Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about hosting, privacy, updates, customisation and media.
Is SelfHostedChat really free?
Yes. The PHP source is downloadable without checkout, licence key or activation. The “buy me a coffee” link is voluntary.
Where are messages stored?
In the SQLite database of your own installation. Media is stored with that installation as well.
Can I modify the PHP source?
Yes. The source is intentionally readable. Keep a record of your changes because you may need to merge them again after a later manual update.
Does SelfHostedChat update itself?
No. There is deliberately no automatic updater. Check this website when you want a newer release, make a backup and update manually.
Do I need MySQL or MariaDB?
No. SelfHostedChat uses PDO SQLite.
Do I need FFmpeg?
Only for video. Text and photos work without FFmpeg and FFprobe.
Can it be installed like an app?
SelfHostedChat supports PWA installation on compatible browsers. Push notifications depend on browser support, HTTPS and the required server capabilities.
Why is .htaccess included?
On Apache it helps block direct web access to the SQLite database and hidden files. Admin includes a protection check.