Text chat with strangers on momos: typing that rides along with video
Updated
Let's be upfront: momos isn't a text-only chat site. Every match is a live 1-on-1 video call, and there's no camera-off mode for strangers. What momos does have is a typed chat box in every call, with GIFs, so you can text and talk at the same time.
If you want pure text, other sites are built for that, and we point to them below. If you're open to video but like having a keyboard handy, read on for how the two fit together and which to reach for in different moments.
Video calls with a chat box built in. 18+.
The honest answer: no text-only mode
When you tap Start on momos, your camera is on and you're matched with one adult on video. If no face is in the frame, automated checks can step in, so keeping the camera covered and typing isn't a workaround.
Typing happens alongside the video, not instead of it. The one place momos is text-only is messaging friends you've added after a call.
How the chat box and camera work together
Spelling things out
Names, game titles and band names are easier to read than to hear through a laptop mic.
Noisy or quiet rooms
If your roommate is asleep or a bus is roaring past, switch to typing for a bit without ending the call.
Reactions in a GIF
Sometimes a GIF says it faster. The chat box lets you send one mid-conversation.
Language gaps
When you match with someone from another country, typing can help where accents or a weak connection get in the way.
When to type and when to talk
| Situation | Typing works well | Talking works well |
|---|---|---|
| Opening line | A quick hi or a GIF while you settle in | A smile and a hello usually land faster |
| Sharing a name or title | Yes, no mishearing | Fine if the audio is clear |
| Telling a story | Slow and flat | Yes, tone and timing carry it |
| Bad connection | Messages still get through | Words may drop out |
| Playing a game | Handy for answers in Quick Quiz | Better for Truth or Dare |
| Saying goodbye | A quick thanks before Next | Also fine, just keep it short |
Text-only sites vs momos
| Typical text chat site | momos | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Usually not needed | Always on during a match |
| Typing | The whole experience | A side chat, GIFs included, during every call |
| Group chat | Often rooms with many people | 1-on-1, or 2-on-2 with Duo mode |
| Staying in touch | Varies by site | Add friends after a call and message them later |
| Sign-in | Varies by site | Google sign-in, 18+ by date of birth |
If you want text without a camera
That's a perfectly good preference, and momos won't be the right fit for it. Chat room sites such as Y99 and Chat Avenue are built mainly around typing, and we've written fair comparisons of both if you want to see the differences.
If you'd like to try a middle ground, start a momos call, keep the chat box open and talk only when you feel like it. Plenty of people warm up to video this way.
What you type can be saved too
A screenshot captures a chat message just as easily as a face. momos doesn't store your video or audio and keeps your email hidden from matches, but anything you type or show could be captured on the other person's device.
Leave out phone numbers, social handles, addresses and school or work names, especially early on. If someone keeps asking for them, block or report them from the call controls.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use momos for text chat only?
No. Strangers always meet on video. Typing is there as a side channel in the call, and friends you've added can be messaged later.
Can I send GIFs in the chat?
Yes. The in-call chat supports GIFs as well as typed messages.
What if I'm too shy for video at first?
Try a camera effect, open a prompt card, or lean on the chat box until you're comfortable. Duo mode also lets a friend sit in with you.
Can I keep texting someone after the call ends?
Yes, once you've added each other. After that, the conversation can carry on in your messages.
Are my messages private?
Your match sees what you type, and they could take a screenshot. Treat chat messages like anything else you share with a stranger.
Does momos cost anything to chat?
No. Video calls and the chat box are free. Coins are only for optional extras like virtual gifts.
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.