Make your first connection.
Find someone you know, send a hello, and get comfortable with the basics.
Before you begin
These examples focus on everyday messaging. The position and names of buttons may change with app updates, so look for the matching feature in your version of KakaoTalk.
Find or add a friend
Open the app's friends area and look for someone you know. If you need to add a person, use an available add-friend method such as their KakaoTalk ID or QR code, after confirming the details with them.
Contact access and friend-discovery settings can affect who appears. Only share your number or profile information with people you intend to connect with.
Send a simple message
Open the person's profile or an existing conversation and choose a one-to-one chat. Type a short message in the message field, check the recipient, and tap the send control.
A first message can be as simple as: “Hello, this is Alex.” The conversations shown in this guide are illustrations, not real messages.
Share a photo when you are ready
Use the attachment or photo option in the conversation. Choose the photo you intend to share, review it, and use the app's send control.
Before sending a photo, check for private information such as addresses, documents, or other people's details. Grant only the photo access you want to allow.
Make the app comfortable
Explore KakaoTalk's settings for notifications and display. Adjust available text-size or chat-notification options to suit you. Your phone also has its own text-size and accessibility settings.
Change one setting at a time so you can see what it does. The text-size button on this website changes the guide, not KakaoTalk itself.
Questions, answered.
Why is someone missing from my friends list?
Friend-discovery settings, contact permissions, and the other person's settings may affect the list. Ask the person for the add-friend method they prefer and check the app's current help if you need more detail.
Can I make voice or video calls?
KakaoTalk includes internet calling features. Look for the available call option in the person's profile or conversation. Your internet connection and mobile data plan still matter.
Does the guide's text-size button enlarge KakaoTalk?
No. It enlarges this website only. To change KakaoTalk, use its display settings or the accessibility settings on your own phone.
Official references
KakaoTalk service overview