Set up a Matrix client

Connect Element or another Matrix app to your Family Chat server for easy sign-in and private family messaging.

Family Chat runs on the Matrix protocol. You can use any compatible chat app to message your family. This guide walks you through signing in with your Family Chat credentials.

Before you start

  1. Confirm your server is running — Log in to the control panel and check that server status shows Running. New servers usually take about a minute after signup.

  2. Find your homeserver URL — On the dashboard you will see your server address. It looks like:

    https://YOUR-FAMILY-SLUG.safechat.family

    Replace YOUR-FAMILY-SLUG with your family slug shown in the control panel (for example, if your slug is smith, use https://smith.safechat.family).

  3. Use the right credentials — Sign in with the email and password for your Family Chat account. Parents add other family members in the control panel; each member uses their own email and password.

Important: Always choose Sign in in your Matrix app, not Create account. Accounts are created and managed in the Family Chat control panel only.

Element is widely used and works well on web, phone, and desktop. These steps use the same homeserver URL from above.

Element Web

  1. Open app.element.io in your browser.
  2. Click Sign in.
  3. Click Edit (or Change) next to the homeserver field.
  4. Enter your full homeserver URL, e.g. https://smith.safechat.family, then continue.
  5. Enter your Family Chat email and password.
  6. You should land in your account. Look for family rooms or direct messages from other members.

Element on iPhone or Android

  1. Install Element from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Open the app and tap Sign in.
  3. Tap Change or Edit on the homeserver / server provider screen.
  4. Choose to use a custom server (wording may vary) and enter your homeserver URL: https://YOUR-FAMILY-SLUG.safechat.family.
  5. Enter your email and password.
  6. Complete any prompts to allow notifications if you want message alerts.

Element Desktop

  1. Download Element from element.io/download.
  2. Open the app and choose Sign in.
  3. Change the homeserver to your Family Chat URL (https://YOUR-FAMILY-SLUG.safechat.family).
  4. Enter your email and password.

Other Matrix clients

The same homeserver URL and Sign in flow apply. Download only from official sites:

AppPlatformsDownload
FluffyChatiOS, Android, desktop, webfluffychat.im
CinnyWebcinny.in
SchildiChatAndroid, desktopschildi.chat

For each app: choose Sign in, set the homeserver to your Family Chat URL, then use your control panel email and password.

Verify it worked

  • You can see rooms or conversations with other family members who have already signed in.
  • Sending a test message works without errors.
  • Your profile shows your Matrix ID (something like @you:yourfamily.safechat.family).

End-to-end encryption

Matrix supports end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for private conversations. In Element, you can enable encryption on a room when you create it. E2EE is handled by the client; Family Chat does not hold the keys to encrypted messages.

What you can do in chat

  • Send messages to family members
  • Create group rooms (for example, “Parents only” or “Vacation planning”)
  • Share photos and files (up to 10 MB per file on your server)
  • Search message history
  • Use reactions, replies, and threads (depending on the client)

Troubleshooting

ProblemWhat to try
Cannot connectDouble-check the homeserver URL includes https:// and your correct family slug.
“Invalid username or password”Use the same email and password as the control panel. Reset credentials via a parent account in the panel if needed.
App asks to registerYou chose Create account by mistake — go back and choose Sign in.
Server not readyWait until the control panel shows Running, then try again.
One app failsTry Element Web or another client to see if the issue is app-specific.

More answers are in the FAQ. For general family security online, see Online safety.

Still need help? Email [email protected] .