Istoko is a social platform that connects people based on their proximity and shared interests. It helps you discover and connect with like-minded individuals in your local area.

Istoko uses advanced algorithms to analyze users' locations and interests. It then suggests potential matches who are nearby and share similar hobbies or interests with you.

Yes, Istoko allows you to set privacy preferences. You can choose who can view your profile based on interests.

No, your information is not public by default. Only registered users who have set their preferences to match yours will be able to see your profile.

Rest assured, at Istoko, safeguarding your privacy is our top priority. Your location information is encrypted and utilized exclusively for the purpose of connecting you with nearby users who share your interests. It remains confidential throughout your general use of the platform.

Yes, Istoko is free to use for end users. You can create an account, set up your profile, and start connecting with people in your area at no cost.

To update your profile, log in to your Istoko account and navigate to the "Profile" section. There, you can edit your personal information, interests, and other details.

If you come across any inappropriate content or users, please use the reporting feature within the Istoko app

To delete or deactivate your Istoko account, please contact our support team.

Alternative option: You may also unsubscribe if you ever received a request or transactional email from the app. However, please note that choosing this method will delete and blacklist your email address. This means you will no longer receive critical notifications, and you will not be able to use the same email again if you decide to create an account in the future. For this reason, we strongly recommend contacting us directly instead.

Yes, you can access Istoko from multiple devices using the same account credentials. Your profile and preferences will sync across all your devices.

If you have any questions or issues, you can reach out to Istoko support through the "Contact Us" page on the website or within the app.

At Istoko, your contact details are kept private. Only when you accept a connection request or initiate a connection by sending one, will the specific user who made the request gain access to your contact details. This ensures that your information is shared only with those individuals whom you have chosen to connect with.

We strongly advise users not to share their contact information publicly on their bio. While Istoko does not enforce this, exercising caution helps protect users from scammers and unwanted attention. Keeping your contact details private ensures a safer and more secure experience on our platform.

Hangouts on Istoko are casual meetups or scheduled activities where users can connect in real life based on shared interests or availability. They allow people to break the ice beyond online chats. Yes, Hangouts can be monetised — users can host paid meetups, charge for participation, or offer exclusive access to events or services, depending on the nature of the Hangout and the value provided.

If you're not receiving email notifications:

• Make sure you signed up using correct email.
• Check your spam or junk folder in your email inbox. Sometimes, our emails may end up there.
• Ensure that the email address associated with your Istoko account is correct.
• Add info@istoko.co.za to your email contacts to prevent notifications from being marked as spam.
• If the issue persists, contact our support team at info@istoko.co.za.

For the best experience, we recommend using Google Chrome or Safari to browse Istoko. Other browsers might not support some features properly.

Yes! You can download our app from the Play Store or AppGallery.

For iPhone users, the Apple version is still under development — but you can use the Istoko web app by visiting our site in Safari and choosing “Add to Home Screen” to install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA).

Watch this short video to understand how PWAs work: What is a PWA? (YouTube)

Yes, businesses can list on Istoko to reach more local customers through hyperlocal advertising. Your business gets seen by people nearby who are more likely to engage with your services, making Istoko a powerful and cost-effective way to reach your target audience.

For business-related information or to get started, visit /businessLogin.html.

This is completely normal! Sometimes, it just means that no one in your area currently matches your interests. You can try adjusting your interests to find people with similar preferences nearby.

If you're still not seeing anyone, it could be because there are only a few users in your area right now. However, keeping your profile active is a great move! As new people sign up in your location, you'll be one of the first profiles they see, increasing your chances of making connections.

Another reason could be that you didn’t allow location permissions or haven’t turned on your location settings. We require location access to protect users from bad actors who might pretend to be somewhere they’re not. Since the app is designed to encourage real meetups, it wouldn’t make sense to interact with people very far away—it also helps prevent scams and other issues.

Allowing location access helps Istoko show you people who are nearby and interested in meeting up. If using the web version To enable location settings on your device, follow the steps shown in this quick video guide:

Watch: How to Allow Location Settings