Knowledge Center

Chat (iOS)

Version 2.9.0

Respond to messages, collaborate with team members, and share information on the go using the Synology Chat mobile app. All messages are safely stored on your Synology NAS server.

Before You Start

Set up Synology Chat Server on a Synology NAS running DSM 6.2 or above:

  1. Sign in to DSM with an account belonging to the administrator group.
  2. Go to Package Center > Synology Chat Server > Install.

Getting Started

To sign in to Chat :

  1. Enter the following information:
    • Address or QuickConnect ID: Enter the IP address, DDNS hostname, or QuickConnect ID of your Synology NAS.
    • Account and Password: Enter your DSM account sign-in credentials.
  2. Select HTTPS if you want the connection to be SSL/TLS encrypted.
  3. Tap Sign In.

To sign in as a guest:

  1. Enable I'm a guest.
  2. Enter the sign-in details provided in the email invite.
  3. Select HTTPS if you want the connection to be SSL/TLS encrypted.
  4. Tap Sign in.

Note:

  • If you can't sign in to Chat, try signing in to DSM with an account belonging to the administrator group and go to Control Panel > User > Edit > Applications > Synology Chat Server to enable your account.
  • If you enable HTTPS, make sure it is also enabled on your Synology NAS :
    • Control Panel > Login Portal > DSM for DSM 7.0 and above.
    • Control Panel > Network > DSM Settings for DSM 6.2.

Navigating Chat

Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon to open the left panel. Here, you can view the following functions and settings:

  • Profile settings
  • Mute notifications
  • Settings:
    • Login information
    • Logout
    • Settings
    • Data and storage
    • Security settings
    • Encryption
    • Usage analysis
    • About
  • Search
  • Unread
  • Starred
  • Channels
  • Conversations
  • My Space
  • Bots

Joining Channels and Conversations

Synology Chat consists of the following:

  • Channels: Chats dedicated to team collaboration, organized by specific projects, topics, or departments.
  • Conversations: Private 1-on-1 or group chats.

To create or join channels:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Go to Channels and tap the add icon. Here, you can view all public channels.
  3. Tap Create or tap a channel to Join.

Note:

  • You can only join private channels upon invitation.
  • You can only encrypt private channels if your administrator has enabled this feature.
  • Channel names can't be duplicated.

To start conversations:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Go to Conversations and tap the add icon. Here, you can view all Chat users.
  3. Select 1 or more users and tap Chat.

Note:

  • The maximum number of people in a group conversation is 9. When you select more than 8 people (including yourself), you will be prompted to create a channel instead.
  • To start a conversation with a user from a group conversation, tap their profile picture and then tap the bt_talk.png chat icon.

To access 1-on-1 conversations with deactivated users:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Go to Conversations and tap the add icon.
  3. Tap the arrow icon next to Conversations.
  4. Select Deactivated users.
  5. Tap the name of the user.

Note:

  • The messaging function is unavailable in conversations with deactivated users.
  • Group conversations that include deactivated users will appear in the general conversation list.

To start bot conversations:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Go to Bots and tap the add icon.
  3. Select a bot.

Note:

  • Bots can't be added to group conversations or channels.
  • If the bot's outgoing URL isn't set, the message input field in the conversation will not be available.
  • Hidden bots will appear on the bot list only when they actively start a conversation with you.

Sending and Managing Messages

You can send, manage, and organize your messages in channels and conversations using various tools.

Editing and deleting

Depending on the settings configured by your administrator, you can edit or delete any message or only those sent within the last 24 hours.

To edit messages:

Long press the message and tap Edit.

To delete messages:

  1. Long press the message and tap Edit.
  2. Tap the delete icon.

Note:

  • Message modification is only available if enabled by your administrator.

Copying and forwarding

To copy messages:

Long press the message and tap Copy.

To copy selected text:

  1. Long press the message and tap Select Text.
  2. Select the text to copy and tap Done.

To forward messages:

  1. Long press the message and tap Forward message.
  2. Select the channel or conversation you want to forward the message to.
  3. Tap Forward.

Voice messages

To send voice messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the microphone.png microphone icon and start speaking.
  3. Tap the stop icon when you're done. You'll then see the following options:
    • Preview message: Tap the playrecord.png replay icon.
    • Send message: Tap the micsend.png send icon.
    • Cancel message: Tap the endrecord.png cancel icon.

Note:

  • The maximum length of a voice message is 60 seconds. Recordings will automatically stop after this point.
  • Recording voice messages requires microphone permission.

Files and links

To upload files:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the file.png file icon.
  3. Select your file and tap Done.

To manage files and links:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon and select Files or URL.
  3. You can also tap the ⋯ more icon next to the file or link to Bookmark it or Jump to the original message.

Message threads

You can reply to specific messages to start threads within channels or conversations.

To start message threads:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press the message and select Comment. From here, you can:
    • Write messages
    • Add mentions
    • Add emojis
    • Upload files
    • Tap the ⋯ more icon to subscribe

To manage message threads:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the toolbar_thread.png collections icon to view message threads. From here you can:
    • Read new messages
    • Unsubscribe from the thread
    • Pin messages
    • Bookmark messages
    • Tap the ⋯ more icon to Jump to the original message

Scheduling

To schedule messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the i_schedule.png schedule icon.
  3. Schedule the time for sending the message.
  4. Write your message and tap Save.

To view, edit, or delete scheduled messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the toolbar_thread.png collections icon.
  3. Tap the tab_schedule_DL.png scheduled message icon.
  4. Tap the ⋯ more icon to Edit or Delete the scheduled message.

Reminders

Set up reminders to follow up on messages at a later time. Reminders are only visible to you.

To create reminders:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press the message and select Remind me.
  3. Schedule the time to receive the reminder.
  4. The reminder will be posted to My Space at the specified time.

To view or edit reminders:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the toolbar_thread.png collections icon.
  3. Tap the tab_reminder_DL.png reminders icon. From here, you can:
    • Tap the ⋯ more icon to Jump to the original message
    • Edit the reminder

Unread messages

To preview unread messages:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Long press the Unread conversation or channel to preview messages.
  3. You can leave it as unread or select Mark as read.

Note:

  • Once the messages are read, they can't be marked as unread.

Mentioning

To mention someone:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the mention icon or type "@".
  3. Type the username or select one from the list.

Bookmarks

To bookmark messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press the message and select Bookmark.

To remove bookmarks:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press the message and select RemoveBookmark.

To view bookmarks:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the toolbar_thread.png collections icon.
  3. Tap the tab_bookmark_DL.png bookmark icon. From here, you can:
    • Tap the ⋯ more icon to Jump to the original message
    • Tap Remove Bookmark

Pinning

To pin messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press your message and select Pin message.

To remove pinned messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Long press your message and select Unpin message.

To view pinned messages:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon >Pinned messages. From here, you can:
    • Tap the ⋯ more icon to Jump to the original message
    • Unpin
    • Remove Bookmark
    • Pin to the top

Hashtags

To add hashtags to messages:

Choose either of the following methods:

  • Within the message, type "#" followed by the keyword.
  • Long press the message and tap Add hashtag.

To search hashtags:

Tap the hashtag and select Search this hashtag.

To delete hashtags:

Tap the hashtag and select Delete.

Emojis and reactions

To use emojis and stickers:

Within your message, tap the emoticon.png emoji icon and select the desired emoji or sticker.

To react to messages:

  1. Long press the message.
  2. Tap Add reaction and select an emoji.
  3. Your emoji will appear at the bottom of the message. You can tap the emoji to remove it.

Polls

To create polls:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the i_vote.png poll icon.
  3. Enter the poll question and options. You can attach a file if needed.
  4. Tap Advanced settings for additional settings:
    • Allow multiple choice
    • Anonymous voting
    • Allow others to add poll options
    • Closing time
  5. Tap Create.

Note:

  • The maximum word count for a poll question and option is 120 characters.
  • A poll must include at least 2 non-repeated options.

To edit, close, or delete polls:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon to edit, close, or delete a poll.

Note:

  • If users have voted in a poll, only the following can be edited in Advanced settings:
    • Allow others to add poll options
    • Closing time
  • Poll results will be posted to the channel either at the closing time or when the poll is manually closed.

Video conferences

To start video conferences using third-party applications:

  1. Go to the channel or conversation.
  2. Enter /jitsi or /jumpchat in the message input field. The video conference address will be sent to the channel or conversation.
  3. Users in the channel or conversation can join the conference by tapping the address.

Note:

  • This feature integrates services provided by third-party providers. For more details, visit the official websites of these providers.

Search

To search messages:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon >Search.
  2. Search for messages from any channels or conversations. You can also tap Advanced to narrow your results using the following search modifiers:
    • Channels
    • Users
    • Mentions
    • Bookmarks
    • URL
    • Files
    • Reactions
    • Pinned messages
    • Polls
    • Hashtags
    • File types
    • From/To

Managing Channels and Conversations

To manage channels:

  1. Go to the channel.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon >Channel Settings. From here, you can view the following settings:
    • Channel name and purpose.
    • Members
    • Star
    • Notifications
    • Channel management: Archive or Close channel
    • Leave

To revive users in encrypted channels:

  1. Go to the encrypted channel.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon >Channel Settings.
  3. Tap the user to revive them.

To manage conversations:

  1. Go to the conversation.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon >Conversation settings. From here, you can view the following settings:
    • Members
    • Star
    • Notifications
    • Convert conversation to private channel
    • Close conversation

To manage bot conversations:

  1. Go to the bot conversation.
  2. Tap the ⋯ more icon >Bot Conversation Settings. From here, you can view the following settings:
    • Star
    • Notifications
    • Unsubscribe

Note:

  • When a channel or conversation is closed, it will be removed from the server and messages will be automatically archived. To view the messages, go to the Synology Chat web browser or desktop client and click on the profile icon >Archive Viewer.

Configuring Chat Settings

You can customize Chat settings to your preference.

To edit your profile:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the profile icon to edit the following details:
    • Nickname
    • Email
    • Description

To edit preferences:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the setting.png settings icon >Settings to edit the following options:
    • Press Enter to send: Enable this option to use the Enter or Return key to send messages.
    • Open links in: Choose Default external browser or In-app browser. You can also choose to open links in Synology apps.
    • Preload messages when message notifications are received: Enable this option to load messages faster when opening conversations from notifications.
      • Only when using Wi-Fi
      • When using Wi-Fi or cellular data: This option might incur additional charges depending on your mobile data plan.
    • Theme
    • Auto switch to RTL layout: Enable this option to display text from right to left. Currently, only Arabic is supported.
    • Sort channels and conversations by:
      • Starred
      • Channel
      • Conversations
      • Bots

To set storage limits:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the setting.png settings icon >Settings to edit the following options:
    • Cache management: Set storage limit for images and files.
    • Outgoing image quality: Send images at a reduced quality.

To set security options:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the setting.png settings icon >Security Settings to edit the following options:
    • Configure passcode: Enable Passcode lock to set up a passcode for unlocking the app.
    • Trusted connection: Manage trusted connections.

To decrypt channels:

You only need to decrypt all channels and conversations on each device once.

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the setting.png settings icon >Encryption.
  3. Tap Decrypt channels and enter your passphrase. Once decrypted, you can:
    • Change passphrase
    • Renew private key

To set usage analysis:

  1. Tap the bt_nav_DL.png menu icon.
  2. Tap the setting.png settings icon >Usage Analysis to edit the following options:
    • Analytics: Enable Share Chat Analytics.
    • Export diagnostic logs: Export logs if you need to identify any issues with Chat.
Before You Start
Getting Started
Navigating Chat
Joining Channels and Conversations
Sending and Managing Messages
Editing and deleting
Copying and forwarding
Voice messages
Files and links
Message threads
Scheduling
Reminders
Unread messages
Mentioning
Bookmarks
Pinning
Hashtags
Emojis and reactions
Polls
Video conferences
Search
Managing Channels and Conversations
Configuring Chat Settings