Join and leave channels

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Join a channel

Channels are either public or private.

  • Public channels are identified with a Globe Public channels are identified with a Globe icon. icon. Anyone on the team can join a public channel.

  • Private channels are typically used for sensitive topics, and are identified with a Lock Private channels are identified with a Lock icon. icon. You must be invited to private channels by another channel member.

Note

To join a private channel, you need to be added to the channel by a member of that channel.

To join a public channel:

  1. Select the Add channels button in the channel sidebar, then select Browse Channels.

Alternatively, you can select The Plus icon provides access to channel and direct message functionality. at the top of the channel sidebar, then select Browse Channels.

You can browse available channels to join using the + option at the top of the channel sidebar.

  1. Select Join next to the public channel you want to join.

When browsing available channels, select the join option next to any channel to become a member.

  1. Tap The Plus icon provides access to channel and direct message functionality. located in the top right corner the app.

Tap the plus icon to view additional options.

  1. Tap Browse Channels.

Click on Browse Channels to view the list of public channels.

  1. Tap the public channel you want to join.

Tap on the public channel name that you want to join.

Tip

When you join channels, depending on the channel actions configured, you may see a welcome message, and channels may be added to a category in your channel sidebar automatically. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, access Channel Actions from the channel name drop-down menu in the center pane to see what automatic actions have been configured.

See the following documentation to learn more about working with channels:

Leave a channel

When you leave a private channel, you must be re-added by another channel member to rejoin. You won’t receive mention notifications from a channel if you’re not a member of that channel.

Note

All users are added to the Town Square channel automatically. This means that users can’t archive, unarchive, or leave the Town Square channel. However, guests who are manually invited to Town Square can leave the channel.

Select the channel name at the top of the center pane to access the drop-down menu, then select Leave Channel.

You can use channel options available from the channel name to leave a channel.

  1. Tap the channel you want to leave.

Select the channel that you want to leave.

  1. Tap the More Use the More icon in the top left corner to access Mattermost desktop apps customization settings. icon located in the top right corner of the app.

Tap on More options to access available options for the channel you want to leave.

  1. Tap Leave channel.

Tap on Leave channel to leave the current channel.

  1. Tap on Leave to confirm you choice.

Tap on Leave to confirm your choice.

Leave a public channel added by a membership policy

From Mattermost v11.8.0, when you leave a public channel you were added to by a membership policy, Mattermost asks you to confirm:

  • Choosing Leave channel removes you from the channel.

  • Choosing Mute instead keeps you in the channel and mutes its notifications.

If the channel is already muted, Mattermost shows Cancel and Leave channel instead of Mute instead.