Moving from WhatsApp

For: admins and members

You don't have to choose between WhatsApp and Element. Your team chats move to your own private server, and with the WhatsApp bridge your existing WhatsApp chats show up in Element too, so you can answer customers from one app.

Step 1: move your team chat

1. The account owner creates an account for each colleague. → Add your team
2. Each colleague signs in to Element. → Which app should I use?
3. Create a room for each WhatsApp group you used internally, for example "Team" or "Shop", and invite your colleagues by name.

Your internal conversations now stay on your own server in the EU, end-to-end encrypted.

Step 2: bring your WhatsApp chats into Element (optional)

Each person links their own WhatsApp account. The bridge is included in every plan.

1. In Element, start a direct chat with @whatsappbot: followed by your server address, for example @whatsappbot:8e43f5db6a.matrixhost.eu.
2. Send the message login.
3. The bot replies with a QR code.
4. On your phone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Linked devices → Link a device.
5. Scan the QR code shown in Element.

Your WhatsApp chats now appear as rooms in Element. When you reply there, the other person receives a normal WhatsApp message.

Good to know

• Keep using your phone now and then. WhatsApp disconnects linked devices if the phone isn't used for about 14 days.
• Names instead of phone numbers: connect Google Contacts on the Contacts page so bridged chats show real names.
• WhatsApp calls can't be answered in Element. Callers can get an automatic reply with another way to reach you: see the Call Redirect page.
• Files: each file can be up to 50 MB. Images, videos and files are removed from the server after 365 days, while text messages are kept. Save important files elsewhere too.
• To unlink WhatsApp, send logout to the bot.
• Signal, Telegram and other services work the same way, each with its own bot.

Related

• Matrix in plain words
• Add your team
• Which app should I use?