Guide · Character Import
How to Import Chub AI Characters into PersonaChat
PersonaChat reads Chub's JSON character cards natively, so a character you've collected — or created — on Chub can continue their story in a native iPhone app. The whole process takes about a minute per character. Here's every step, what transfers, and how to fix the one error you might hit.
Last updated: 10 July 2026 · Matches PersonaChat v2.2
The five steps
- Download the card as JSON. On the character's page on Chub, download the card in JSON format. Save it somewhere you can find again — the Files app or iCloud Drive works well.
- Open the Workshop tab in PersonaChat. It's the third tab — home of your own and imported characters. Don't have the app yet? It's free on the App Store.
- Tap Import. The iOS file picker opens.
- Pick the JSON file you downloaded.
- Wait for the spinner to stop. You'll see "The Character has been successfully imported" — the character now appears in your Workshop, ready to chat with your persona like any built-in character.
What transfers — and what doesn't
Comes across: the character's description, personality, scenario, opening message, alternate greetings, example dialogue, and creator notes — everything that makes a character feel like themselves. Once imported, they work like any other PersonaChat character: chat wallpapers, model choice, editable long-term memory, group chats.
Doesn't come across: lorebooks, and any chat history from other apps. Imported characters are subject to PersonaChat's content guidelines.
Why you should back up your cards either way
Platforms change their rules. Free tiers shrink, payment methods change, models get retired, and content gets removed. Characters you've spent months with live on someone else's server — until you download them. A JSON file in your Files app or iCloud Drive is yours permanently, readable by PersonaChat and other card-compatible apps alike.
Even if you never switch, spend ten minutes downloading the cards you care about. It's cheap insurance for your stories. And if you're weighing a move, our full PersonaChat vs Chub comparison covers pricing, models, and where each is stronger.
Troubleshooting
"Invalid JSON format" or "Failed to parse JSON file": you most likely downloaded the card in a different format. Chub offers several export formats — make sure you picked JSON, not a PNG card image. Re-download as JSON and try again; if it still fails, grab a fresh copy of the file.
The character imported but looks sparse: some cards are minimal by design — open the character in the Workshop and you can edit or expand every field yourself: personality, backstory, greetings, and more.
Ready when you are
Free to start, and your imported characters stay private on your device.
Frequently asked questions
What transfers when I import a Chub card?
The character's description, personality, scenario, opening message, alternate greetings, example dialogue, and creator notes all come across — the things that make a character feel like themselves. You chat with them using your own persona, exactly like a built-in character.
Do lorebooks import too?
No. The import covers the character card itself; lorebooks aren't supported. Long-term context in PersonaChat is handled by its automatic summarizer instead, which keeps a rolling recap of your story that you can review and edit.
I get an 'Invalid JSON format' error — what's wrong?
You most likely downloaded the card in a different format. Make sure you chose JSON when downloading from Chub — a PNG card image or another format won't parse. Re-download the card as JSON and try again; if it still fails, the file may be corrupted, so download a fresh copy.
Does importing cost anything?
No — importing is a free feature of PersonaChat, and imported characters stay private on your device. The app itself is free with an ad-supported tier; premium ($4.99/week with a 3-day trial, $9.99/month, or $59.99/year) removes ads and limits.
Why should I keep JSON backups of my characters?
Because platforms change their rules — free tiers shrink, payment methods change, and content gets removed. A JSON file in your own storage is yours permanently. Even if you never switch apps, downloading the cards you care about is cheap insurance.