Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using Shareli for secure, anonymous text, code, voice notes, and file sharing online.
What is Shareli?
Shareli is a free, browser-based platform for sharing text, source code, files, and links in real time. It is designed for anyone who needs to quickly transfer information between their own devices or share content with a small group — without signing up for a service or installing an app.
Does Shareli require an account or sign-up?
No. Shareli does not require you to create an account, provide an email address, or remember any password. Simply open the website and start sharing within seconds. Your anonymity is fully preserved by design.
Is Shareli secure and private?
Yes. Shareli uses AES-GCM 256-bit end-to-end encryption powered by the WebCrypto API built into your browser. Your messages are encrypted on your device before they are sent. The encryption key is embedded in the room URL only — our server never sees your decrypted content and never stores it permanently.
How do I share text with someone using Shareli?
It takes three steps: (1) Open Shareli in your browser. (2) Type or paste your text and click Send. (3) Share your room link with the recipient — they open it in any browser and instantly see the message. No refresh needed. It is live and real-time.
Can I share source code with syntax highlighting?
Yes. Shareli automatically detects and highlights code in most major programming languages including JavaScript, Python, Java, C, C++, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Bash, and many more. You can also use Markdown formatting in your messages.
Can I share files and images on Shareli?
Yes. Click the attachment button in the message bar to attach any file type. Images are rendered inline inside the chat. Other files (PDFs, ZIPs, documents) appear as a download card that recipients can click to save.
How long does shared content remain available?
Content on Shareli is temporary by design. When you send a message you can choose a self-destruct timer: 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, or Keep (6 hours). When the timer expires the message is permanently deleted from the server. Nothing is stored long-term. There is no permanent database.
What is a Private Room?
A Private Room is a unique, encrypted space that only people who have your specific room link or QR code can access. Click "Create Private Room" on the main page, then share the generated link via WhatsApp, email, or show the QR code for someone to scan. Nobody else can find or enter your private room.
Can I use Shareli on my phone?
Yes. Shareli is fully responsive and works on all modern mobile browsers — Safari on iPhone/iPad and Chrome on Android. You can also add it to your home screen as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for an app-like experience without visiting the App Store.
Does Shareli store any of my data?
No. Shareli is designed with a strict zero-retention policy. Messages are stored temporarily in server memory (RAM) only for as long as their timer is active. There is no database, no logs, and no analytics tracking your usage. When the server restarts, all data in RAM is wiped permanently.
Is Shareli free to use?
Yes, Shareli is completely free. There are no paid plans, no premium features hidden behind a paywall, and no advertisements. Contact us if you have any other questions.
What is the maximum file size I can share?
The current limit is 5MB per file. This is an intentional architectural decision — Shareli stores everything in server RAM (not a database), so allowing very large files would risk crashing the server. For files up to 5MB, Shareli is significantly faster and more private than email or cloud storage alternatives. You can send multiple files at once (up to 15+) using the multi-file upload feature.
What is the difference between the Public Room and a Private Room?
The Public Room is an open, shared space where anyone visiting shareli.online can see messages. It uses a shared encryption key for format consistency but is NOT designed for private communication. Private Rooms generate a unique, random AES-256 encryption key that exists only in the room URL hash. Only people who have your specific room link can decrypt and read messages. For sensitive information, always use a Private Room.
Can the server owner or anyone at Shareli read my messages?
No. In Private Rooms, all encryption and decryption happens entirely in your browser using the WebCrypto API. The encryption key is embedded in the URL hash fragment (#key=...), which per HTTP standard RFC 3986 is never transmitted to the server. The server only receives, stores (temporarily in RAM), and relays encrypted ciphertext. Even with full server access, the messages appear as random encrypted data.
What happens if I lose the room link?
If you lose the link to a Private Room, the encryption key (which is part of the URL) is lost forever. There is no password recovery, no admin reset, and no server-side backup. This is by design — it guarantees that abandoned rooms are truly inaccessible. We recommend bookmarking important room links or saving them securely.
Can I delete or moderate messages in a room?
Yes. Every user can edit or delete their own messages. Additionally, the person who creates a Private Room automatically becomes the Room Admin. Admins can delete any message in the room and clear the entire room history. Admin status is tied to your browser (via a token stored in localStorage) and persists across sessions.
Does Shareli work offline?
Shareli is a Progressive Web App (PWA) with a Service Worker that caches the app shell. You can install it to your home screen and launch it offline — however, since Shareli requires a live WebSocket connection to send and receive messages, you need an active internet connection to use the core sharing features. The app will automatically reconnect when your connection is restored.
What browsers and devices are supported?
Shareli works on all modern browsers that support the WebCrypto API, WebSockets, and ES6+ JavaScript. This includes: Chrome (Desktop & Android), Safari (macOS & iOS), Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave. It is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.
Can I send voice notes on Shareli?
Yes. Click the microphone icon next to the message input to record an encrypted voice note. The audio is captured using the MediaRecorder API (Opus/WebM codec), encrypted with the same AES-GCM 256-bit encryption as text messages, and sent as an inline audio player. Voice notes also follow the self-destruct timer you have selected.
How does the QR code feature work?
Every room has a "QR Code" button that generates a scannable code containing the full room URL (including the encryption key in the hash). You can show this QR code on your laptop screen and scan it with your phone's camera to instantly join the same encrypted room. Shareli also includes a built-in QR scanner (using the BarcodeDetector API) so you don't need a separate scanning app.
What exactly does Shareli's encryption protect against?
Shareli's end-to-end encryption protects against: (1) Server-side data breaches — even if the server is hacked, attackers only get encrypted ciphertext. (2) Network eavesdropping — data in transit is encrypted. (3) Server operator access — the operator cannot read messages. It does NOT protect against: (1) Someone who has your room link (they have the key). (2) Screenshots or screen recording by participants. (3) Malware on your own device. Always share room links through secure channels.