Manual WebRTC secure chat

OzChat

Private peer-to-peer encrypted chat and file transfer using local browser technology.

Start connection Open chat Read safety notes
All local/P2P features free Manual signaling App-layer E2EE Group chat planned
Local-first note

OzChat does not upload your messages or files. Connection setup uses WebRTC signaling data that you exchange manually in this local preview.

Pure browser LAN auto-discovery is limited. If a network blocks device-to-device connections, OzChat may not connect.

Offline readiness

Prepare OzChat before going offline

OzChat can open offline only after this app has been loaded and cached on this device. Open or install OzChat before you lose internet access.

Manual setup

Exchange one offer and one answer

Copy the generated signaling JSON through any channel you already trust enough for setup. Messages and files are sent over the WebRTC DataChannel after connection.

Encrypted messages

Send messages after key exchange completes

Messages stay in page memory only. Refreshing or closing the tab clears the local conversation.

Encrypted file transfer

Send small files over the DataChannel

Files are chunked, encrypted, and reconstructed in memory. Download received files before closing the tab.

Connection diagnostics

Understand the current session state

Diagnostics stay local and summarize browser support, connection state, signaling mode, and safety status without exposing messages or keys.

Group / Mesh

Small group mesh is planned, not faked

1:1 remains the stable mode. A full local mesh requires every participant pair to exchange its own Offer/Answer.

Guide

What this local preview can and cannot do

OzChat is useful for direct peer-to-peer experiments, but WebRTC still depends on browser and network behavior.

Manual signaling

  • The static app does not run a signaling server.
  • You copy an Offer to your peer, then paste their Answer back.
  • Future self-hosted signaling would only exchange setup metadata, not messages or files.

Using OzChat without internet

  • Both devices must open, cache, or install OzChat before going offline.
  • Face-to-face QR exchange can move protected Offer/Answer packages without internet.
  • If the network blocks peer-to-peer traffic, offline mode may not be able to connect.

LAN and network limits

  • May work on local networks that allow peer-to-peer connections.
  • AP/client isolation, VPNs, firewalls, or restrictive Wi-Fi can block direct connections.
  • Browsers do not provide a simple general LAN peer discovery API.

Security model

  • Session keys are ephemeral in this local preview.
  • Compare fingerprints over a trusted channel before relying on the session.
  • Do not use for life-critical or high-risk communications without independent review.

Planned local features

  • Mesh group chat up to four people is planned, but not active.
  • Encrypted local history is planned and would require a local passphrase.
  • QR signaling may be added where local QR utilities are available.