Video chat
Face-to-Face Chat With Strangers in Your Browser
Face to face chat with strangers means a live video conversation where you both see each other, not just trade messages. Omlet does exactly that in your browser: press Start and you're on camera with a random adult, with no phone number, contact list or account involved.
If you searched for a way to FaceTime random people, here's the key difference. FaceTime is Apple's calling app for people you already know. Omlet is a separate, independent service that matches you with strangers. Below: how the two compare, how to use Omlet on an iPhone, and how to make a good first impression on camera.
FaceTime and Omlet: different tools for different calls
Both put you face to face on video, but they solve different problems. FaceTime connects you with people you choose. Omlet connects you with someone new each time.
| Feature | FaceTime | Omlet |
|---|---|---|
| Who you talk to | People you choose, usually from your contacts | A random adult who is also looking to chat |
| How you connect | Using their phone number or email address | Press Start; no number or email needed |
| What you need | An Apple device and an Apple Account to place calls | A modern browser on any phone, tablet or computer |
| What the other person sees | Your number or email, like caller ID | Your video, your egg avatar and your country flag |
| Moving on | End the call | Press Next to meet someone new |
FaceTime is a trademark of Apple Inc. Omlet is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple.
Why not just FaceTime a stranger?
To FaceTime someone, one of you has to hand over a phone number or email address. Giving that to a person you met minutes ago is a big step: those details are often linked to your real name, your messaging apps and your other accounts, and you can't take them back.
Omlet keeps that separation. We don't ask for your name, email address or phone number, and the other person never sees them unless you share them. One honest caveat: the peer-to-peer call connection can share your IP address with your chat partner, which usually points to a rough area rather than your home. A VPN hides it if that matters to you.
Seeing someone new on your iPhone
There's no Omlet app to download. It runs in Safari, and you can keep it on your home screen like an app.
- Open Safari and go to omlet.site.
- Confirm you're 18 or older and pick your egg avatar.
- Press Start and allow camera and microphone access when Safari asks.
- Prop your phone up at eye level so your hands are free.
- Optional: tap Share, then Add to Home Screen, so Omlet opens full screen with one tap.
For details and fixes, see our pages on random video chat on iPhone, installing a web app on iPhone and, for a bigger screen, video chat on iPad and tablets.
The first ten seconds of a face-to-face chat
Knowing what happens when you connect makes the start feel less awkward.
- A brief blur. The other person's video shows "Safety check…" for up to about four seconds while an on-device check runs. They see the same on your side.
- Then you see each other. Their country flag is on screen, which makes an easy first question.
- Text runs alongside. You can type a hello, add an emoji, or keep talking in text if audio is patchy.
- You're in control. Mute your mic, turn your camera off, mute your partner, press Next to move on or Stop (Esc on a keyboard) to end.
Prefer to understand the basic flow first? Our random video call page covers Start, Next and Stop in more detail.
Making a good first impression on camera
On video, you make an impression before you say a word. A few small adjustments help a lot.
- Light from the front. Face a window or lamp; avoid a bright window behind you.
- Camera at eye level. Looking down into a phone on a table is the least flattering angle there is.
- Look at the lens when you talk. It reads as eye contact on their screen.
- Smile and speak first. A warm "Hi, where are you calling from?" beats waiting in silence.
- Earbuds help. They cut echo and make your voice clearer.
For more, read how to make a good first impression on video.
Before you press Start, open your camera app and look at yourself for five seconds. Fix the light and angle once, and every chat that night benefits.
Seeing a face isn't the same as knowing someone
Video makes people feel familiar fast. Keep a little caution while you get to know someone.
- Everyone confirms they're 18 or older, but it's self-declared. Report anyone who seems under 18.
- A video feed can be pre-recorded or looped. If something feels staged, skip.
- Omlet doesn't record calls, but the other person could record their screen. Don't show anything you wouldn't want saved.
- Swapping phone numbers after a great chat is your choice, but it's the same step FaceTime would have required. Take your time with it.
If someone breaks the rules, use the flag button on their video to report them. You'll skip to someone new right away, and moderators review the report.