Grown out of Monkey? A browser-based pick for US adults
Updated
A lot of people first tried face-to-face chat with strangers on Monkey. If you're an adult now and want the same quick, live conversations with other adults, you're probably looking at apps like Monkey that don't depend on an app store listing or a younger crowd.
momos is one option: a free 1-on-1 random video chat site for adults 18 and up in the United States. It opens in the browser you already have, on an iPhone, Android phone, Mac or Windows PC. Below are the situations people usually switch from, a checklist for judging any replacement, and where momos falls short.
Opens in your browser. Free. 18+ only.
If you used Monkey as a teen and you're an adult now
Monkey launched in 2016 as a short video chat app that was popular with teens, and press coverage at the time reported that the video chat company Holla acquired it in 2018. Monkey's own terms set the minimum age at 18, but its reputation as a teen hangout stuck.
Several outlets reported that Apple removed Monkey from the App Store around 2020 over child-safety concerns. Apple did not publish a detailed reason. As of November 2026, reviews say iPhone users reach it through the web instead.
You don't want to hunt for a download
When an app is missing from your phone's store, you end up on lookalike listings or random APK sites. That is a security risk on its own.
You want to talk to other adults
Adults who want a real conversation often say the crowd on teen-leaning apps felt young. That is uncomfortable for everyone, and it is a safety issue.
You want matches that aren't totally random
Pure randomness is fun for ten minutes. After that, most people want a way to meet someone who is into the same things.
If you're on an iPhone
Because momos is a website, there's no store listing to go missing. Open it in Safari, log in through Google, enter your date of birth the first time, and tap Allow when Safari wants your camera and mic. Then tap Start.
The same steps work in Chrome, Edge or Firefox on Android, a Mac or a Windows PC. Tap Next whenever you want someone new.
A five-point checklist for any app like Monkey
- Is there an adults-only rule that's checked at sign-up, not just written in the terms?
- Can you reach report and block during the call, or are they buried in a menu?
- Does the service record video, and can matches see your email or phone number?
- Can you narrow matches by interest or location so you aren't skipping 30 people in a row?
- Are there games or conversation prompts, so you aren't just staring at each other?
How momos scores on that checklist
Age: on your first visit you use a Google account and enter your birthday, and anyone under 18 is blocked. There is no ID check or face scan, so it relies on that date of birth plus reports from other users.
Safety and privacy: report and block sit in the call controls the whole time, one tap each. People review reports, and repeat offenders are banned. momos keeps no recordings of calls, and your email is never shown to matches. The other person could still screen-record, so keep that in mind.
Matching and things to do: pick interests like gaming, anime, music or deep talks, and open one of seven games or a conversation starter card when the talk slows down.
Side by side: Monkey and momos
| Monkey | momos | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Android app and web, per reviews | Web only, any modern browser |
| Minimum age | 18+ per its terms | 18+, under-18 birth dates blocked at sign-up |
| Sign-in | Check its site | Google sign-in |
| Match by location | Check its site | Your state, US, or worldwide |
| Games during calls | Check its site | 7 built-in games |
| Cost | Free with paid extras, per its listing | Free video chat; optional Coins for extras |
Your state, the whole US, or the world
momos's match area setting has three choices. United States is the default, so most matches share your references and are awake around the same hours. My state narrows it further, which helps late on a weeknight when you'd rather not match with someone three time zones away. Worldwide opens it up when you want variety.
Where momos falls short
There's no native app, so you won't find momos in the App Store or Google Play. It isn't a dating app, a teen hangout or a place for adult content. If you want a swipe-and-match dating profile, a dating app will serve you better.
It also won't suit you if you want to stay off camera. Every match is a live video call, and automated checks may end or blur a call when no face is visible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monkey still on the App Store in the US?
Several outlets reported that Apple removed it around 2020, and as of November 2026 reviews say iPhone users reach it on the web. Check the App Store yourself for its current status. momos doesn't need either store.
Can a 17-year-old sign up for momos?
No. If the date of birth entered at first sign-in shows someone is under 18, they are blocked. momos doesn't check ID, so people who lie about their age can be reported and banned.
What do I need on my phone to use momos?
A recent version of Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox, a Google account, and camera and mic access allowed in your browser.
Can I match only with people in my state?
Yes. Set your match area to My state. You can switch back to the whole United States (the default) or Worldwide any time.
Does momos save my calls?
No. momos never saves your video or audio. Your match, though, could screen-record on their own device, so don't show anything you wouldn't want saved.
What do Coins buy on momos?
Virtual gifts, a time-limited gender filter pass and a few extras. Video chat itself is free. You can earn Coins by chatting, keeping daily streaks, inviting friends and playing, or buy them.
Adults only. Never recorded.
momos is for people 18 and older. We don't record or store calls, and report and block are always one tap away. See the safety center.