Tango is a messaging and calling app that lets you text, call, and share video over the internet

Tango is a free app you download to your phone that works like a combination of text messaging, voice calling, and video chat — all in one place. Instead of using your phone's regular cellular network, Tango sends messages and calls over your internet connection (WiFi or mobile data). You need a Tango account to use it, and the person you're contacting needs the app installed too.

The app was created in 2009 and became popular as a cheaper alternative to international calling and texting, especially for people with family or friends in other countries. Tango was acquired by a Chinese company called Kakao in 2014, and the service has continued operating since then, though it's less widely used now than it was in its early years.

Key Takeaways

  • Tango works over WiFi or mobile data, not through your phone's regular cellular plan, so you only pay for internet.
  • Both people in a conversation need to have Tango installed and an account set up before you can message or call them.
  • The app includes text messaging, voice calls, and video calls all in one interface, similar to WhatsApp or Viber.
  • Tango is owned by Kakao, a South Korean company, and your account data is processed according to their privacy policies.

How messaging and calling work in Tango

When you open Tango, you see a contact list of people who also have the app. You can send text messages to any of them instantly — the messages go through Tango's servers, not your phone company. If you want to call someone, you tap their name and choose voice call or video call. The call connects over the internet, so as long as both of you have a working connection, the call goes through.

One difference from your phone's built-in messaging: Tango messages only reach people who have the app. If someone doesn't have Tango, you can't send them a Tango message — you'd need to use regular text messaging or another app instead. Similarly, you can't call someone's regular phone number through Tango; you can only call other Tango users.

Setting up an account and finding contacts

To use Tango, you download the app from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone), then create an account. You'll need to provide a phone number or email address, and Tango will ask for permission to access your phone's contact list so it can show you which of your existing contacts already have the app.

Once your account is set up, Tango automatically syncs with your phone's contacts and shows you a list of people you know who are already using Tango. You can also search for specific people by their phone number or username, or share your Tango username with someone so they can find you.

Data and privacy considerations

Tango stores your account information, contact list, and message history on servers owned and operated by Kakao. This means your data is subject to Kakao's privacy policy and the laws of South Korea, where Kakao is based. If you're concerned about where your data is stored or how it's used, you should read Kakao's privacy policy before creating an account.

Tango messages and calls are encrypted in transit, meaning they're scrambled while traveling between your phone and Tango's servers so that others can't intercept them. However, Tango itself can see the content of your messages and calls — this is different from apps like Signal, which use end-to-end encryption so that even the company running the service can't read your messages.

Why Tango became less common

When Tango launched, it was one of the first apps to offer free international calling and messaging over the internet. At that time, international texting and calling through your phone company was expensive, so Tango filled a real need. Over time, phone plans became cheaper, and other apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook Messenger added similar features and became much more popular.

Today, Tango still works and people still use it, but it has a much smaller user base than it did ten years ago. If you're trying to reach someone, there's a good chance they use WhatsApp or another more popular messaging app instead. Tango is still useful if you have friends or family who specifically use it, but it's no longer the dominant choice for internet-based calling and messaging.

Tango compared to other messaging apps

Several apps do what Tango does. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is the most widely used messaging app worldwide and works almost identically to Tango — text, voice calls, and video calls over the internet. Viber, Signal, and Telegram are other popular alternatives. The main practical difference between them is which one your contacts use: if your friends use WhatsApp, you'll want WhatsApp; if they use Tango, you'll want Tango.

One difference worth noting: WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption by default, which means WhatsApp itself cannot read your messages. Tango does not use end-to-end encryption, so Tango can see the content of your messages. If privacy from the company itself is important to you, Signal is the most privacy-focused option among these apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Tango?

No. Downloading the app and creating an account is free. You only pay for the internet connection you use to send messages and make calls, which you're already paying for anyway. Tango does not charge subscription fees or per-message fees.

Can I use Tango on my computer?

Tango is primarily a mobile app for phones. There is a web version available at tango.me, but it has limited features compared to the phone app. Most people use Tango on their phone.

What happens if someone blocks me on Tango?

If someone blocks you, you won't be able to send them messages or call them through Tango. You also won't see them in your contact list. They won't receive a notification that you tried to contact them — the message or call simply won't go through.

Is Tango safe to use?

Tango is a legitimate app, but like any app, it has security and privacy trade-offs. Your messages are encrypted in transit, but Tango can read them. Your data is stored in South Korea under Kakao's control. If you're concerned about privacy, read Tango's privacy policy and consider whether you're comfortable with those terms.