International video chat, done with care

International video chat is simple in theory: you open an app, and a moment later you are talking face to face with someone thousands of kilometres away. In practice, good cross-border calls depend on a few things most apps never explain. Who you can reach, which language you will speak, what time it is on the other side, and how to be polite in a culture you do not know yet.

This page covers all of that for Titli, a live video chat app made in India. Titli is listed in the Social category on Google Play. People use it to make friends, practise a language and, for some adults, to flirt and get to know someone on video. Titli is only for adults aged 18 and over (see our Terms).

Finding people in other countries on Titli

Titli has two main ways to start a call, and they suit international chat differently.

Explore, with the country filter

Explore shows people in Popular and New lists. It starts on India, and its country filter lets you switch to another country and browse people there. Each profile shows a country flag. When you find someone interesting, you can call them or send a message from their profile.

Match, for a surprise

Match connects you with a member of the opposite gender at random for a 1-on-1 video call when you tap to connect. You can add interest filters, such as music, cricket or travel, but Match has no country, age or location filter. It is the place for a surprise rather than a specific country.

Either way, sign-in works from abroad with a Google account. Phone sign-in is built around Indian +91 numbers.

Titli is on Google Play worldwide.

You can also use Titli in a phone or computer browser at titliapp.com.

Language: start in the one you share

Titli works in nine app languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Urdu and Arabic. That covers a lot of conversations between South Asia, the Gulf and the diaspora, but not every language in the world.

Practical tips:

• Ask early. "English okay, or would you prefer Hindi?" is a friendly opener in itself.
• Speak a little slower than usual, especially with accents the other person may not hear often.
• Use messages to bridge gaps. Incoming chat messages can be auto-translated into your language. Calls are not translated, so if a word is lost on video, type it.
• Teach each other. A greeting in each other's language is a lovely way to break the ice.

Our page on Indian languages in Titli lists exactly what is translated in the app.

Etiquette for calls across cultures

Every culture has its own idea of polite. You do not need to know them all; you need to be curious and a little careful.

• Greet before you ask. A hello and your first name go a long way before any question.
• Avoid assumptions. Do not guess someone's religion, politics or income from their country. Let them tell you what they want to share.
• Keep humour gentle. Jokes about nationality or accents land badly, even when meant kindly.
• Dress and frame the call as you would a café chat. A tidy background and good light show respect.
• Mind the hour. If it is late for them, say so and offer to continue another time.
• End kindly. "It was lovely talking to you, I have to go now" is enough. You can end any call at any time.

If you want openers that work across cultures, our list of conversation starters is a good place to start.

Time zones without the headache

India is on IST, five and a half hours ahead of UTC, with no daylight saving. Many other countries change their clocks twice a year, so the gap with India changes too.

• Write times with the zone: "9 pm IST".
• Agree a regular slot once you find a rhythm.
• Send a voice note instead of calling when you know the other person is asleep.

Paying and coins

Titli is free to download. Video calls are billed per minute in coins to the man, and gifts are bought with coins. Coin purchases happen inside the app, and payment options are built mainly for India, such as UPI, cards and netbanking. Match tickets give a free match call for a limited number of seconds, and the daily bonus and simple tasks give free coins.

Safety on international calls

Distance makes verification harder, which is why scammers like to claim they are overseas.

• Never send money or gift cards to someone you met online. Asking for or offering money, payment or meetings outside the app is against our Community Guidelines.
• Be cautious with personal details such as your workplace, address or social handles.
• Do not record others. Recording people without their consent is not allowed.
• Block or report anyone from their profile or chat. Reports are reviewed by moderation.

Our Titli safety page explains moderation, including snapshots captured during video calls with an on-screen indicator.

Frequently asked questions