Frequently asked questions
Talklio is a free, browser-based private chat for up to five people. You don't need a phone number or email, messages are end-to-end encrypted, everything deletes after 24 hours, and each space closes after 30 days. Here are straight answers to the questions people ask most.
Can't find your question? Email hello@talklio.app and a real person will get back to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is Talklio?
Talklio is a free, anonymous chat app that works in your web browser. One person creates a private space, adds up to five people with their own passwords, and shares a single link. Every chat is end-to-end encrypted, messages delete after 24 hours, and the space closes after 30 days.
Is Talklio free?
Yes, completely. There are no ads, no subscriptions and no paid tier. Because we delete everything quickly, the service costs very little to run.
Do I need to create an account?
No. There's no account, no email and no phone number. The owner sets a name and password for themselves and for each person they invite. That's the only "sign-up".
Is Talklio anonymous?
We don't ask who you are, and you can use any name you like. Nothing in Talklio is linked to your phone number, email or social media. Like every website, our servers briefly see your IP address while you're connected, but we don't attach it to your messages or keep it.
Is Talklio a group chat?
No. Each person in a space gets their own private chat with the owner. Guests can't read each other's messages. If you want a group conversation, Talklio isn't the right tool, and that's fine.
How many people can be in a space?
The owner plus up to five people. The owner can add or remove people at any time while the space is open.
How long do messages last?
Exactly 24 hours from when they were sent. After that they're deleted from our servers and disappear from everyone's screen. Photos, voice notes and call history entries follow the same rule.
What happens after 30 days?
The space closes automatically. Everyone in it, all passwords, any remaining messages and the link itself are deleted for good. The owner can make a new space whenever they like.
Can Talklio read my messages?
No. Messages are encrypted on your device using a key that lives in your link after the # sign, and that part of a link never reaches a web server. We store only encrypted data and can't open it. The security page explains exactly how.
Can I save or export my chats?
No, and that's the point. There's no export, no backup and no chat history beyond 24 hours. If you want to keep something, copy it somewhere yourself, but think about whether the other person would be OK with that.
Can the other person screenshot my messages?
Yes. No app can stop someone photographing their own screen. Only share things you'd be comfortable with the other person keeping.
Does Talklio work on iPhone?
Yes. It works in Safari and other iPhone browsers. For notifications, add Talklio to your Home Screen (Share, then Add to Home Screen), open it from there, paste your link and switch notifications on. This is how Apple handles notifications for web apps.
Does Talklio work on Android, Mac and Windows?
Yes. Talklio runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Samsung Internet and other modern browsers. On Android and desktop you can install it as an app from the browser menu and turn notifications on directly.
What features does Talklio have?
Messages, photos, voice notes, voice and video calls, replies, emoji reactions, highlights, read receipts, typing indicators and notifications. See them all, with screenshots, on the features page.
Can I make voice and video calls?
Yes. Tap the phone or camera icon at the top of a chat. Calls are encrypted between devices. If the other person isn't in the app, they'll get a notification saying you're calling (if they've switched notifications on).
Can I send photos and voice notes?
Yes. Photos are compressed and encrypted before sending. Voice notes can be up to three minutes long. Both vanish after 24 hours like everything else. File attachments like PDFs aren't supported.
What if I forget my password?
If you're a guest, ask the owner to set a new one from the People screen. If you're the owner, there's no reset. Nobody else holds your key, which is exactly what keeps it private. Your space will close on its own after 30 days.
What if I lose the link?
Any device where you've opened it before remembers it. Go to talklio.app/app on that device. Otherwise, ask the owner to send it again. If the owner has lost it everywhere, the space can't be recovered.
Can someone guess their way into my space?
It's very unlikely. The link contains a random ID and a 256-bit key, and each person also needs their own password. After several wrong passwords, that name gets locked for a while, and logins are rate-limited.
Is Talklio safe for children?
Talklio is for adults only. Everyone confirms they're 18 or over before creating or joining a space.
How do I report someone?
Long-press (or right-click) a message and tap Report, or open your settings and tap Report this space. Reports go to our safety team. Because chats are encrypted, we only see what you choose to include. You can also email safety@talklio.app. See the Safety center for more.
How do I block someone?
If you're the owner, remove them from the People screen and their chat is deleted instantly. If you're a guest, tap your avatar and choose Leave and delete my chat.
Why does Talklio delete everything?
Two reasons. Things that don't exist can't leak, get hacked or be screenshotted from a backup years later. And deleting quickly keeps the service light enough to run for free.
Who makes Talklio?
A small independent team who wanted a gentler way to step back from social media. Read more on the About page.