Knowledge Base

Help Center & FAQs

Got questions about verification, camera permissions, or how matching works? Find quick answers below.

Getting Started & Verification

How do I sign up and verify my student status?

Enter your official college-issued email (e.g., student@college.edu or .ac.in) on the sign-in modal. We send a secure one-time verification link or code. Once verified, you're immediately approved to chat.

What if my Indian college doesn't provide a .ac.in or .edu email?

We regularly add university domains to our verification whitelist. Reach out to support@hallwaychat.online with your college name and student ID card photo, and our team will verify your account.

Is Hallway 100% free for students?

Yes! Hallway 1-on-1 video matching, text chat, collaborative code editor, and campus filtering are completely free for all verified students.

Audio, Video & Troubleshooting

My camera or microphone isn't turning on. How do I fix it?

Ensure you've granted browser permissions. In Chrome or Safari: click the padlock/settings icon in the URL bar → Site Settings → set Camera and Microphone to Allow, then refresh the page.

Why am I not getting matched immediately?

Matching speed depends on how many specific interest tags you have selected. Try selecting popular tags like "General Chitchat", "Engineering & Tech", or "Bored in Hostel" to widen your peer queue.

Are video calls recorded on Hallway servers?

Never. Hallway establishes peer-to-peer WebRTC connections directly between the two users' browsers. Video and audio streams never pass through or get stored on our servers.

Need more assistance? Check out our Safety Guidelines or write to support@hallwaychat.online.