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Prepare paper and pencil. You’ll need to write down a security key that looks something like:
EsTU wicT NjeF 7cA8 n6NM hjqy RvDZ nYFW MwNd SCQD iscU JRuc
You can store it in your password manager, but if you’re serious about encryption and privacy, don’t put it anywhere else.
Download the app
Launch it, choose Create Account
- Others will search you as @<USERNAME>:matrix.org (so I’d go for something short but wouldn’t use a full real name)
Enter and confirm email
- Used for account verification
- By default nobody will be able to search you with it
Back up your Security Key
- Go to the main screen (so far it’s empty)
- Tap the round icon with your initial at the top left
Security & Privacy-> Secure Backup ->Set up Secure Backup->Use a Security Key- If you don’t see the “Secure Backup” menu, finish the installation and have a look here
- Write the displayed key on a piece of paper and put it between your birth certificate and your high school diploma. Alternatively, you can save the key in your password manager.
This is important. The broader context here.
- After you write down the key it’s impossible to return to the home screen. You have to kill the app and reopen it. The backup is created with this however.
Initial settings
- Icon with your initial at the top left ->
Notifications- Email notifications
- You probably want to turn this off. In my experience, email notifications don’t work reliably anyway.
- Email notifications
- Sometimes Element may not show a notification when you receive a message. In such case, a few more measures are needed, see here.
Find others and start chatting
- Pencil icon on the bottom right ->
Start Chat - Search others as @<USERNAME>:matrix.org
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Try it with
@vlaje-test:matrix.org. It’s my test account. I may or may not approve you and reply at some point.
- As soon as you send the first message to the person, they’ll receive a chat invitation
Next steps
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