For: everyone
A direct message is a private chat between you and one other person. Direct messages are end-to-end encrypted by default: only you and the other person can read them.
Before you start
- The other person needs an account on your server (or on another Matrix server, see below).
- It helps to know their name or username, for example
marco.
Start a direct message
In the browser / on the computer
- Click the + button at the top of the room list and choose Start chat.
- Type your colleague's name or username, for example
marco. - Select them in the list.
- Click Go.
- Write your first message and send it.
On the phone (Element X)
- Tap the button for a new conversation at the top of the chat list (the pencil icon).
- In Start chat, search for your colleague's name or username.
- Tap the person.
- Write your first message and send it.
Your colleague receives an invitation with your message and can reply right away.
Find your direct messages again
Your direct messages appear in the room list together with your rooms. To see only them, use the People filter at the top of the list.
Good to know
- If a colleague doesn't appear in the search, check with the account owner that their account exists in the portal. See Add your team.
- You can write to people on other Matrix servers with their full ID, for example
@anna:matrix.org. See Invite people from outside your company. - You can also send a direct message to the AI assistant
@ai. See Use the AI assistant. - From a direct message you can start a voice or video call. See Make voice and video calls.