Guides

Clear answers for Character.AI users and anyone choosing an AI companion.

Phone showing a loading ring on a desk at night while a chat bubble breaks into pixels

Is Character.AI Down? How to Check and What to Do

Character.AI not loading or stuck on errors? Check if it's down for everyone, try 6 quick fixes, and know what a real shutdown would look like after the sale.

Old typewriter with a violet light beam crossing the page like a filter, a chat bubble above it

Character.AI Filter Explained: What It Blocks and Why

Why Character.AI keeps cutting your story: what the filter blocks, why paying or verifying age won't turn it off, and how to write scenes it lets through.

Open diary releasing glowing chat bubbles toward a window, with an unlocked padlock beside it

Is Character.AI Safe? Privacy, Teens and the Sale

Is Character.AI safe? What it collects, how to opt out of AI training, the teen lawsuits, and why the bankruptcy sale changes the privacy picture.

Auction gavel next to a locked glass box full of glowing chat bubbles in a courtroom

Can Character.AI Sell Your Chats? What the Sale Means

Your Character.AI chats are not part of Disney's bid, but they are still in the sale. Here's what 40 attorneys general asked for and how to protect your data.

Fountain pen on a blank contract beside a glowing antique key, a fairy-tale castle in the distance

Disney and Character.AI: What the $20M Deal Buys

Disney's $20M Character.AI bid is a license, not a takeover. It skips the app, your chats and the models. Here's what it means for users and the Nov 24 hearing.

Open notebook with a sketched character sheet on a writer's desk at night

How to Write an AI Character That Works in Any App

Rebuild your Character.AI bots anywhere with one portable character card: 6 fields, a copyable template and the mistakes that break characters.

Smartphone protected by a glowing shield, with broken padlocks outside it

Is Your AI Companion App Safe? A 10-Point Check

One AI girlfriend site leaked 1.9M emails tied to users' prompts. Run this 10-point check to see if your AI companion app protects your data.

Adult taking a selfie while a face-scan grid of light covers her face in a dim bedroom

Character.AI Age Verification Failed? What Adults Can Do

Failed the Character.AI selfie check even though you're 18+? Here's how the Persona check works, why adults fail it, and the legitimate steps to get back in.

Hourglass filled with glowing chat bubbles running out, city lights behind

Character.AI Bankruptcy: What Happens to Your Chats?

Character.AI is in Chapter 11 and the sale ends late Nov 2026. Your chats are safe for now, but not guaranteed. Here's what we know and what to do today.