Element - Secure Messenger - Private & secure messaging

Element is a secure messenger and productivity team collaboration app suitable for group chats during remote work situations. It uses end-to-end encryption to offer robust video conferencing, file sharing, and voice calls.

Features of Element include:

- Advanced online communication tools

- Fully encrypted messages for secure corporate communication, even for remote workers

- Decentralized chat utilizing the Matrix open-source framework

- Secure file sharing with encrypted data for project management

- Video chats with Voice over IP and screen sharing

- Seamless integration with various online collaboration tools, project management tools, VoIP services, and other team messaging apps

Element is unique as it operates on Matrix, an open network for secure messaging and decentralized communication. Users can self-host, enabling maximum ownership and control of their data and messages.

Privacy and encrypted messaging:

- Protection against unwanted ads, data mining, and walled gardens

- Data, one-to-one video, and voice communication security through end-to-end encryption and cross-signed device verification

Self-hosting option:

- Enables more control over sensitive data and conversations

- Users can choose a Matrix-based host for open-source, decentralized communication

- Provides privacy, security compliance, and integration flexibility

Data ownership:

- Users decide where to store data and messages without the risk of data mining or third-party access

Control options include:

1.Getting a free account on the matrix.org public server hosted by Matrix developers, or choosing from thousands of public servers hosted by volunteers

2.Self-hosting by running a server on one's IT infrastructure

3.Signing up for an account on a custom server through the Element Matrix Services hosting platform

Subscription Price

Starter.

Free up to 200 users

Features include:

    End-to-end encryption by default

    Instant messaging and video calls

    Admin controls

Business.

Fully managed

€5 per user/month (paid annually)

Starter features, plus:

    Fully managed cloud-based service

    Enhanced admin controls

    Supports Single Sign-On

Enterprise.

Advanced controls

€10 per user/month (paid annually)

Business features, plus:

    Self-hosted or fully managed

    Auditing & reporting for compliance

    Custom DNS

    Group Sync for access control

Sovereign.

Custom deployments

Priced per deployment

Enterprise features, plus:

    Nationwide scalability

    Antivirus / Content scanner

    Custom mobile push gateway

    Dedicated identity server

    Branded mobile app (min 5K users)

FAQ

🔗 How do I reset my password?

Please note that we cannot reset passwords or reactivate matrix.org accounts. If you have an email address attached to your account, you can reset your password here.

🔗 Do I need an email address to register?

Using an email address when creating a Matrix account is optional; it will make it easier for others to discover you and can help you to reset your password if needed.

It's ultimately up to the administrator of the server to decide whether or not you need to use an email address when creating a Matrix account.

For accounts on the matrix.org homeserver, supplying an email address during registration is optional, but matrix.org reserves the right to occasionally require it for abuse mitigation as referred to in the privacy policy.

🔗 What is the username used for?

We will use your username to create an ID (Matrix ID) allowing to disambiguate you from others with the same display name. It will allow us to keep your email confidential. 🙂

🔗 Can I register with a phone number?

Not anymore. Sorry!

🔗 Chat

🔗 How can I mention someone?

Just type their name and they will be notified accordingly. You can autocomplete by pressing the tab button, you don’t need any prefix for the mention to work!

🔗 With what type of mentions will I get notified?

By default you’ll be notified if your display name and your user name are mentioned. You can add other names, nicknames or keywords on which you want to be notified from your settings, in the Notifications section.

🔗 How do I send a file?

Simple, just drag the file into Element and it will automatically upload. Alternatively you can click on the paperclip icon in the text input field and browse your filesystem.

🔗 Can I upload a file from a mobile device?

Yes you can! On a mobile device simply press the arrow which is pointing upwards (on iOS) or the + symbol (on android) while in a chat and select your file.

🔗 How can I invite a contact to use Element?

You can invite someone to a room by using the "Invite to this room" button in the right hand side "Room members list" using their Matrix ID (if they have one) or by email. Those without a Matrix ID will be able to preview the room if the room allows for that.

🔗 Is there a way to know if a message has been read?

Yes! Element shows who has read a message by displaying their avatar to the right of the message. Hovering over these avatars (or clicking on them on mobile) will give you the user’s info and reading time.

🔗 How can I search for a file or message?

To search a room from Desktop, click on the magnifying glass located near the top of the screen. You can then type in a keyword or filename that you are searching for with the ability to select whether you want to search within the specific chat room or across all conversations. For encrypted rooms, search only works on Desktop (not Element web and mobile) and you need to have "Message search" enabled in the Element Security & Privacy settings.

On Element iOS, tap the room name at the top, then "Search room."

On Element Android, tap the three dots in the top right corner, then "Search."

🔗 Settings

🔗 How do I change my account settings?

Click on the drop down menu under your name in the top left corner of the web or desktop app and select. From here you can change all of your account and general Element preferences.

🔗 How do I change my notification settings?

Element allows you to customise your notifications at two levels: across the app and per room. You can configure how you will be notified for given events by default in the Notifications section of your Settings (accessible from the drop down menu under your name in the top left corner of the web/desktop app).

You can configure keywords, default notification settings for group, one-to-one chat rooms, invites and calls. The notifications can be:

– Turned off: you won’t be notified when the selected event happens.

– Turned on: you will get a message popping up when the selected event happens, but no sound.

– “Noisy”: you will get a visual highlight (red badge and/or text highlight), a sound and/or vibration (depending on the device) when the selected event happens.

Then for finer tuning, you can easily configure per room notification setting from the context menu you get by clicking on the [...] icon that appears when hovering over the room name in the room list. This is very handy when you wish to temporarily mute a room, or make sure you’re not missing anything from a given discussion. You can select the following options:

– Mute: you won’t be notified, even if your name or a keyword is mentioned.

– Mentions only: you will only be notified for the items that are meant to be ‘noisy’, i.e. your name and keywords.

– All messages: you will get a (silent) notification for every message happening in the room; your ‘noisy’ events (e.g. your name being mentioned) will still be noisy (red badge and sound).

– All messages (noisy): every message will make a noise on top of the visual notification. Your noisy events will still be differentiated by a red badge.

🔗 How do I set up email notifications?

You can set Element up to email you when you have missed some activity (new messages, new invites…). You can do this in the Notification section of your Settings and turn on the toggle labelled as ‘Enable email notifications’.

🔗 How can I change my display name?

You can change your display name in General section of your Settings (accessible from the drop down menu under your name in the top left corner of the web/desktop app).

🔗 How do I reset my password?

The Element team won't be able to reset passwords or reactivate matrix.org accounts.

If you have forgotten your password, please visit app.element.io and click on the link ‘Set a new password’. You will need to input the email address which is registered to your Element account and choose a new password. An email will then be sent to confirm your request to reset your password. Please follow the link in the email to complete the process and regain access to your account.

If you haven't set an email address for your Element account, please contact your homeserver administrator who may choose to reset your password for you.

User guide

In the guide, learn how to:

Onboard onto the app.

    Create an account

    Set up your profile

    Secure backup

    Device verification

Get into your Element.

    Add People

    Manage rooms

    Set appearance

    Send messages

Get started.

    Messaging features

    Voice messages

    Voice and video calls

    Send files

Get organised.

    Settings

    Spaces

    Favourites

    Notifications

Key points about Element:

- Open messaging and collaboration across the Matrix network

- Real end-to-end encryption and cross-signed device verification for high security

- Complete communication and integration capabilities, including messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, screen sharing, integrations, bots, and widgets

- Synchronized message history across all devices and on the web for continuity

- Open-source nature of Element Android project hosted on GitHub for bug reporting and contributions