Get started

with Element.
Get up and running in just a few minutes!

Element is an end-to-end encrypted secure messenger and collaboration

app. Talk to friends, family and colleagues through the open and
decentralised Matrix network.

Copyright © 2022 Element

The guide includes:

1. Onboardin g. Favourites

Create Accoun h. Appearance

Secure backu 3. Middle Pane

Cross-device verificatio Room heade
Verify an additional device
Message
2. Left Pane Thread
Your Profil Voice messages

Avatar 4. Right Pane

Display nam Room informatio
Contact detail Search conversations

Languag
5. More Hel
Space
Search Ba FAQ’s
Room
Notification
People

Copyright © 2022 Element

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

To learn more about homservers, 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!

Copyright © 2022 Element

A. 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

Click continue to start this

process.

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.

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.

Copyright © 2022 Element

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

Invite to this room

Matthew
@matthew:matrix.org
Matthew Security
Messages in this room are end-to-end encrypted
Lily Admin Verify

Click the Avatar the person This will bring up their

you would like to verify, in information and options,
the room header or after including one named "verify".
clicking the information icon .

Once accepted, both you and

Verify this session
the other user will have a set
Compare the unique emoji, ensuring they appear in
the same order
of emoji’s appear on screen.

We recommend comparing
Pig Glasses Banana Pin
these in real life or over a
video call to ensure you’re
Airplane Octopus Guitar verifying the right person.

They don’t match

If these match, click accept
They match and a green shield will display.

Copyright © 2022 Element

C. 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.

Verify other login

Verification request (1/2)

Verify this session by completing one of the following:

Mobile

JCNRQUIXPF from 77.1.923.77 Scan this unique code Compare unique emoji

or Compare a unique set of emoji if you don’t

have a camera on either device

Decline (30) Accept Start

Click Accept on your desktop N e t you ill e asked to

x w b

app to start the verification either scan a code ith QR w

process. your mo ile camera or b

compare unique emoji s. ’

A green shield will show once the process is complete.

G eneral
A ppearance
To manage your verified
Notifications
device go to Security
, " &

Preferences Privacy in your settings

"

Voice & Video w here you can see all

devices rename or ,
S ecurity & Privacy
sign out of them.
Labs
H elp & A bout
Copyright © 2022 Element
 The left panel.
Organise your chats into spaces,

people, rooms and favourites.

A. Your Profile Filter C. Search Bar

London runs
Description of room

B. Spaces
Aaron

G. Favourites
Can anyone recommend a some good runs around the river? Looki
R W Favourites
touristy sights along the way - thanks!️

London runs
Ariel
I had a good run last month around there, and took some , I’ll sha
Amandine
1

People

Hernan
Do you like Phil Collins?
F. People
Craig
This is a good route from the Nike club last year
Download Nike Club London Runs 2019.pdf (4.56 MB)
Giana

D. Rooms
Sounds good
Aaron

E. Notifications
Rooms

Chat
Thanks - this is great!
Announcements
Ariel
Plans

Welcome

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. Send an encrypted message...

cc
A ess settings by c ck y
li ing on our pro ile pi ture Avatar at t e f
c ( ) h
f ,f h c"
top le t rom t ere sele t All settings an t en eneral " d h "G ".

Copyright © 2022 Element

1 2
General
Ahmad
Filter
Westervelt
London runs
Description of room Appearance
@ahmad.westervelt@doma...
Aaron
Notifications
Can anyone recommend a some good runs around the river? Looking for something quiet wit
RW Notifications
Favourites
touristy sights along the way - thanks!️

London runs Preferences

Security & privacy Ariel
I had a good run last month around there, and took some , I’ll share some
Amandine
All settings 1 Voice & Video
People
Craig
eedback
FHernan
Do you like Phil Collins?
Security & Privacy
This is a good route from the Nike club last year
Download Nike Club London Runs 2019.pdf (4.56 MB)
Giana
Sign out
Sounds good
Aaron Labs
Rooms

Chat
Thanks - this is great!
Help & About
Announcements
Ariel
Plans

Here you canWelcome

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.

Send an encrypted message...

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.

Copyright © 2022 Element

B. Spaces
Organise 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.

Home

Create space

Web / Desktop iOS / Android

Set up a new space by Tap the space icon and

clicking "+ Create a space" select "create"

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
Open for anyone, best for communities

Private
Invite only, best for yourself or teams

Copyright © 2022 Element

C. Search bar
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

Web / Desktop
Find a room by using the
London runs
"Compass" icon to explore
Filter Description of room
already created public rooms
Aaron

RW Favourites
an
Can anyone recommend d press
a some "join
good runs around ". Looking for something quiet with some

the river?
touristy sights along the way - thanks!️

London runs
Ariel
I had a good run last month around there, and took some , I’ll share some
Amandine
1

People
Craig
Hernan This is a good route from the Nike club last year
iOS / Android
Do you like Phil Collins?
iana
Download Nike Club London Runs 2019.pdf (4.56 MB)
Tap the compose icon and
G
Sounds good
Aaron
Rooms
select “Explore rooms”. Press
Chat

Announcements
Thanks - this is great!
"join" to participate.
Ariel
Plans

Welcome

Copyright © 2022 Element

 London runs
Filter Description of room

Aaron
Can anyone recommend a some g

Create a room
RW Favourites
touristy sights along the way - tha

London runs
Ariel
I had a good run last month aroun
Amandine
1

People
Web / Desktop
Hernan
Craig
This is a good route from the Nike
Do you like Phil Collins?
Download Nike Club London Runs
Create a new room by Giana
Sounds good
Aaron
clicking the "+" next to Rooms

Rooms in the left panel.

Chat
Thanks - this is great!
Announcements
Ariel
Plans

Welcome

iOS / Android

Tap the compose icon and

select “Add room”.

Send an encrypted message...

Leave a room

Web / Desktop Leave a room by clicking the

three dots and choose the
R Room name
This is a message "leave room" option.

iOS / Android Leave a room by clicking the

"room name" at the top of the
Room name room and choose the "leave
room" option.

Copyright © 2022 Element

E. Notifications

Filter
London runs
Description of room

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

London runs

Amandine

People

Hernan
Web / Desktop
Do you like Phil Collins?
Giana

Manage notifications per

Sounds good

Rooms

Plans room and per person by

Chat clicking on the alarm icon
Welcome
next to it.

Manage all notifications in your profile settings under "Notifications" to

control where and when you will receive notifications.

Send an encrypted message...

The notifications will be set to a default e.g. Noisy for messages

containing my username. Please alter these settings to your
personal preference.

Copyright © 2022 Element

F. People
This is where one-to-one chats take place.
London runs
Filter Description of room

Aaron
Can anyone recommend a some good runs around the river? Looking for something quiet with some

RW Favourites
touristy sights along the way - thanks!️
Web / Desktop
London runs
Ariel
Start a new ch,at
I had a good run last month around there, and took some
by using the
I’ll share some
Amandine
1
+ button next to "People" in
People
Craig
Hernan
Do you like Phil Collins?
thNikeeclublelast
This is a good route from the ftyear
panel and type in their
Download Nike Club London Runs 2019.pdf (4.56 MB)
Giana
Sounds good username or Matrix ID.
Aaron
Rooms

Chat
Thanks - this is great!
Announcements
Ariel
Plans

Welcome

iOS / Android
Tap the compose button and
select “Start chat”.

Send an encrypted message...

Copyright © 2022 Element

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

Web / Desktop You can select "low priority"

for the rooms and people you
R Room name
This is a message 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.

Customise your appearance

Appearance settings only affect this Element session.
In settings, click
Theme
Match system theme
"Appearance" where you can
Light Dark amend the theme to light or
Use high contrast dark, increase or decrease
Font size your font size or click on
Matthew
Hey you. You’re the best! "Show advanced" for more.

Copyright © 2022 Element

 The middle panel.
Here is where the conversations happen!
A. Room header C. Threads
Room Name Room topic

Thread
Nad
Here’s a message with a reaction
1 Amandine
Here’s a timeline message, hover and click “Reply in
Amandine Thread”
Here’s a timeline message, hover and click “Reply in Thread”
George
1 reply George I have learned something new every day…
I have learned something new every day since
12:10
starting, and don't see any signs of it stopping any
time soon!

|Reply to thread...
Send an encrypted message...

B. Messages D. Voice messages

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).

a hew
M tt

St art a video or audio call when you’re in a room or coversation by

clicking on the icons in the "Room header".

Copyright © 2022 Element

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.

Copyright © 2022 Element

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

Amandine

11:40 Here’s a timeline message, hover and click “Reply in Thread”

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

Amandine
Here’s a timeline message, hover and click “Reply in Thread”

1 reply George I have learned something new every day…

And see Threads in a room on the Thread panel.

Thread
Amandine
Here’s a timeline message, hover and click “Reply in
Thread”

George
I have learned something new every day since
12:10
starting, and don't see any signs of it stopping any
time soon!

|Reply to thread...

Copyright © 2022 Element

 Soraya
Here’s a regular message with an
image
Tap on a message to bring up options then "Thread / Reply in thread"

George 12:30

George It’s really encouraging to feel like you are a

It’s really encouraging to feel like you part of something greater than yourself. I feel
empowered to learn, research and find new
are a part of something greater than
ways of dealing with problems — I have
yourself. I feel empowered to learn,
Georgesomething
learned 12:30 new every day since
research and find new ways of dealing starting, andencouraging
don't see any
It’s really to signs of you
feel like it stopping
are a
with problems — I have learned any time
part something greater than yourself. I…
of soon!
something new every day since
starting, and don't see any signs of it
Peter 12:32
stopping any time soon!
Here is a message with a reaction
Peter 1
Here’s a message with a reaction Add reaction
1 Lisa 12:36
Reply
Here is a regular message

Reply in thread

Reply Thread Edit More Quote

Message...
Copy text

iOS Android
Copy link to message

Share

Report content

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.

Send an encrypted message...

Copyright © 2022 Element

 The right panel.
Information and settings for your rooms.

Room Name
#roomname:element.io

About

140 people

Files

Share Room

Room Settings

Widgets

Meetings

Etherpad

World Clock

Edit widgets, bridges & bots

Copyright © 2022 Element

A. Room information

RN Room name Room description

Click on the "information icon" or the room name on iOS and

android in the room header to open the room information panel.

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.

Copyright © 2022 Element

 ement.io

w HereRyouRoom
can manage a number
Element Room topic of things, including room permissions and
N
roles.
Amandine
Here’s a regular message
ngs - Room name
Nad
eneral Roles
Here’ & Permissions
s a message with a reaction
nt
ecurity & Privacy
12 1
Privileged users
oles & Permissions Victor@andy:matrix.org
nt
otifications Here’sAdmin
a message with an audio file
dvanced 00:23
@gawa:matrix.org
Admin

Melody
4
e
Permissions
e Select
Here’s a message reqauired
the roleswith to change various parts of the room

big emoji
Default role
e
Default
Matthew
Here’s a message with an image
Send messages
Default

name 12
Enable GIFs (Giphy library)
Default

Invite users
Default

Change settings
Additionally, security and privacy settings give you the freedom around
Moderator

encryption,Kicroom
k users access and chat history.

Moderator

Ban users
Manage widgets,
Moderator bridges and bots are optional advanced extras to
Send an encrypted message...
improve room
Removeproductivity.
messages sent by others
Moderator

Notify everyone
Moderator
B. Show notification messages
Change room avatar
Moderator

Displays room address for the room to keep on top of important conversations.
notifications
Change main
Moderator

Change history visibility

Admin
C. Search conversations
Change room name
Moderator
Brings up the search functionality within the current (or other) rooms.
Change permissions
Admin

Change server ACLs

Admin
Copyright © 2022 Element
Upgrade the room
Admin
That’s your whistle stop

quick start user guide!

For FAQs you can check out element.io/help

Or to discuss a question, from your Element app:

Go to "Rooms" and hit the "+" butto

Select Matrix.org server and choose "Explore public rooms
Then drop in the relevant room address:

Element web/desktop: #element-web:matrix.org

Element iOS app: #element-ios:matrix.org

Element Android app: #element-android:matrix.org

Copyright © 2022 Element