Chat without a phone number: how it works on Friendstime
Many messengers ask for your phone number and read your address book. On Friendstime a username and an email address are enough. This page explains how you still find your people and what is protected when you write.
Sign up with a username and email
To create an account you need a username, an email address and a password; the web sign-up form requires at least 12 characters. Friendstime does not ask for a phone number and does not upload your address book. You can join from age 13; under 16 you also need your parents’ consent. If you forget your password, the reset link arrives by email – so keep your mailbox well protected.
Finding people without sharing numbers
Instead of matching your phone book, you search on purpose: from two characters on, the search finds profiles, and “Add” sends a friend request. Under “Discover people” you see suggestions with the number of mutual friends. People you know in person get your private invite link or the QR code from the “Friends” page. If you do not want to be found through search, switch off “Show me in public search” in the privacy settings.
What is protected in the chat
The text of private chats is end-to-end encrypted when both accounts have a key; the server then only stores the encrypted text. The devices exchange the key with the post-quantum method ML-KEM-768, or with RSA-OAEP for accounts without such a key. Voice messages, pictures, videos and files in one-to-one chats are end-to-end encrypted under the same condition (ML-KEM-768 with AES-256-GCM). Calls are currently encrypted in transit only; end-to-end encryption for picture and sound is in a test phase. To deliver messages, the server knows who writes to whom and when.
Calling without a number
You start voice and video calls straight from the chat, including between the browser and the Android app. You do not need a phone number because the connection runs over the internet. On the marketplace, buyers also write to you in the Friendstime chat, and your email address and phone number stay private.
Who may reach you
Without a phone number, your settings decide who can get in touch: under “Privacy” you choose who may send you friend requests (Everyone, Friends of friends or No one) and who may send you messages (Everyone, Friends only or No one). Anyone who harasses you can be blocked from the menu on their profile.
Try it yourself
Signing up takes a minute and is free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a phone number for Friendstime?
No. A username, an email address and a password are enough to sign up. Friendstime does not ask for a phone number.
Does Friendstime upload my address book?
No. You find your contacts through search, through suggestions with mutual friends or by sharing your private invite link.
Can I make calls without a number?
Yes. You start voice and video calls straight from the chat; they run over the internet. They are currently protected in transit only (end-to-end encryption for picture and sound is in a test phase).
How do I get back into my account without a number?
Use “Forgot password”: Friendstime sends a link to your email address. That is why your mailbox deserves a strong password.