Your first random video chat: what to expect and how to enjoy it

What happens when you tap Start

On your first visit to momos you use a Google account and type in your birthday. Under-18s are blocked. After that, you tap Start and get matched 1-on-1 with another adult who is online right now. Your email is never shown to the person you meet.

The call opens with both cameras on. If the vibe is off, tap Next and you are matched with someone new in a moment. There is no penalty for skipping, and nobody gets a notification explaining why. People skip constantly, so do not take it personally when it happens to you.

Set up in two minutes before your first call

A little prep makes your first calls much less awkward. You do not need special gear. Any phone or laptop whose camera works, plus a steady internet connection, will do.

• Open momos in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. There is no app to download.
• Say yes when the browser pops up asking to use your camera and mic.
• Put the light source in front of you, like a window or a lamp, never behind you.
• Pick a few interests, like gaming, movies or travel, so you meet people into the same things.
• Choose your match area: My state, United States (the default) or Worldwide.
• Glance at the wall and shelves behind you. Move mail, photos and anything with your address out of frame.

What to say in the first ten seconds

The first few seconds decide most calls. A smile and a simple, specific opener beat a generic "hey" every time. Try something you can see or something about where you are: "Is that a Steelers mug?" or "I'm in Denver and it just started snowing, where are you?"

If you freeze, use the conversation starter cards inside the call. They give you a ready-made question so you are never stuck staring at each other. You can also open a quick game like Rock Paper Scissors or This or That to break the ice without any small talk.

Good habits from day one

Treat the other person like someone you just met at a coffee shop. Be curious, keep it light, and let the conversation go where it wants. Ask follow-up questions instead of jumping topics. If the conversation clicks, send a friend request once it ends and keep chatting by message.

Keep personal details to yourself until you genuinely trust someone. That means no last name, workplace, school, home address or social handles in your first chats. A friendly stranger does not need them.

If something feels wrong

You are always in control. The report and block buttons sit right in the call bar, one tap each. Reports are reviewed by people, and repeat offenders get banned. If someone is rude, pushy or does anything sexual, do not argue. Just report, block and move on. You do not owe anyone an explanation.

momos keeps no copy of your calls, but the other person could screen-record, so act as if anything you show on camera could be saved.

Quick reference for your first session