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Using the Group Chat feature the Church App

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Chat is a feature built into Groups within the Tithely Church App. Before you can start using Chat, you must activate Groups. Learn more about setting up your Groups within Tithely People and adding Groups to your App, then proceed below. In this article we will cover Enabling a Group Chat, Starting a Group Chat, and an Overview of Group Chat Features in the Tithely Church App.

Group Chat Features

  • Send a message.

  • React to a message using one of the following emojis: 🎉 🙌🏼 😄 👍🏼 😂 ❤️

  • Online Presence: member avatars change from full-color to black and white depending on if online.

    • Online: color

    • Offline: black and white

  • Send a photo or video.

  • Send a gif.

  • Mention specific people in your group using the @ symbol and typing their names.

Tithely Tip

This feature does not include chat moderation however Leaders can delete messages in the group chat.

Enable Chat in the App for Groups

Tithely Tip

You must create your groups in Tithely People to enable Group Chat.
📄 More Information: Setting up Your Groups

  1. Login to your Tithely Admin account.

  2. Select People from the left-hand menu.

  3. Select Groups.

  4. Select the Group you'd like to enable chat for.

  5. Under the Edit Group section, toggle on Show in App.

  6. Once Show in App is toggled on, you can toggle on Group Chat.
    People_Groups_Show_in_App_Chat.png

  7. Set your Group Access to Private or Public.

    • Private will allow an App user to request to join a group. Requests are sent to the group leader.

    • Public groups allow App users to join without requesting.

  8. Select Save Group.

Tithely Tip

The Group Type determines what data will display within the App. If you would like location, time, and frequency shown, those items must be turned on within the Group Type.

How to Start a Group Chat in the App

  1. Launch your Church App on your mobile device.

  2. Navigate to Groups within the App.
    Screen_Shot_2021-07-26_at_3.07.33_PM.png

  3. Tap on the Chat Icon 💬 in the top right of the screen.

  4. Choose the Group you'd like to start chatting with.

  5. Type a message in the text box or select the + icon to send an image or media. 
  6. Select the Paper Plane icon when you are ready to send your message.

 

How to Access and Edit Notification Settings From Within the Group

Note: There is no global management setting to affect all groups.

  1. Launch the Church App on your mobile device.
  2. Navigate to Groups.

  3. Select the Group you would like to edit.
    IN_app_settings_notificatinos_.png

  4. Click Settings.
    Note: You may need to scroll to the left in the top scrolling menu to locate Settings.

  5. Select Notifications.

  6. Set your notification preference.
    Screen_Shot_2022-01-19_at_11.08.52_AM.png

    Tithely Tip

    Notifications can be muted for 5 different durations.
    When a duration is chosen, the App lets you know when the setting has expired and notifications will resume (image above on the right).

  7. Select whether you would like to pause or continue to be notified when someone specifically mentions you within the chat.

  8. Select Back when finished. 
    Note: Your changes are automatically saved.

Viewing Unread Messages:

  1. Main Groups Page: Top right chat icon 💬 with the number of unread messages.

  2. Individual Group Page: Chat button with the number of unread messages.

  3. While in an active chat, as new messages are sent users will notice a blue bar saying "X number of unread messages below."

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