zulip/templates/zerver/help/zulip-on-android.md

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Using Zulip on Android

Zulip has an Android application, compatible with Android versions 3.2 and higher.

It's available on the Google Play Store, and can be downloaded from here, or by clicking the badge below.

Play Store badge

Initial setup

Connecting to a server

When you open the app for the first time, or after you log out, a screen asking for your server's address appears. You have to write the server's URL in it, and press Enter.

!!! tip "" There's no need to add https:// in case your server is running secure HTTP (HTTPS) protocol.

!!! warn "" If your server uses unsecure HTTP, you'll have to write http:// manually. A message will appear, warning you about the risks of using this type of connections. In case you have no other choice, choose Use HTTP.

Logging in

After connecting to the server, you'll be able to log in either with an email address and a password, or using your Google account.

!!! tip "" If you decide to log in with an email/password combination, enter them in the text fields and press Log in.

![Login form](/static/images/help/android-log-in.png)

!!! tip "" If you prefer to log in with your Google account, press the Sign in button with Google's logo on it.

![Google button](/static/images/help/android-google-sign-in-button.png)

You will be asked to choose which one do you want to
use, between those you have configured in your device.

Logging in (development servers)

The Android application supports using development servers as well. However, after connecting to the server, the following will appear:

Dev login screen

In order to log in, press Dev backend testing server, and choose the account you want to use:

Dev accounts

Logging out

You only need to do this when you want to switch to another account or server.

Tap the three dots () in the top right corner of the screen, and choose Log out.

Log out

Using the app

Sending a stream message

  1. Press the pencil button at the right bottom side of the screen, in case the compose box isn't already there.

  2. Make sure you are in the "stream message" mode. You should see the icon of a person (Person icon) at the right-hand side of the composing area. If it isn't there, tap the megaphone (Megaphone icon).

  3. Fill the name of the stream where you want to send your message in the Stream field.

    !!! tip "" Suggestions matching the entered name will appear as you type the stream's name.

  4. Enter the topic of your message in Topic.

  5. Write your message in the field at the bottom, the one that says Tap on a message to compose reply.

  6. Hit the paper plane icon (Paper plane icon) to send your message.

Stream message

Sending a private message

  1. Press the pencil button at the right bottom side of the screen, in case the compose box isn't already there.

  2. Make sure you are in the "stream message" mode. You should see the icon of a megaphone (Megaphone icon) at the right-hand side of the composing area. If it isn't there, tap the person (Person icon).

  3. Enter the email address of the person you want to chat with in the Person field.

    !!! tip "" Suggestions matching the entered email address will appear as you type it.

  4. Write your message in the field at the bottom, the one that says Tap on a message to compose reply.

  5. Hit the paper plane icon (Paper plane icon) to send your message.

Private message

Replying to a message

  1. Tap the message you want to reply to in the message list.
  2. The Stream and Topic fields will automatically fill.
  3. Write your message in the field at the bottom, the one that says Tap on a message to compose reply.
  4. Hit the paper plane icon (Paper plane icon) to send your message.

Narrowing to a stream

There are multiple ways of narrowing to a stream in Zulip's Android app.

By swiping to the right from the border of the screen, or by hitting the menu () icon, you'll be able to see a list of the streams you're subscribed to.

Streams list

You can tap one of them to narrow to that stream.

Another way is to press the name of a stream in a message. This will automatically narrow your message list to the pressed stream.

Narrowing to a topic

You can narrow your message list to a specific topic by tapping the name of the topic over a message.

Searching for messages

To look for messages containing some specific terms:

  1. Tap the magnifying glass (Magnifying glass icon) icon at the top of the screen.
  2. Write the desired search terms.
  3. Press enter in your keyboard.

Message search

Filtering messages

You can filter the messages in your list. To do it:

  1. Press the filter (Filter icon) icon in the top right side of the screen (between the magnet and the three dots ).
  2. Choose the filtering criteria.
  3. The message list will refresh, showing only the matching messages.

Manually refreshing the message list

The messages will appear automatically as they are sent. However, you can manually refresh them by scrolling to the bottom, or by tapping the three dots () in the top right corner, and choosing Refresh.

Refresh option

Day/Night themes

Zulip's Android app offers two different themes. One lighter (day theme), and one with dark colors (night theme), that makes reading more comfortable when there isn't much light.

Night theme

To switch between both, tap the three dots () at the top right corner of the screen, and hit Switch Day/Night Theme.

Switch themes