M8Chat User Manual – Element X Mobile

Setting Up Element X on Your Phone

Get M8Chat running on your iPhone or Android in a few minutes.

Use this guide when: You want to chat on your phone using the Element X app. We recommend setting up Element Web first (to create your Security Phrase), then coming back here.

1

Download Element X

iPhone

Search “Element X” in the App Store and download it.

Android

Search “Element X” in Google Play and download it.

IMPORTANT: Download “Element X” (the newer version), NOT “Element” (the older version). They’re different apps.

2

Open the App and Select “Sign In”

DO NOT select “Create Account”. Your account was already created when you subscribed to M8Chat. If you try to create a new account, it will not work on our server.

Tap “Sign In” to continue.

3

Change the Homeserver

CRITICAL: The app defaults to matrix.org — this is NOT our server. You MUST change it.

  1. Look for “Edit”, “Other”, or “Change homeserver” on the sign-in screen
  2. Type: matrix.m8chat.au
  3. Tap “Next” or “Continue”

Note: The exact location of this setting may change with app updates. Look for a “homeserver” or “server” option on the sign-in screen.

4

Enter Your Username and Password

Use the same username and password from your M8Chat subscription.

Tap “Sign In”.

5

Verify Your Device

For security, Element X needs to verify this device. This is how it knows it’s really you.

  • If you already set up a Security Phrase on the web (recommended), enter it now.
  • If this is your first device, you’ll be asked to create a Security Phrase. Follow the same process described in the Element Web guide.

Without verification, you CANNOT see encrypted messages. Don’t skip this step.

✓

Start Chatting

Your default rooms appear automatically. Tap a room to enter it. Tap the “+” button to start a new conversation or explore the room directory.

How to Find Other Members

  1. Tap the search icon at the top of the screen
  2. Type a name or username
  3. Send them a message — this acts as an invite to connect
  4. They can accept or decline

Room Directory

The room directory shows public rooms you can join. Browse it to find conversations that interest you.

Private rooms won’t appear here — you need an invite from a room member to join those.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

“I can’t find Element X in my app store”

Make sure your phone is running iOS 16+ or Android 10+. Older operating systems aren’t supported by Element X.

“The app says ‘homeserver not found'”

Check your spelling carefully: matrix.m8chat.au (no www, no https://). Make sure you’re connected to the internet.

“I can’t verify my device”

Log in on the web first at chat.m8chat.au, set up your Security Phrase there, then come back to the app and enter it.

“Messages show as ‘Unable to decrypt'”

You need to verify your device. Go to Settings → Security and enter your Security Phrase.

What Happens Next?

You’re set up on your phone. Messages will sync across all your devices — anything you send or receive on your phone also appears on the web and desktop.

Enable notifications in your phone settings so you don’t miss messages.

Related Pages

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