Quick check: Keep ChatCamp open on both devices, connect them to the same Wi‑Fi or Personal Hotspot, and allow Local Network access.
Getting started
How to Use ChatCamp
- Connect to Wi‑Fi: Make sure all devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network
- Open the app: Launch ChatCamp on each device
- Discover nearby devices: Wait a few seconds for devices to appear in the list
- Start chatting: Tap on a device name to open a chat
- Send messages: Type and send text, photos, videos, or files
Common questions
Why can't I see other devices?
Answer: Make sure:
- All devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network
- Both devices have ChatCamp open and running
- You've granted Local Network permission (Settings → ChatCamp)
- Your router allows peer-to-peer connections (some public Wi‑Fi networks block this)
- Airplane mode is off and Wi‑Fi is on
Does ChatCamp work without internet?
Answer: Yes. ChatCamp works on your local Wi‑Fi network and doesn't require an internet connection. You still need a Wi‑Fi router or Personal Hotspot to create the local network.
Can I message someone far away?
Answer: No. ChatCamp is designed for local, nearby communication. Both devices must be on the same network, so conversations do not rely on a cloud messaging server.
Is ChatCamp secure?
Answer: Peer-to-peer connections use Apple’s Multipeer Connectivity encryption. ChatCamp has no central messaging server, and conversation history remains on participating devices.
Will my messages sync across my devices?
Answer: No. Messages are stored locally on each participating device. ChatCamp does not use cloud sync or cloud backups.
How do I delete my conversations?
Answer: In the chat list, swipe left on a conversation (iOS) or right-click (macOS) and select "Delete". You can also clear all conversations in Settings.
Why do I need Local Network permission?
Answer: ChatCamp uses Apple's MultipeerConnectivity framework to discover nearby devices on your network. This requires Local Network permission. We don't track you or collect any data—it's purely for device discovery.
Can I use ChatCamp on mobile data?
Answer: You can create a Personal Hotspot on one device and connect other devices to it. ChatCamp will work over the hotspot connection.
What file types can I share?
Answer: You can share any file type! Photos, videos, PDFs, documents, archives—ChatCamp supports all file formats.
Is there a file size limit?
Answer: There's no artificial limit imposed by ChatCamp. Large files may take longer to transfer depending on your network speed.
Troubleshooting
Devices Not Connecting
- Restart ChatCamp on both devices
- Toggle Wi‑Fi off and on
- Restart your Wi‑Fi router
- Check that Local Network permission is enabled
- Try moving devices closer to the router
Messages Not Sending
- Check that the other device still shows as "Connected"
- If status shows "Offline," wait for automatic reconnection
- Exit and reopen the chat
- Ensure both devices are still on the same network
App Crashes or Freezes
- Make sure you're running the latest version of ChatCamp
- Restart your device
- If problem persists, contact us with details
Privacy & data
ChatCamp takes your privacy seriously:
- No account: The app requires no email address or phone number
- No cloud messaging server: Communication is peer-to-peer
- Local history: Conversations remain on participating devices
- No app analytics: No analytics SDK, ads, or ad tracking
Read our full Privacy Policy
System requirements
- iOS/iPadOS: Version 17.0 or later
- macOS: Version 14.0 or later
- Network: Wi‑Fi or Personal Hotspot
- Permissions: Local Network access
Contact us
Have a question or need help? Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Your message and contact details are submitted to FormCare so we can reply.
Other Ways to Reach Us
Email: alexander@polozhevets.com
Website: https://chat.camp
Company: Polozhevets OÜ (Estonia, EU)
When contacting us, please include:
- Device type (iPhone, iPad, Mac) and OS version
- ChatCamp version (found in Settings)
- Detailed description of the issue
- Steps to reproduce (if applicable)