How do I start a chat with someone?

You can start a chat with another Fedian by navigating to the Chat tab > tapping the Blue + > and either scanning their Fedi QR code or pasting their chat link, which contains their unique npub.

Note that scanning someone's QR code immediately opens a new conversation with them, while pasting their chat link triggers a pop-up that asks if you want to open the URL in your browser. Tap Continue on this pop-up to start the conversation.

When you tap the Blue +, there is also an option to enter a username. Keep in mind that even though you may know the display name of the person you'd like to chat with, typing it in will only return a result if you have already chatted with that Fedian in the past. 

This is due to the privacy-preserving nature of the Matrix protocol on which Fedi Global Chat is built. All direct conversations and private groups are end-to-end encrypted, and Fedians are only discoverable via their display name on the Fedi app by users whom they've chatted with previously.

If starting a conversation with someone for the first time, you will need to either scan their QR code or copy and paste their chat link in order to find them on the app. From that point forward, you will be able to find them just by typing in their display name.

Once you have started a conversation and sent your first message to a friend, you can use the icons below the text box to send & request eCash payments, share photos & videos, and send other file types.

Lastly, note that you can also start a direct conversation with a member of a chat group you belong to by tapping their profile icon in the chat feed or by tapping their name in the group's member list and selecting Go to direct chat.