Synology Chat is an instant messaging service on Synology NAS that provides users with an efficient way to communicate and manage information. Once an administrator has set it up, users can use Synology Chat as a fun and customizable platform for team collaboration and communication.

Why use Synology Chat?

Utilize public or private channels

• Create a channel to gather all relevant personnel to ensure everyone is on the same page. You can invite specific members to a private channel or create a public channel that is open to everyone in your company.

Encrypt messages when needed

• Administrators can flexibly turn on the end-to-end encryption feature, allowing users to set a passphrase for private channels and conversations. All the encrypted messages are safely stored on the server and cannot be viewed by administrators.

Chat from anywhere, at anytime

• Chat offers a web browser client and desktop client designed for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. With the iOS and Android mobile apps, you can communicate with others at anytime from wherever you are.

Sign in as a user

1. Enter the following information on the login page:
• Address or QuickConnect ID: Enter the IP address, DDNS hostname, or QuickConnect ID of your Synology NAS.
• Username and Password: Enter your DSM account login info.
2. Click Sign In.

Sign in as a guest

1. If you are signing in as a guest, enter the login info provided for you in the email invitation.
2. Click Sign In.

Enter, join, or create a channel

1. Click the + icon next to CHANNELS to view all available channels.
2. Select a channel you previously joined or want to enter. You can click a channel name to preview it, or search for a channel using the search bar.
3. If you can't find the right channel for your needs, you can just create a new one by clicking on Create.

Invite external guests to a private channel

Users designated as the Guest Manager can invite external guests to private channels.

1. In a private channel, click the Members icon, and navigate to the Guest tab.
   
2. Click Add and then fill in the guest's e-mail, date that their account will expire, and the language they will view Chat in. You can also decide if you want to hide the channel history from the guest.
   
3. Click Send to send the invitation. Once the guest clicks on the link, they will join the private chat as a member until their guest account expires.

Create a conversation

1. Click the + icon next to CONVERSATIONS to view all Synology Chat members.
2. Select the members you would like to to chat with. You can search for members or conversation groups by username or nickname using the search box.
3. Click Chat to start the conversation.

Create an encrypted conversation

Only users who have configured a passphrase can create or be invited to an encrypted conversation.

Configure a passphrase

1. Click on your account icon > Encryption and click Set passphrase.
   
2. Enter the passphrase you want to use. You can tick Download private key and save it to your device in case you ever forget your passphrase.
3. Now, you're ready to start creating encrypted conversations!

Encrypt a conversation

1. Click the + icon next to CONVERSATIONS to view all Synology Chat members.
2. Tick the Encrypt conversation option. The system will prompt you to set up a passphrase if you haven't already.
   
3. Select the members you would like to chat with and click Chat.

With Synology Chat, not only are you able to express your thoughts and feelings through words but also through reactions/emoji, hashtags and much more. Here are some of the ways you can express yourself with Synology Chat:

React to a message

1. Hover over any message that you would like to react to.
2. Click on the Add reaction icon to select an emoji.
3. Your reaction will be added to the bottom of the message. You can click your reaction again to remove it.

Add an emoji or sticker to your message

1. Click on the Emoji icon under the text field.
2. Select the emoji or sticker you would like to add to your message.
   

Create and manage a poll

To create a poll:

1. Click on the Create a poll icon under the text field.
   
2. Enter the poll question and answer options. To add attachments, click Attach file and select the files you want to upload.
3. In Advanced Settings, choose whether or not to allow multiple choice and anonymous voting.

To edit/close/delete a poll:

1. Poll creators can hover their mouse over the More icon on the upper right corner of a poll to edit, close, or delete the poll.

Pin a message

1. Hover your mouse over a message and click the Pin message icon on the right, or click More > Pin message.
   
2. The message will be added to Pinned messages in Bulletin. Users in the channel or conversation will automatically be subscribed to this message.
3. To remove a pinned message, click the Bulletin icon on the upper-right corner and click the ⋯ More options icon > Unpin message.

If you are also using Synology Office, you can launch the Chat plugin to make online collaboration even more instant and interactive. This allows you to chat with others without having to switch windows.

To use the Chat plugin in Office:

1. In a file, click on the Open Synology Chat plugin icon in the left sidebar.
   
2. A Chat window will appear. You can have a conversation with anyone, or you can open a chat with those who are currently working on the document.
   
3. Your conversation records in the Chat plugin will be synced with your Synology Chat.

Synology Chat Client is a feature-rich desktop native client developed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing you to enjoy instant messaging on your PC.

Download Synology Chat Client from the Download Center and install it on your computer to get started.

Set up the desktop application

1. To launch the setup wizard, do either of the following:
   • On your Windows computer, go to Start > All Programs > Synology Chat Client to launch the setup wizard.
   • On your Mac, go to Finder > Applications > Synology Chat Client to launch the setup wizard.
   • On your Linux, go to Dash > Applications > Internet > Synology Chat Client to launch the setup wizard.
2. Click Next to continue.
3. Enter your DSM IP address, QuickConnect ID, and Username and Password.
4. Choose if you want to secure your connections with HTTPS and if you want to log in automatically or via a guest account.
5. Click Sign in to connect.
6. After you've signed in, do either of the following to configure the settings:
   • On your Windows computer, click the upper-left icon and select Settings.
   • On your Mac or Linux, go to the menu bar and select Settings.

Synology Chat allows you to create a safe and secure place where conversations can be held in real-time. Using Synology Chat to create a channel for purpose-oriented discussion or a conversation for temporary talk.

iOS and Android Chat are free and available on the following versions:

• iOS: 11.0 or above
• Android: 8.0 or above

Learn more about how to use the Chat app by referring to the related Help articles for Android or iOS.

Related videos and articles

• Introduction to Synology Collaboration Suite
• Synology Chat Quick Start Guide for administrators
• How do I configure webhooks and slash commands in Synology Chat?
• Synology Chat Client is not sending desktop notifications. What can I do?
• More videos and articles for Synology Chat