Joining a channel

If you want to communicate in channels, you can either create a new channel or join an existing channel. Joining existing channels is only possible to a limited extent, depending on the channel settings. You do not need to join organization-wide channels or contact group channels to which you have been added by the administration, as you are automatically a member of such channels.

Joining via channel search

In the web/desktop client

1. Click on the icon.

2. Click on the word "Channels" at the top. A view titled "Your Channels, your choice" will open with a search field and a list of all visible channels.

   1. "Recommended Channels" shows a selection of channels that you can join. The number of members in the channel is displayed on the right.

   2. The channels you are a member of are marked with a .

   3. Encrypted channels and password-protected channels are marked with a .

3. Click on a channel you want to join.

   1. For public channels, you will now see the chat history of the channel. You can only write messages if you join the channel. To do this, click on "Join Channel" at the bottom right.

   2. For password-protected channels, a text field will appear in the channel search after you click on it, asking you to enter the password. You can only join the channel yourself if you know the password. In this case, enter the password and click on "Join channel".

   3. You cannot join encrypted channels yourself. However, you can send a join request. To do this, click on "Request access" in the bottom right-hand corner. Channel managers can decide whether you can join the channel. For more information, see the article Manage a channel.

In iOS

1. Tap on the menu.

2. Tap on " Chats".

3. Select "Channels" at the bottom.

4. Tap the + icon in the top right corner.

5. A menu will open, select "Join channel." A "Join channel" view will open with a search field and a list of all visible channels.

   1. "Recommended" shows a selection of channels you can join.

   2. The channels you are a member of are marked with a .

   3. Encrypted channels and password-protected channels are marked with a icon .

6. Tap on a channel you want to join.

   1. For public channels, you will now see the chat history of the channel. You can only write messages if you join the channel. To do this, tap "Join" at the bottom.

   2. For password-protected channels, you will be asked for the channel password after tapping at the bottom. You can only join the channel yourself if you know the password. In this case, enter the password and tap "Join."

   3. You cannot join encrypted channels yourself. However, you can Send a request to join. To do this, tap "Request access" at the bottom. Channel managers can decide whether you can join the channel. For more information, see the article Manage a channel.

On Android

1. Tap on the menu.

2. Tap on " Chats."

3. Select "Channels" in the upper left corner or swipe right.

4. Tap the + icon at the bottom right.

5. The "Add Channel" menu will open at the bottom; select "Join Channel".

6. The "Channels" view will open with a list of all visible channels. If you want to search for a channel name, tap the icon on the top right.

   1. "Recommended Channels" shows a selection of channels you can join.

   2. The channels you are a member of are marked with a .

   3. Encrypted channels are marked with a paper airplane icon on the right.

   4. Password-protected channels are marked with a key icon on the right.

7. Tap on a channel you want to join.

8. For public channels, you will be asked directly to confirm that you want to join the channel. Tap "Yes" in the bottom right corner.

9. For password-protected channels, you will be asked for the channel password. You can only join the channel yourself if you know the password. In this case, enter the password and tap "OK."

10. You cannot join encrypted channels yourself. However, you can send a join request. After tapping, you will be asked to confirm that you want to send a join request. Click on "Request." Channel managers can decide whether you can join the channel. For more information, see the article Manage a channel.

Joining by invitation

You can be invited to join all channels. This must be done by an authorized member of the channel. Even administrators cannot send join invitations for user-created channels in which they are not channel members themselves.

Here we explain how to accept an invitation that has already been sent to you and thus become a channel member. For an explanation on how to invite other users read Invite users to a channel

In the web/desktop client

1. When you receive an invitation, you will be notified. Depending on your notification settings, this will also happen as a desktop notification and your notification icon will receive an animation.

2. Click on the notification icon at the top right of the screen.

3. There you will find an invitation showing the name of the channel and the user who invited you. invited you. Click "Accept" on the right.

In iOS

1. When you receive an invitation, you will be notified. Depending on your notification settings, you will receive a push notification.

2. Tap the menu.

3. Tap " Notifications."

4. There you will find an invitation showing the name of the channel and the user who invited you. Tap "Accept" on the right.

In Android

1. When you receive an invitation, you will be notified. Depending on your notification settings, you will receive a push notification.

2. Tap the menu.

3. Tap " Notifications."

4. There you will find the invitation with an open envelope icon with a superscript question mark on the left. Tap on the notification.

5. An "Invitation" view will open. Tap "Accept" in the lower right corner.