For: admins and members
You can chat with people outside your company in Element. There are three ways, depending on what the other person already uses.
Option 1: they already have a Matrix account
Matrix servers talk to each other, like email providers. Someone with an account on another Matrix server (for example matrix.org) can join your rooms with their own account.
- Ask them for their full Matrix ID, for example
@anna:matrix.org. - In Element, open the room and choose Invite.
- Type the full ID, including
@and the part after the colon. - Select the person and send the invitation.
They see the invitation in their own Matrix app and can accept it there.
Option 2: create an account on your server
For a freelancer or a close partner who doesn't use Matrix yet, the account owner can create an account for them, just like for a colleague. → Add your team
This account counts toward the number of users in your plan. When the collaboration ends, deactivate the account.
Option 3: they use WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram
You can reach them in Element through a bridge, without them changing anything. Each person links their own accounts. → Moving from WhatsApp
Good to know
- Invite by Matrix ID, not by email. If you type an email address, Element asks for an "identity server". You don't need one; ask the person for their Matrix ID instead.
- Encrypted rooms stay encrypted with external guests. Only the people in the room can read the messages.
- Think about what guests should see: invite them to a separate room rather than your internal team room.
- If someone shouldn't stay in a room any longer, a room admin or moderator can remove them. → Room roles: admins and moderators