> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.spacebring.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chats

> Enable in-app Chats to replace external messaging tools, and let administrators and members message each other

Use secure in-app chats to centralize communication and encourage member networking.

With chats, you can:

* Replace external tools by letting members connect, network, and message each other directly within your web portal and mobile app.
* Centralize communication between customers and administrators.

# Enable Chats

1. Tap the (...) next to the network name > **Network settings** > **Chats**.
2. Enable the "Chats" switch.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spacebring/Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D/images/engagement-chats-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D&q=85&s=a40262e52b26cd51da86c5966e73eb82" alt="" width="2466" height="487" data-path="images/engagement-chats-1.png" />
</Frame>

Once enabled, the **Chats** option will appear in the main navigation menu for both administrators and users.

<Info>
  Chats work at the network level. If turned on, chats are available in all locations.
</Info>

## How administrators chat with customers

Administrators can chat with any customer to provide support or follow up on requests.

1. Go to the **Chats** page.
2. Open an existing conversation, or click `New chat` top right and search for a customer.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spacebring/Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D/images/engagement-chats-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D&q=85&s=2914f2427f18e04ac2336af4747dbf8d" alt="" width="2876" height="852" data-path="images/engagement-chats-2.png" />
</Frame>

You can also start a chat directly from the customer's profile, or by opening their profile from any other page.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spacebring/Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D/images/engagement-chats-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Cr6Ubsow5j3WT_8D&q=85&s=255e6b978cbafc83597e9eab1fbf86c2" alt="" width="2406" height="878" data-path="images/engagement-chats-3.png" />
</Frame>

## How users chat with other users

Members can chat with other community members depending on your visibility settings.

* If you set the **Community** page [visibility](/location/visibility) to "Location members" or "Network members," members can browse other community members and start a chat with any other member of the location or network from the **Chats** page.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spacebring/I-f4JHhvWkwT5vvv/images/engagement-chats-how-users-chat-with-other-users.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=I-f4JHhvWkwT5vvv&q=85&s=b47445a1287007afe3be7fc3ce1b8a46" alt="Engagement Chats How Users Chat With Other Users" width="2816" height="1518" data-path="images/engagement-chats-how-users-chat-with-other-users.png" />
</Frame>

* If the **Community** page visibility is set to "Administrators," members can start chats only with members who made themselves discoverable on the other pages. For example, they can message someone who published a feed post by clicking on their name.

## Manage messages

* Attachments: To send files, contracts, or images, click the "Attachment" (paperclip) icon in the bottom right. Check the allowed media and file formats [here](/understand-media-formats).
* Delete messages: Users and administrators can unsend a message by hovering over the message, tapping the (...) button, and pressing `Delete`.

## What's next?

* [Manage admin notifications](/account/notifications) to stay alerted to new messages.
* [Understand visibility settings](/engagement/chats) to control how users discover each other.

**FAQ**

<Accordion title="How do I disable chats?">
  To turn off **Chats**, go to **Network settings** > **Chats** and toggle the "Chats" switch off. This will hide the chat icon from the navigation menu for all users.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How does chat privacy work?">
  If privacy-conscious users choose to hide their name visibility on bookings and do not deliberately make themselves visible in your app (e.g. by posting on **Feed**), nobody will be able to send them a message.
</Accordion>