User Manual
Choose your app.
You can use the M8Chat app, Element, or both. Same account, same chats.
M8Chat app
Our own app at app.m8chat.au. It runs in your browser and you can add it to your home screen. Simple, fast, and built just for M8Chat.
Element
A full featured chat app made by Element. It comes as Element Web in your browser, Element Desktop for your computer, and Element X for your phone.
Video meetings
Meetings open in your browser from a link. You do not need to install anything. You can start and manage meetings from the website or from the M8Chat app.
Which one should I use?
| M8Chat app | Element | |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Add to home screen, nothing from a store | Browser, or download the Desktop or X app |
| Private encrypted chats | Yes | Yes |
| Find members and message them | Yes | Yes |
| Create and join meetings, see recordings | Yes, built in | Use the website or the M8Chat app |
| Notifications | Yes, once you turn them on | Yes |
| Everything else Element offers (such as sending files, replies and reactions) | Not in the M8Chat app | Yes |
Our suggestion: start with the M8Chat app. If you need something it does not do, use Element for that. You can use both at the same time, because they are the same account.
Using both
- One login. Your M8Chat username and password work in every app and on the website.
- Same chats. A message sent in one app shows in the other.
- Unlock each device. Every new phone, computer or app needs your key before it can read older messages. In the M8Chat app that is your five-word recovery phrase. In Element it is your Security Phrase or Security Key. Keep both safe.
- Element sign-in. In Element, always check the homeserver says
matrix.m8chat.au. The M8Chat app sets that for you.
What runs behind the scenes
M8Chat is built on open-source tools. Element is the app. Matrix is the technology that carries your messages (our server is matrix.m8chat.au). Jitsi runs the video meetings. Open source means anyone can check the code, and large communities keep it up to date.