CharaTalk Support

CharaTalk turns a portrait photo and an audio file into a talking-avatar video — entirely on-device.

FAQ

Which devices are supported?

On other iPad and iPhone models the App Store may still offer the download, but CharaTalk will tell you at launch that the device can't render video — those chips are too slow or have too little memory for the on-device models.

Why was my photo rejected?
The portrait check wants a front-facing face, mouth closed, and a face that's large enough in the frame. Tight, well-lit headshots work best; distant or profile shots don't.

Why does rendering take so long?
CharaTalk runs heavy AI models locally instead of on a server — that's the price of complete privacy. As a guide, a one-minute clip takes roughly 9 minutes on an iPad Pro (M2), 11 minutes on an iPhone Air and 20 minutes on an iPad Air (M1); a recent Mac is faster. The estimate shown before you start is measured on the device itself and gets more accurate with every video you make. Renders estimated at over two hours ask you to confirm first.

Can I use my device while it renders?
On a Mac, yes. On iPad and iPhone, keep CharaTalk on screen: iOS doesn't let apps use the graphics hardware in the background, so the render pauses when you switch away. Nothing is lost — the finished part is kept, and Resume continues it, even after the app was closed. The screen stays on while rendering.

The estimate says it will take longer than usual.
Low Power Mode slows rendering by roughly 40 % — turn it off for full speed. Thin devices also slow down gradually as they warm up on very long clips. On battery, a long render uses about 30 % of an iPad's charge per hour; CharaTalk suggests plugging in when that matters.

I quit mid-render — is my video gone?
No. The output file is playable at every moment. After a cancel, a crash or a force-quit, CharaTalk offers to resume where it stopped, without repeating the preparation steps.

Where are my videos saved?
Wherever you choose. On a Mac, Save video… writes a normal video file. On iPad and iPhone, Save video… lets you choose Photos or the Files app. Until you delete it, a finished video also stays in My videos inside the app, and deleting there always asks first and tells you whether it is the only copy.

What is the small "CharaTalk" mark on my video?
Free videos (up to one minute) carry a faint "CharaTalk" mark in the bottom-left corner. The full version — one purchase, no subscription — removes it from every video you make after unlocking, along with the length limit.

Can I turn off the "AI-generated" watermark?
Yes, in Settings — but we ask you to keep it on anything you share. See the content policy.

Does CharaTalk upload my photos or voice anywhere?
No. The app has no network access at all. See the privacy policy.

What's free, and what does the full version add?
Videos up to one minute are free — full quality, every feature. The one-time in-app purchase "CharaTalk Full Version" removes the length limit. There is no subscription and no account.

I bought CharaTalk when it was a paid app. Do I pay again?
On a Mac, no: your original purchase is recognized automatically, and Settings ▸ Full version shows "Unlocked — included with your original purchase". If it doesn't, click "Restore purchase" while signed in to the same Apple Account.

On iPad and iPhone the App Store can't tell CharaTalk about a purchase of the old paid Mac app, so the full version isn't unlocked there automatically. Write to us (see Contact below) and we'll unlock it for you. This applies only to the old paid app, which was sold until September 11, 2026; the in-app purchase does carry across platforms by itself — see the next answer.

I bought the full version on another device.
One purchase covers every platform. Settings ▸ Full version ▸ Restore purchase brings it to any Mac, iPad or iPhone signed in to the same Apple Account. Family Sharing is on for the purchase.

Refunds
Purchases are handled by Apple; request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com.

Contact

charatalk-support@grassroot-ai.com — include your device model and OS version, and what you imported (image size, audio length) when reporting an issue.