--- title: How to initiate a message using the Chat plugin description: Learn how to start a direct message from connected plugins like Directory, Community Wall, or Uploads. --- [Skip to content](https://help.appdocumentation.com/how-to-initiate-a-message-using-the-chat-plugin#main-content) English - United States Show submenu for translations ![app-documentation](https://help.appdocumentation.com/hubfs/app-documentation-1.svg) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English - United States Show submenu for translations How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [App Documentation](https://help.appdocumentation.com/?hsLang=en-us) 2. [Add Functionality To Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us) 3. [Plugins to drive engagement & community](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-engagement-community) # How to initiate a message using the Chat plugin ## Learn how to start a direct message from connected plugins like Directory, Community Wall, or Uploads. You can use the Chat plugin to send direct messages from different areas of your app, leveraging the Directory, Community Wall, or Uploads plugin. --- ### **Requirements** - Availability of this feature depends on your account configuration. If you don’t see this option in your Control Panel, contact your account administrator. - The Chat plugin must be connected to at least one of the following: Directory, Community Wall, or Uploads --- ### **How to initiate a message using the Chat plugin** - Using the Directory plugin 1. Open the Directory and view the list of users 2. Tap on the user you want to message 3. Tap the messaging option (label may vary depending on your app setup) 4. You’ll be taken to your message thread with that user—if no previous thread exists, a new one will be started - Using the Community Wall 1. Tap on a user’s **name** or **profile picture** 2. list of options will appear—tap **Send Direct Message** 3. You’ll be directed to the conversation thread - Using the Uploads plugin 1. Tap the number next to the upload arrow to view a list of uploaders 2. Tap on the name of the uploader you wish to message 3. Tap the Message option to open the conversation thread --- ### **Pro tips** - The messaging label (e.g., "Chat") can be customized in your app’s settings - Threads persist between sessions, so returning users can continue past conversations seamlessly --- ### **Troubleshooting tips** - If the messaging option isn’t showing, confirm that the Chat plugin is properly connected to the Directory, Community Wall, or Uploads plugin - Make sure the user you are trying to message is logged in and has messaging permissions enabled - [Control Panel](https://help.appdocumentation.com/control-panel?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Navigating the Control Panel](https://help.appdocumentation.com/control-panel?hsLang=en-us#navigating-the-control-panel) - [Global Tools](https://help.appdocumentation.com/control-panel?hsLang=en-us#global-tools) - [Terms & Policies](https://help.appdocumentation.com/control-panel?hsLang=en-us#terms-policies) - [Build Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Global Settings](https://help.appdocumentation.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#global-settings) - [Building Your Apps's Navigation](https://help.appdocumentation.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-appss-navigation) - [Building Your Login Flow](https://help.appdocumentation.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-login-flow) - [Building a PWA](https://help.appdocumentation.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-a-pwa) - [Add Functionality To Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Plugins to drive engagement & community](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-engagement-community) - [Plugins to drive monetization](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-monetization) - [Plugins to run operations & workflows](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-run-operations-workflows) - [Plugins to show content & media](https://help.appdocumentation.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-show-content-media) - [Make Money With Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Overview](https://help.appdocumentation.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview) - [iOS/Apple](https://help.appdocumentation.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#ios-apple) - [Android/Google](https://help.appdocumentation.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#android-google) - [Publish Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Overview](https://help.appdocumentation.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview) - [Android/Google](https://help.appdocumentation.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#android-google) - [iOS/Apple](https://help.appdocumentation.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#ios-apple) - [Manage Your App](https://help.appdocumentation.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Managing Your App’s Users](https://help.appdocumentation.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#managing-your-apps-users) - [Push Notifications](https://help.appdocumentation.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#push-notifications) - [Analytics](https://help.appdocumentation.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#analytics) - [Connect External Partners](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Android/Google](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#android-google) - [iOS/Apple](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#ios-apple) - [Zapier](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#zapier) - [Meta](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#meta) - [Segment](https://help.appdocumentation.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#segment) Copyright © 2026, App Documentation