Quick Start Guide

EMS Docs version of the Element Quick Start Guide - https://element.io/user-guide

Onboarding

If you are a new user click Create Account to register.

Select where to host your account by choosing a “homeserver”. You can use the custom server options to sign into other Matrix servers by specifying a homeserver URL. This allows you to use Element with an existing Matrix account on a different homeserver.

create_account

homeserver

Click "Edit" to choose your preferred Matrix homeserver if you have one, or host your own.

To learn more about homeservers, please visit matrix.org.

From here, please enter a username, password and email address and click Register.

Alternatively you can register with your existing Github, Google, GitLab, Facebook or Apple account.

Once prompted, please read the Terms and Conditions and click accept.

An email will be sent to your inbox to verify your email address, please follow the steps in the email to complete your registration.

Now you can login

Enter your email or username and password then click sign in / log in. From here you will be taken to Home, where you can start exploring!

Secure backup

Secure backup is an important safeguarding step to take, to ensure you never lose access to your encrypted messages and data.

When setting up your account, a message will appear which prompts you to do so. If you missed the prompt you can set this up from within your security and privacy settings.

  1. Click continue to start this process.

    setup_secure_backup

  2. Choose a memorable security passphrase or security key (for file store). This will create an encrypted backup on your server that only you can decrypt.

    generate_security_key

The next time you login on a new device or session, simply enter the passphrase or key to verify your session and you’ll have access to all of your data.

Device Verification

Device verification is optional and allows you to verify who you’re talking to.

  1. Click the Avatar the person you would like to verify, in the room header or after clicking the information icon.

    invite_to_room

  2. This will bring up their information and options, including one named "verify".

    user_profile

  3. Once accepted, both you and the other user will have a set of emoji s appear on screen. We recommend comparing these in real life or over a video call to ensure you're verifying the right person. If these match, click accept and a green shield will display.

    session_verification

Verify an additional device

To add your additional device please log into the Element app. You will be asked to verify this login on your existing device. This is an important step as it’ll allow other people to see that the new login is really you.

  1. Click Accept on your desktop app to start the verification process.

    verification_request_prompt

  2. Next you will be asked to either scan a QR code with your mobile camera or compare unique emoji's.

    verify_other_login_prompt

  3. A green shield will show once the process is complete.

    green_shield

  4. To manage your verified device, go to Security & Privacy in your settings where you can see all devices, rename or sign out of them.

    security_and_privacy_settings

The Left Panel

the_left_panel

Organize your chats into spaces, people, rooms and favorites.

A. Your Profile

Update settings such as your display name, profile picture, language and password. Here is also where you manage notifications, security and privacy, and general settings about your account.

Access settings by clicking on your profile picture (Avatar) at the top left, from there select "All settings" and then "General".

accessing_all_settings

Here you can update settings such as your display name, profile picture, language and password. You can also manage notifications, security and privacy, and general settings about your account.

Avatars are selected on the General tab. This is what will show as your display picture to other users. When you hover over the circle, the word upload will show. Click this and you will be taken to your system s files where you can select a file you want to upload.

Display Names are added or updated in the General tab, type your desired name into the box and click save.

Contact Details are added or removed on the General tab. Email addresses and phone numbers are optional, to reset your account or have forgotten your password.

Language preference can be selected using the drop down menu.

B. Spaces

Organize groups of people and rooms together by using Spaces. A selected space will only show the list of rooms and people that are part of it.

create_space

From here you can create either a public or private space. Once your space is created you can invite people to join it and create new or add already existing rooms. Cater the space to your specific wants and needs.

public_or_private

Find people and rooms who are already part of your lists.

D. Rooms

This is where group discussions take place. Naming conventions help conversations be focused on a specific topic, and aid discoverability.

When searching for a room, make sure to select the right server for it to be discoverable. You can only join a private room by receiving and accepting an invite.

Find a public room

find_a_room

Create a room

create_a_room

Leave a room

leave_a_room

E. Notifications

To stay focused, you can set when you want to receive notifications.

Manage notifications per room and per person by clicking on the alarm icon next to it. Manage all notifications in your profile settings under "Notifications" to control where and when you will receive notifications.

The notifications will be set to a default e.g. Noisy for messages containing my username. Please alter these settings to your personal preference.

notification_settings

F. People

This is where one-to-one chats take place.

start_a_chat

G. Favorites

Easily pin favorite rooms and people for quick access to be displayed at the top of your list.

You can select "low priority" for the rooms and people you wish to push to the bottom of the lists using the “three dots” icon next to it.

H. Appearance

Once you’re up and running, you can start to think about how you want everything to look.

In settings, click "Appearance" where you can amend the theme to light or dark, increase or decrease your font size or click on "Show advanced" for more.

customize_your_appearance

The Middle Panel

the_middle_panel

A. Room header

Shows you the room name and a quick summary of the topic. Settings and details of the room can be found and managed in the right hand panel (see separate section).

room_header

Start a video or audio call when you’re in a room or conversation by clicking on the icons in the "Room header".

B. Messages

Send a message by typing into the composer. Hit enter to send.

Notify someone in a room by writing their name or @ before their name.

Send a file either by drag and drop or click on the paperclip to browse your filesystem. You can also copy/paste into the composer.

React with emojis 😁 by hovering on a message and clicking the smiley face!

Reply to a message by hovering on a message and clicking the reply button.

Edit a message you’ve sent by hovering on the message and clicking the edit button (the room will be notified of edited messages).

Remove a message you’ve sent by hovering on it, clicking the 3 dots option button and choosing "remove" (the room will see a note that a message has been removed).

Format text by highlighting your message in the composer. You have options to bold, italics, strikethrough, code block and quote messages.

Forward a message by highlighting your message, clicking the options button and choosing "forward". You can then choose which room or conversation you want to forward it to.

Quote a message by hovering over your message and clicking the options button. You can then click "Quote" and type in your desired message.

C. Threads

Threads move message replies out of your timeline to help declutter the main feed, keep topics together and “catch up” on conversation easier.

reply_in_thread

You can see Thread responses and respond/react to them.

message_with_reply_in_thread

And see Threads in a room on the Thread panel.

thread_panel

Tap on a message to bring up options then "Thread / Reply in thread"

reply_in_thread

D. Voice Messages

Send a voice message when you re in a room by clicking on the microphone in the "composer" bottom right hand corner.

voice_messages

The Right Panel

the_right_panel

A. Room information

Click on the "information icon" or the room name on iOS and android in the room header to open the room information panel.

room_information

People lets you see who is already in the room, with the option to invite others to join.

Files gives you instant access to the shared files in the room.

Export chat lets you download the conversation in a room and export it to HTML, Plain Text and JSON formats.

Share room gives you a way to invite multiple people to the room, via a QR code or social media.

Room settings gives you a series of advanced room setting options. Please note you can only amend these settings if you are an admin.

Click the room name and click "Settings" from the drop down menu.

Here you can manage a number of things, including room permissions and roles.

roles_and_permissions_settings

Additionally, security and privacy settings give you the freedom around encryption, room access and chat history.

Manage widgets, bridges and bots are optional advanced extras to improve room productivity.

B. Show notification messages

Displays room notifications to keep on top of important conversations.

C. Search conversations

Frequently Asked Questions

Account management

How do I reset my password?

Do I need an email address to register?

What is the username used for?

Can I register with a phone number?

Chat

How can I mention someone?

With what type of mentions will I get notified?

How do I send a file?

Can I upload a file from a mobile device?

How can I invite a contact to use Element?

Is there a way to know if a message has been read?

How can I search for a file or message?

Settings

How do I change my account settings?

How do I change my notification settings?

How do I set up email notifications?

How can I change my display name?

How do I reset my password?

Why would I need to associate an email address to my account?

Rooms

How can I change the settings for a specific chat or room?

Can I restrict the access of a room to a given set of people?

Can I limit the access of a room to people knowing its existence?

Can I make a room publicly discoverable?

Will anyone be able to join my room if I list it in the directory?

If I make the room accessible to anyone, will new joiners be able to read the history?

Why would I want to make the history visible to anyone?

What is a room address?

What is a favorite room?

What is a low priority room?

What is the “historical” section?

As a room admin, can I decide what members can do?

Privacy, abuse and notices

Please note that Element is a client that allows you to access any homeserver in the Matrix network, just like a browser allows you to access any website you want. Each homeserver has different approaches to Abuse Management and Privacy, which are out of Element’s control.

How is my personal data being used?

How do I report on content in Element?

How do I submit an abuse report?

How do I request a DMCA takedown?

End-to-end encryption

What is encryption?

What is end-to-end encryption?

Who can read my messages?

Why can't I read a message?

What is Key Backup?

Is it safe to back up my encryption keys to your servers?

How do I set up key backup?

How do I restore from key backup?

How do I request the key from another device via key share?

What is a 'device'?

What does it mean to verify or trust a device in Element?

Are all of my messages encrypted?

Can I search in encrypted rooms?

What does the red/green symbol mean at the top of the encrypted room?

Reporting bugs and requesting features

How do I submit a bug report?

How do I request a new feature?

Threads Beta

Why does my homeserver need to support threads?

How does the room list unread badge work in regards to threads?

How can I avoid missing messages posted to threads?

Why does the thread list unread badge show only a dot, and not an unread count?

Will the room list unread badge be incremented if someone sends a message in a thread I did not participate in?

Why does a thread show as unread even if I already read it on another device?

Where are the read receipts in my threads?

Are push/email notifications supported?