Line

What is Line?

Line is a comprehensive messaging and social networking platform that originated in Japan and has become one of the most popular communication apps in Asia, with over 200 million active users globally. Launched in June 2011 by NHN Japan (now LINE Corporation) in response to the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that disrupted traditional communication infrastructure, Line was initially created to enable reliable internet-based communication when cellular networks were overwhelmed. What began as an emergency messaging solution quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon, particularly in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia, where Line dominates the messaging app market and has become deeply integrated into daily life and business operations.

What sets Line apart from Western messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger is its transformation into a comprehensive lifestyle platform that extends far beyond simple text messaging. Line integrates mobile payments (Line Pay), social networking features, news feeds, digital content sales (stickers, themes, games), e-commerce, food delivery, taxi services, job searches, and even cryptocurrency exchange—creating an all-in-one “super app” similar to WeChat in China. The platform’s signature feature is its extensive library of expressive animated stickers featuring beloved characters like Brown the bear and Cony the rabbit, which have become cultural icons in Asia and generate substantial revenue through sticker sales to users worldwide.

Line’s business model demonstrates remarkable diversification beyond advertising, generating revenue from sticker and theme sales, mobile games, Line Pay transaction fees, official business accounts, and various integrated services. This ecosystem approach has made Line Corporation one of the most valuable internet companies in Asia, though it faces intense competition from global players like WhatsApp and regional rivals like KakaoTalk in Korea and Zalo in Vietnam. For users in Line’s core Asian markets, the app is essentially indispensable—used for everything from casual conversations to business communications, government services, and daily transactions, making it fundamentally different from Western messaging apps focused primarily on communication.

Key Features

• Free Messaging and Calls: Unlimited text messaging, voice calls, and video calls over internet connection worldwide, eliminating international calling fees and SMS charges for users communicating across borders.
• Sticker Store: Massive library of thousands of expressive animated and static stickers featuring original Line characters and licensed intellectual property, enabling more emotional and playful communication than text alone.
• Timeline and Social Features: Built-in social networking timeline where users share updates, photos, and moments with friends similar to Facebook, creating integrated communication and social discovery within single app.
• Line Pay Integration: Mobile payment system allowing money transfers between users, bill payments, and purchases at participating merchants, particularly prevalent in Japan and Taiwan for cashless transactions.
• Official Accounts: Business and celebrity accounts allowing brands, companies, and public figures to communicate directly with followers, send promotional messages, and provide customer service through Line platform.
• Group Chats: Support for group conversations with up to 500 participants, making Line suitable for everything from small friend groups to large organizational communications and community management.
• Line Games: Integrated gaming platform with numerous mobile games accessible directly from app, many featuring Line’s characters and offering social gaming experiences with friends.
• Keep Notes and Albums: Shared storage for important messages, photos, and files within conversations, allowing users to preserve memories and information without cluttering chat histories.
• Line Out: VoIP calling service for making calls to regular phone numbers at competitive rates, providing hybrid internet/traditional calling when contacting non-Line users.
• End-to-End Encryption: Letter Sealing feature providing end-to-end encryption for one-on-one text messages, protecting privacy for users concerned about message security and surveillance.

What’s New

Line continues expanding features and services with regular updates enhancing functionality:

• OpenChat Communities: Public chat rooms allowing users to join interest-based communities without adding individual contacts, creating space for hobby groups, fan communities, and local area discussions.
• Video Viewing Features: Enhanced video calling with background effects, filters, and beauty features making video conversations more fun and helping users present better on camera during calls.
• Line VOOM: Rebranded short-form video feature (previously Timeline) embracing TikTok-style vertical video format, allowing users to create and discover short entertaining videos within Line ecosystem.
• NFT Integration: Line blockchain platform (LINK Chain) supporting NFT trading and digital asset ownership, allowing users to purchase, sell, and display NFTs within Line app environment.
• Mini Apps: Platform for lightweight applications running within Line without separate installation, enabling services from food delivery to government forms accessible directly through messaging app.
• AI Features: Integration of AI assistants and chatbots providing automated customer service, content recommendations, and intelligent features enhancing user experience and business capabilities.
• Line Healthcare: Telemedicine services allowing online doctor consultations, prescription delivery, and health management through Line platform, particularly expanded during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enhanced Privacy Controls: Improved privacy settings including ability to hide read receipts selectively, better control over who can add you, and enhanced blocking and reporting features.

System Requirements

iOS

• Operating System: iOS 13.0 or later
• Compatible: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
• Storage: 300 MB minimum (more for media cache)
• Internet connection required for messaging and calls

Android

• Operating System: Android 5.0 or later
• Storage: 250 MB minimum
• RAM: 1 GB minimum (2 GB recommended)
• Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Windows/macOS

• Windows: Windows 7 or later
• macOS: macOS 10.10 or later
• Storage: 200 MB available space
• Internet connection required
• Desktop app available for extended functionality

Web

• Modern web browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• Internet connection
• Chrome extension available for enhanced integration

How to Install Line

iOS Installation

1. Open App Store on your iPhone or iPad
2. Search for “LINE: Calls & Messages”
3. Tap “Get” to download and install
4. Open Line after installation completes
5. Register with phone number or Facebook account
6. Set up profile with name, photo, and status message
7. Add friends by phone number, QR code, or Line ID
8. Grant permissions for contacts, camera, microphone as needed

Android Installation

1. Open Google Play Store
2. Search for “LINE: Calls & Messages”
3. Tap “Install” to download
4. Launch Line once installation finishes
5. Sign up using phone number verification
6. Complete profile setup
7. Start adding contacts and exploring features
8. Enable notifications for message alerts

Desktop Installation

1. Visit line.me/en/download
2. Download Line for Windows or macOS
3. Run the installer
4. Log in using email and password from mobile account
5. Verify login on mobile device when prompted
6. Access synchronized conversations on desktop

# Windows - Using winget
winget install LINE.LINE

# macOS - Using Homebrew
brew install --cask line

# Launch and log in with existing Line account
# Note: Desktop requires existing mobile account

Getting Started

1. Add friends using phone contacts, QR code scan, or Line ID search
2. Explore Sticker Shop to download free sticker packs
3. Set up Line Pay if available in your region
4. Follow Official Accounts for brands and services you use
5. Join OpenChat communities for your interests
6. Customize chat backgrounds and themes

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive Ecosystem: All-in-one platform integrating messaging, payments, social networking, shopping, and services eliminates need for multiple apps, particularly valuable in Asian markets with deep Line integration.
• Expressive Communication: Extensive sticker library with thousands of animated and static options enables more emotional, playful, and culturally appropriate communication than text alone, particularly important in Asian communication styles.
• Free International Communication: Unlimited messaging and calling over internet eliminates expensive international SMS and calling fees, making it essential for users with contacts across different countries.
• Business Integration: Official accounts and Line for Business features provide powerful tools for customer service, marketing, and commerce, making Line essential business communication channel in core markets.
• Strong Privacy Features: Letter Sealing end-to-end encryption, hidden chats, and robust privacy controls provide security for users concerned about message interception or surveillance.
• Cross-Platform Sync: Seamless synchronization across mobile and desktop allows starting conversations on phone and continuing on computer with full message history and feature access.
• Cultural Relevance: Deep integration into Asian daily life with support for local payment systems, services, and cultural features makes Line more relevant than Western alternatives in core markets.

Cons

• Regional Limitations: Many features like Line Pay, certain mini apps, and official accounts are region-specific, limiting functionality outside core Asian markets like Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand.
• Feature Bloat: Extensive features and integrated services create complex interface that can feel overwhelming compared to simpler focused messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal.
• Smaller Global Network: Limited adoption outside Asia means fewer international contacts use Line compared to WhatsApp or Messenger, reducing utility for cross-regional communication.
• Privacy Concerns: While Letter Sealing exists, end-to-end encryption isn’t default for all conversations, and platform’s extensive data collection for personalization and advertising raises privacy concerns.
• Storage Consumption: Rich stickers, themes, cached media, and integrated services consume more storage space than minimal messaging apps, problematic for devices with limited storage.

Line vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Line?

Line is ideal for:

• Residents of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia: Users in Line’s core markets where the platform is ubiquitous for both personal and professional communication, with essential services integrated into daily life.
• International Students and Expats: People living in or frequently communicating with contacts in Asian countries where Line dominates, making it necessary for social integration and staying connected with local communities.
• Anime and Asian Pop Culture Fans: Enthusiasts who appreciate Line’s extensive character stickers, themes, and cultural content aligned with Japanese and Asian pop culture aesthetics and communication styles.
• Small Business Owners in Asia: Entrepreneurs and businesses operating in Line’s markets who need Official Accounts for customer communication, Line Pay for transactions, and integrated services for operations.
• People Wanting All-in-One Apps: Users who prefer comprehensive platforms combining messaging, social networking, payments, and services in single app rather than managing multiple specialized applications.
• Expressive Communicators: People who value rich, emotional communication through animated stickers, themes, and multimedia features beyond plain text messaging offered by minimal alternatives.

Line may not be ideal for:

• Privacy-First Users: People prioritizing end-to-end encryption by default and minimal data collection will prefer Signal or WhatsApp where privacy is fundamental design principle rather than optional feature.
• Users Outside Asia: People without contacts in Line’s core markets will find limited network effects and region-locked features reduce Line’s value compared to globally dominant WhatsApp or Messenger.
• Minimalists: Users preferring simple, focused messaging apps without integrated games, shopping, payments, and social features will find Line’s comprehensive ecosystem unnecessarily complex.
• Storage-Constrained Devices: People with limited phone storage may struggle with Line’s larger app size and cached media from stickers, themes, and multimedia features compared to lightweight alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I use Line if I don’t live in Japan or Asia?

Yes, Line works globally and you can use core messaging and calling features anywhere with internet connection. However, many advanced features are region-specific—Line Pay only works in certain Asian countries, many Official Accounts target Japanese speakers, mini apps and integrated services may be unavailable outside Asia, and sticker content often assumes familiarity with Asian pop culture. If your contacts primarily use Line, it’s worth installing regardless of location, but if most of your network uses WhatsApp or Messenger, Line’s value diminishes significantly outside Asia. The app itself has no geographic restrictions, but the ecosystem is optimized for and most valuable within Line’s core Asian markets where adoption is high and services are fully available.

Question 2: How does Line make money if it’s free to use?

Line has diversified revenue streams beyond traditional advertising. Major income sources include: sticker and theme sales (users purchase premium animated stickers and app themes), Line games (in-app purchases in integrated mobile games), Line Pay transaction fees, Official Account subscriptions for businesses, advertising revenue from timeline and services, e-commerce through Line shopping and Line Travel, and various integrated services like Line Music and Line TV with subscription fees. This “super app” business model generates revenue from multiple touchpoints within the ecosystem rather than relying solely on ads like Western messaging apps. The strategy has proven successful with Line Corporation generating over $2 billion annual revenue, demonstrating that free messaging apps can be profitable through ecosystem monetization rather than charging users for basic communication features.

Question 3: Is Line as secure and private as WhatsApp or Signal?

Line offers end-to-end encryption through “Letter Sealing” feature, but unlike WhatsApp where E2E encryption is automatic and default, Line requires users to manually enable Letter Sealing in settings. Additionally, Letter Sealing only covers one-on-one text messages—not group chats, voice calls, video calls, or media files, which use standard encryption in transit but are accessible to Line. This makes Line less private by default than WhatsApp (E2E everywhere) or Signal (maximum privacy focus). Line also collects extensive user data for personalization, advertising, and integrated services, while Signal minimizes data collection. For users primarily concerned with privacy, Signal or WhatsApp provide stronger guarantees. For users valuing Line’s ecosystem features in Asian markets, the privacy tradeoffs may be acceptable, but understanding the differences is important for informed choice based on individual threat models and priorities.

Question 4: Why are Line stickers so important in Asian communication?

Stickers serve crucial communicative and cultural functions in Asian messaging that exceed their Western perception as frivolous add-ons. In Asian communication contexts, particularly Japanese, indirectness and emotional expression through non-verbal means are culturally valued. Stickers provide socially appropriate ways to express emotions, soften potentially awkward statements, maintain conversation flow with quick reactions, and add warmth to text that might otherwise feel cold or terse. The animated, cute, and expressive nature of Line stickers aligns with kawaii (cute) culture prevalent in Japan and broader Asia. Stickers also transcend language barriers—a crying character or celebratory animation communicates universally useful in multilingual contexts. The extensive variety allows nuanced emotional expression impossible with emoji alone. Using appropriate stickers demonstrates cultural awareness and social competence in Asian digital communication, making them essential rather than optional for authentic participation in Line-based communities and relationships.

Question 5: Should I use Line or WhatsApp for international communication?

The answer depends entirely on where your contacts are located. WhatsApp dominates in Europe, Latin America, India, and much of the world with over 2 billion users, making it superior for broad international reach. Line dominates in Japan (90+ million users), Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia but has limited adoption elsewhere. If you’re communicating with contacts in Line’s core Asian markets, you need Line—it’s not optional but essential for social and professional integration. For communication outside these regions, WhatsApp offers better network effects. Many international users maintain both apps: WhatsApp for global contacts and Line for Asian connections. Consider installing both and using whichever your specific contacts prefer rather than trying to convince everyone to switch. Network effects mean the best messaging app is simply the one your friends, family, and colleagues actually use, regardless of technical superiority or features.

Final Verdict

Line represents one of the most successful regional messaging platforms, evolving from emergency communication tool into comprehensive lifestyle super app that dominates daily digital life in Japan and several other Asian markets. For users within Line’s core territories, the app is essentially indispensable—used for everything from casual messaging to business communications, mobile payments, government services, and entertainment. The platform’s transformation into an all-in-one ecosystem demonstrates an alternative evolution path for messaging apps compared to Western counterparts that remained focused primarily on communication. Line’s sticker culture, integrated services, and deep localization make it irreplaceable for authentic participation in Japanese and Asian digital society.

However, Line’s regional focus creates limitations for global utility. Outside core Asian markets, the platform’s network effects diminish significantly, region-locked features reduce functionality, and competition from globally dominant WhatsApp or regionally strong alternatives makes Line feel like niche choice rather than obvious default. The extensive ecosystem that makes Line valuable in Japan can feel like unnecessary bloat for users simply wanting straightforward messaging. Privacy-conscious users will find Line’s optional rather than default end-to-end encryption concerning compared to WhatsApp or Signal’s stronger privacy commitments.

Line is strongly recommended for anyone living in, frequently visiting, or maintaining regular contact with people in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, or Indonesia—in these contexts, Line isn’t optional but necessary for social integration and accessing essential services. For users outside these markets without significant Asian connections, WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram offer better global network effects and feature sets aligned with Western communication patterns. The ideal approach for many international users involves installing both Line and a global alternative, using each where network effects are strongest rather than forcing a single choice. Line excels within its domain and represents impressive execution of the super app model, but realistic assessment of your geographic communication patterns should guide whether investing in Line’s ecosystem makes sense for your specific circumstances.