What happens to my messages?

Messages are automatically deleted from our servers after being viewed or when they expire. This is by design - we don't store your conversations to protect your privacy.

How do I get started with stash.chat?

Getting started is simple! Just visit our homepage and choose what you want to do:

• Send a private message that self-destructs
• Share a one-time video
• Create a private room for group chat
• Join a random live video conversation

No account required for any of these features!

Is stash.chat really private?

Yes! We use end-to-end encryption for private conversations, and messages are automatically deleted after viewing. We don't track your behavior, build profiles, or store your conversations. Our servers never see your plaintext messages.

Can I recover deleted messages?

No, and that's intentional. Messages are permanently deleted after viewing or expiration to ensure your privacy. This is a core feature, not a bug. If you need to keep a message, copy it before the recipient views it.

Do you track my usage?

We only collect minimal analytics for abuse prevention and service improvement. We don't track your behavior, build profiles, or use third-party trackers. Your privacy is our priority.

How does end-to-end encryption work?

For 1:1 conversations, we use end-to-end encryption with secure key exchange. Keys are exchanged through secure channels, and we use QR codes for easy, secure sharing. Your plaintext messages never touch our servers in an unencrypted state.

What data do you collect?

We collect minimal data for service operation:

• IP addresses (for abuse prevention, short-lived)
• Basic usage analytics (anonymized)
• Error logs (for debugging)

We do NOT collect: message content, personal information, behavioral data, or tracking cookies.

How do one-time videos work?

Upload or record a video, set an expiration time, and share the link. The video can only be watched once, then it's automatically deleted from our servers. Perfect for sharing sensitive or temporary content.

Can I create group chats?

Yes! Create a private room and invite others via link or QR code. You can set passwords, expiration times, and control who can join. Rooms support up to 250 participants.

What's Live Video Chat?

Our Live Video feature pairs you with random people for instant video conversations, similar to Omegle. It's completely anonymous and conversations aren't recorded.

What file types are supported for videos?

We support MP4, WebM, and MOV video formats. Maximum file size is 100MB, and recordings are limited to 30 seconds. For best results, use modern browsers that support WebRTC.

Can I set different expiration times?

Yes! You can choose from several options:

• View once: Disappears after first viewing
• 5 minutes: Expires in 5 minutes
• 1 hour: Expires in 1 hour
• 24 hours: Expires in 24 hours
• Custom: Set your own expiration time

How do I invite people to a room?

After creating a room, you'll get a shareable link and QR code. You can:

• Copy and share the link via any messaging app
• Share the QR code for easy mobile access
• Set a password for additional security
• Make the room public for discovery

My message link isn't working

The message may have expired or already been viewed. Check the expiration time you set. If it was set to "view once" and already viewed, the link will no longer work.

I can't join a room

The room may be full, expired, or require a password. Check with the room creator for the correct password and make sure the room hasn't expired.

Video upload is slow

Large video files take time to upload. We support files up to 100MB. For faster uploads, try compressing your video or using a shorter recording.

My camera/microphone isn't working

Make sure you've granted permission for camera and microphone access in your browser. Try refreshing the page or using a different browser. Check that no other applications are using your camera.

I'm having connection issues

Try these steps:

• Check your internet connection
• Try refreshing the page
• Clear your browser cache
• Try a different browser
• Disable VPN if you're using one

The page is loading slowly

This could be due to network issues or server load. Try:

• Wait a few minutes and try again
• Check your internet connection
• Try a different browser
• Clear your browser cache