diff --git a/changelog.d/disabling-chats.change b/changelog.d/disabling-chats.change
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..579679a03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/disabling-chats.change
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Allow disabling Chats feature
diff --git a/config/config.exs b/config/config.exs
index e6a4eb3e6..f13c12fb9 100644
--- a/config/config.exs
+++ b/config/config.exs
@@ -979,6 +979,8 @@ config :pleroma, :database_config_whitelist, [
   {:web_push_encryption, :vapid_details}
 ]
 
+config :pleroma, Pleroma.Chat, enabled: true
+
 # Import environment specific config. This must remain at the bottom
 # of this file so it overrides the configuration defined above.
 import_config "#{Mix.env()}.exs"
diff --git a/config/description.exs b/config/description.exs
index 7c377588c..1293179b9 100644
--- a/config/description.exs
+++ b/config/description.exs
@@ -2726,6 +2726,19 @@ config :pleroma, :config_description, [
       }
     ]
   },
+  %{
+    group: :pleroma,
+    key: Pleroma.Chat,
+    type: :group,
+    description: "Pleroma Chat settings",
+    children: [
+      %{
+        key: :enabled,
+        type: :boolean,
+        description: "Enables the chats API."
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   %{
     group: :pleroma,
     key: :http,
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/chat.ex b/lib/pleroma/chat.ex
index 926176bfa..6ac1b24b8 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/chat.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/chat.ex
@@ -108,4 +108,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Chat do
     |> cast(%{pinned: false}, [:pinned])
     |> Repo.update()
   end
+
+  def enabled?, do: Pleroma.Config.get([__MODULE__, :enabled], true)
 end
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view.ex
index 8847692c8..c273043e1 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view.ex
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.UserView do
     capabilities =
       if is_boolean(user.accepts_chat_messages) do
         %{
-          "acceptsChatMessages" => user.accepts_chat_messages
+          "acceptsChatMessages" => Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() and user.accepts_chat_messages
         }
       else
         %{}
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/api_spec/operations/chat_operation.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/api_spec/operations/chat_operation.ex
index 76c2db57e..7bc39acc6 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/api_spec/operations/chat_operation.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/api_spec/operations/chat_operation.ex
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             "The updated chat",
             "application/json",
             Chat
-          )
+          ),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -56,7 +57,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             "The read ChatMessage",
             "application/json",
             ChatMessage
-          )
+          ),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -87,7 +89,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             "The existing chat",
             "application/json",
             Chat
-          )
+          ),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -118,7 +121,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             "The created or existing chat",
             "application/json",
             Chat
-          )
+          ),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -146,7 +150,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
         Operation.parameter(:pinned, :query, BooleanLike.schema(), "Include only pinned chats")
       ],
       responses: %{
-        200 => Operation.response("The chats of the user", "application/json", chats_response())
+        200 => Operation.response("The chats of the user", "application/json", chats_response()),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -172,7 +177,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
         | pagination_params()
       ],
       responses: %{
-        200 => Operation.response("The chats of the user", "application/json", chats_response())
+        200 => Operation.response("The chats of the user", "application/json", chats_response()),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -224,6 +230,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             ChatMessage
           ),
         400 => Operation.response("Bad Request", "application/json", ApiError),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError),
         422 => Operation.response("MRF Rejection", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
@@ -249,7 +256,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
             "The deleted ChatMessage",
             "application/json",
             ChatMessage
-          )
+          ),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -268,7 +276,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
         Operation.parameter(:id, :path, :string, "The id of the chat", required: true)
       ],
       responses: %{
-        200 => Operation.response("The existing chat", "application/json", Chat)
+        200 => Operation.response("The existing chat", "application/json", Chat),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
@@ -287,7 +296,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation do
         Operation.parameter(:id, :path, :string, "The id of the chat", required: true)
       ],
       responses: %{
-        200 => Operation.response("The existing chat", "application/json", Chat)
+        200 => Operation.response("The existing chat", "application/json", Chat),
+        404 => Operation.response("Not Found", "application/json", ApiError)
       },
       security: [
         %{
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/mastodon_api.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/mastodon_api.ex
index d6f2dd3a3..a65326226 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/mastodon_api.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/mastodon_api.ex
@@ -385,6 +385,15 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.MastodonAPI do
       |> cast_params()
       |> Map.update(:include_types, [], fn include_types -> include_types end)
 
+    if "pleroma:chat_mention" in options.include_types and not Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() do
+      options
+      |> Map.update(:include_types, [], fn include_types ->
+        List.delete(include_types, "pleroma:chat_mention")
+      end)
+    else
+      options
+    end
+
     if ("pleroma:report" not in options.include_types and
           User.privileged?(user, :reports_manage_reports)) or
          User.privileged?(user, :reports_manage_reports) do
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/account_view.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/account_view.ex
index 5386c5a6c..1e3882fc6 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/account_view.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/account_view.ex
@@ -287,6 +287,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.AccountView do
       user.last_status_at &&
         user.last_status_at |> NaiveDateTime.to_date() |> Date.to_iso8601()
 
+    accepts_chat_messages = Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() and user.accepts_chat_messages
+
     %{
       id: to_string(user.id),
       username: username_from_nickname(user.nickname),
@@ -336,7 +338,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.AccountView do
         relationship: relationship,
         skip_thread_containment: user.skip_thread_containment,
         background_image: image_url(user.background) |> MediaProxy.url(),
-        accepts_chat_messages: user.accepts_chat_messages,
+        accepts_chat_messages: accepts_chat_messages,
         favicon: favicon,
         avatar_description: avatar_description,
         header_description: header_description
@@ -391,6 +393,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.AccountView do
     |> Kernel.put_in([:source, :pleroma, :show_role], user.show_role)
     |> Kernel.put_in([:source, :pleroma, :no_rich_text], user.no_rich_text)
     |> Kernel.put_in([:source, :pleroma, :show_birthday], user.show_birthday)
+    |> Kernel.put_in([:source, :pleroma, :accepts_chat_messages], user.accepts_chat_messages)
   end
 
   defp maybe_put_settings(data, _, _, _), do: data
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view.ex
index 1a0f63ffa..437e42580 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view.ex
@@ -202,8 +202,12 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.InstanceView do
       end,
       "pleroma_emoji_reactions",
       "pleroma_custom_emoji_reactions",
-      "pleroma_chat_messages",
-      "pleroma:pin_chats",
+      if Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() do
+        "pleroma_chat_messages"
+      end,
+      if Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() do
+        "pleroma:pin_chats"
+      end,
       if Config.get([:instance, :show_reactions]) do
         "exposable_reactions"
       end,
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller.ex
index ac9bb2779..9c9f17e86 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller.ex
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.PleromaAPI.ChatController do
   )
 
   plug(Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.CastAndValidate, replace_params: false)
+  plug(:ensure_chats_enabled)
 
   defdelegate open_api_operation(action), to: Pleroma.Web.ApiSpec.ChatOperation
 
@@ -244,4 +245,16 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.PleromaAPI.ChatController do
       _ -> nil
     end
   end
+
+  defp ensure_chats_enabled(conn, _opts) do
+    if Chat.enabled?() do
+      conn
+    else
+      conn
+      |> put_status(:not_found)
+      |> put_view(Pleroma.Web.ErrorView)
+      |> render("404.json")
+      |> halt()
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/streamer.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/streamer.ex
index 120e94751..14d942c9f 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/streamer.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/streamer.ex
@@ -289,15 +289,17 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.Streamer do
 
   defp do_stream(topic, {user, %MessageReference{} = cm_ref})
        when topic in ["user", "user:pleroma_chat"] do
-    topic = "#{topic}:#{user.id}"
+    if Pleroma.Chat.enabled?() do
+      topic = "#{topic}:#{user.id}"
 
-    text = StreamerView.render("chat_update.json", %{chat_message_reference: cm_ref}, topic)
+      text = StreamerView.render("chat_update.json", %{chat_message_reference: cm_ref}, topic)
 
-    Registry.dispatch(@registry, topic, fn list ->
-      Enum.each(list, fn {pid, _auth} ->
-        send(pid, {:text, text})
+      Registry.dispatch(@registry, topic, fn list ->
+        Enum.each(list, fn {pid, _auth} ->
+          send(pid, {:text, text})
+        end)
       end)
-    end)
+    end
   end
 
   defp do_stream("user", %Activity{} = item) do
diff --git a/test/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view_test.exs b/test/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view_test.exs
index a3f807ca9..1aed28d5b 100644
--- a/test/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view_test.exs
+++ b/test/pleroma/web/activity_pub/views/user_view_test.exs
@@ -220,5 +220,13 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.ActivityPub.UserViewTest do
                "acceptsChatMessages"
              )
     end
+
+    test "it returns false if chat is disabled" do
+      clear_config([Pleroma.Chat, :enabled], false)
+      user = insert(:user, accepts_chat_messages: true)
+
+      assert %{"capabilities" => %{"acceptsChatMessages" => false}} =
+               UserView.render("user.json", user: user)
+    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view_test.exs b/test/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view_test.exs
index 66485be0e..5f1e21098 100644
--- a/test/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view_test.exs
+++ b/test/pleroma/web/mastodon_api/views/instance_view_test.exs
@@ -114,8 +114,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.InstanceViewTest do
     "quote_posting",
     "pleroma_emoji_reactions",
     "pleroma_custom_emoji_reactions",
-    "pleroma_chat_messages",
-    "pleroma:pin_chats",
     "pleroma:get:main/ostatus",
     "pleroma:group_actors",
     "pleroma:bookmark_folders",
@@ -128,6 +126,8 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.InstanceViewTest do
     "gopher",
     "chat",
     "shout",
+    "pleroma_chat_messages",
+    "pleroma:pin_chats",
     "relay",
     "safe_dm_mentions",
     "exposable_reactions",
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.InstanceViewTest do
     [:media_proxy, :enabled],
     [:gopher, :enabled],
     [:shout, :enabled],
+    [Pleroma.Chat, :enabled],
     [:instance, :allow_relay],
     [:instance, :safe_dm_mentions],
     [:instance, :show_reactions],
@@ -443,6 +444,32 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.MastodonAPI.InstanceViewTest do
     end
   end
 
+  describe "chat features" do
+    test "advertises Shout without Chats" do
+      clear_config([:shout, :enabled], true)
+      clear_config([Pleroma.Chat, :enabled], false)
+
+      features = InstanceView.features()
+
+      assert "chat" in features
+      assert "shout" in features
+      refute "pleroma_chat_messages" in features
+      refute "pleroma:pin_chats" in features
+    end
+
+    test "advertises Chats without Shout" do
+      clear_config([:shout, :enabled], false)
+      clear_config([Pleroma.Chat, :enabled], true)
+
+      features = InstanceView.features()
+
+      refute "chat" in features
+      refute "shout" in features
+      assert "pleroma_chat_messages" in features
+      assert "pleroma:pin_chats" in features
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "federation/0" do
     setup do: clear_config([:mrf, :transparency], true)
 
diff --git a/test/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller_test.exs b/test/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller_test.exs
index 0dc0e7014..8244ba434 100644
--- a/test/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/pleroma/web/pleroma_api/controllers/chat_controller_test.exs
@@ -546,6 +546,14 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.PleromaAPI.ChatControllerTest do
         account_ids = Enum.map(result, &get_in(&1, ["account", "id"]))
         assert Enum.sort(account_ids) == Enum.sort([user2.id, user3.id])
       end
+
+      test "it returns 404 when chats are disabled", %{conn: conn} do
+        clear_config([Pleroma.Chat, :enabled], false)
+
+        conn
+        |> get(unquote(tested_endpoint))
+        |> json_response_and_validate_schema(404)
+      end
     end
   end
 end