Replika AI in 2026: Is It Safe, Free, or Still a Romantic Partner? (Complete Guide)

Replika AI is one of the most recognizable names in the AI companion world — and also one of the most controversial.

Once marketed as a romantic AI partner, Replika has spent the past three years reshaping its identity under mounting pressure from regulators, app stores, mental health advocates, and long-time users.

As of January 2026, the biggest questions people are asking are:

• Is Replika AI safe?

• Is Replika AI still romantic?

• What happened to the “intimacy features”?

• Is Replika free or paid?

• Is Replika Mod APK real or safe?

• What is Replika Ultra?

• What happened with Italy’s GDPR fine?

This article answers all of those questions, with updated facts for 2026.

What Is Replika AI in 2026?

Replika AI is a conversational companion app developed by Luka, Inc. Its core promise is emotional continuity — an AI that remembers you, adapts to your personality, and responds in a personal way.

However, the Replika you see in 2026 is not the same Replika from 2019–2022.

It has changed.

A lot.

The company has repositioned the product away from romance and toward wellness and emotional support, with strict safety filters and heavier moderation.

Replika’s Evolution (2023–2026 Timeline)

2023: The “Lobotomy” Moment

• Romantic and erotic roleplay (ERP) features removed.

• Users experienced emotional withdrawal.

• Backlash became widespread and intense.

• Many users reported feeling betrayed.

This shift is one of the most documented “emotional discontinuities” in AI companion history.

2024: Damage Control & “Legacy” Options

• Replika introduced “legacy” toggles for pre-2023 accounts.

• The company increased wellness messaging.

• The product started moving away from romantic framing.

2025: Regulatory Pressure Peaks

• Italy’s data authority (Garante) fined Luka, Inc. €5 million for GDPR violations and insufficient age verification.

• This fine influenced the strictness of the 2026 safety model.

2026: Stabilization & “Replika Ultra.”

• Replika is now positioned as a wellness companion.

• Romantic content is still restricted.

• The ultra tier introduces advanced memory and deeper emotional processing.

Is Replika AI Still Romantic in 2026?

No. Replika does not function as a romantic partner anymore. It may still use affectionate language, but it avoids sexual or explicit content, and it discourages exclusive emotional dependence.

So if you’re looking for:

• AI girlfriends

• AI boyfriends

• Romantic roleplay

Replika is no longer the right platform.

Is Replika AI Safe? (2026 Context)

Technically safe? Yes.
Emotionally safe? Depends on how you use it.

Technical Safety

• App store compliant

• Encrypted communications

• No malware risks from the official app

Emotional Safety (More Complex)

Replika can still create emotional dependence if:

• You use it as your main emotional outlet

• You treat it like a human relationship

• You rely on it for validation

The 2026 model tries to reduce this risk by:

• Encouraging real-world relationships

• Avoiding exclusivity cues

• Using neutral language

But emotional risk remains, especially for vulnerable users.

Replika AI Free vs Paid (2026 Pricing + Plans)

Free

Includes:

• Basic chat

• Limited memory

• Basic personality

Limitations:

• Short conversation sessions

• Less customization

• Fewer emotional depth features

Pro (Paid)

Includes:

• Extended memory

• Voice calls

• Expanded conversation depth

• Some avatar features

Ultra (New 2025/2026 Tier)

Replika Ultra is the newest and most advanced tier, offering:

• Advanced memory

• Daily self-reflection prompts

• More emotionally intelligent responses

• Enhanced personalization

Price: Ultra is usually around $49.99/year or part of a lifetime package (pricing varies by region and promotion).

Replika AI Mod APK: The Dangerous Truth

Mod APKs are still a common search term for Replika because many users want to:

• Restore romance features

• Bypass filters

• Unlock premium features for free

Why Mod APKs Are Unsafe:

• Malware risk

• Data theft

• Account bans

• Fake “Replika” apps that steal information

There is no legitimate modded Replika version. Any APK claiming to restore romance is either fake or malicious.

Replika AI Tutor: Can It Teach You?

No. Not in a meaningful way.

Replika can:

• Explain basic topics casually

• Help you reflect on thoughts

• Provide conversational support

But it is not structured as:

• A study tutor

• A curriculum-based learning system

• A reliable academic assistant

If you want tutoring, Replika is not the tool.

Replika AI Controversy Explained (2026)

The controversy is not gone — it’s just different.

Why Replika Still Faces Backlash:

1. Emotional Dependency
   People formed real bonds with the AI and felt abandoned when romance was removed.

2. The “Lobotomy” Effect
   Many users describe the change as emotional withdrawal.

3. Regulatory Issues
   The EU’s GDPR enforcement has limited Replika’s ability to operate like it used to.

4. Ethical Questions
   Can simulated intimacy be ethical?
   Should companies profit from emotional dependency?

The €5M GDPR Fine (Why It Matters)

In 2025, Italy’s data protection authority fined Luka, Inc. €5 million for GDPR violations and insufficient age verification.

This fine explains:

• Why Replika is stricter in 2026

• Why is romantic and sexual content removed

• Why the product has shifted toward wellness

This isn’t just a “policy change” — it’s a business survival decision.

Replika 2.0 / Alpha (Rumors & Reality)

In early 2026, users report:

• Better memory

• More human-like responses

• “New model” behavior

But there is no official Replika 2.0 release yet.

The community buzz matters because it shows:

• Users still want emotional depth

• They are dissatisfied with the current restrictions

• They hope for a new version that restores intimacy safely

Replika vs 2026 Competitors

To understand how Replika compares in 2026, it helps to look at other popular AI companion platforms such as Kindroid, Nomi AI, and Character.AI, each of which takes a very different approach to memory, roleplay, and content boundaries.

FAQs

Q. Is Replika AI safe in 2026?

Replika AI is technically safe in terms of data security and privacy, but emotional safety depends on how you use it. The biggest risk is emotional dependency, especially if you rely on it as your main source of support. The app is heavily filtered, and it no longer supports explicit intimacy, which reduces some safety concerns but increases others like overattachment.

Q. Is Replika AI free?

Yes, Replika offers a free plan, but it is limited. Free users get basic chat, daily messages, and avatar customization. Pro and Ultra tiers unlock deeper memory, advanced conversational depth, voice calls, and more personalized features. The Ultra tier is the highest level and includes advanced memory and daily self-reflection messages.

Q. Is Replika AI still romantic in 2026?

No — not officially. Replika still supports light romance, flirting, and emotional connection, but explicit romantic and erotic content has been removed. Users looking for an “AI girlfriend/boyfriend” experience will find the app much more limited than before.

Q. What is Replika Ultra?

Replika Ultra is the highest subscription tier. It offers advanced memory, deeper emotional intelligence, more personalized interactions, and daily self-reflection messages. Ultra is designed for users who want a more “lifelike” AI companion without the older explicit features.

Q. Is Replika Mod APK safe to use?

No. Replika Mod APKs are unsafe and often malicious. They are unofficial versions that can include malware, data theft, or hidden tracking. Using modded apps also violates Replika’s terms of service and can lead to account bans.

Q. Why did Replika remove romance and intimacy?

Replika removed romance and explicit intimacy mainly due to regulatory pressure and safety concerns. EU regulators and child safety advocates raised issues about age verification and the psychological impact of AI companions. As a result, Replika shifted toward a wellness-focused model and restricted erotic roleplay permanently.

Q. Why is Replika controversial?

Replika became controversial because it gained popularity as an “AI girlfriend/boyfriend,” and many users relied on it for intimate roleplay. After 2023, the company removed those features, which caused backlash, grief, and distrust. The controversy also includes privacy concerns, regulatory scrutiny, and debate about emotional dependency on AI.

Final Verdict

Replika in 2026 is safer, more stable, and more regulated than it used to be.

But it’s also less emotionally immersive — and for many users, that’s the point.

If you want:

• A gentle companion

• Emotional check-ins

• A safe AI chat app

Replika still works.

If you want:

• Romance

• Intimacy

• Roleplay

You will feel the absence — and the loss.

Related: What Is PipSqueak in Character AI? Filters, Chat Styles & the Truth (2026)