Matrix Instant Messaging

The network hosts its own instant messaging, based on Matrix 🡕. Discussions, photo and file sharing, audio and video calls : everything stays with us, on our server.

What is Matrix?

Matrix is a messaging system comparable to WhatsApp or Telegram, with three key differences :

• Private: messages are stored on the home server, not with a web giant.
• Encrypted: conversations are end-to-end encrypted by default.
• Open: you can choose your application (client) among several 🡕, on computer or phone.

Conversations are organized into rooms : one room per topic, per family, per project… and direct messages between two people.

Connecting

My Matrix ID is built from my usual account : @prenom:domain.tld. No new password to remember, authentication uses the network’s single sign-on (same as for other services, see Managing my account).

1. On computer: I open https://element.domain.tld in my browser, click Sign in, and authenticate with my network account.

2. On phone: I install the Element app (Android or iPhone). At startup, I choose “Other server” and enter matrix.domain.tld, then authenticate the same way.

3. On first connection, Element prompts me to verify my session and back up my encryption keys. I follow the instructions : this will let me read my old messages on a new device.

The home domain name

Throughout this page, domain.tld refers to the network’s domain name. If in doubt, ask the administrator.

Bridges to WhatsApp, Telegram, and others

A bridge connects Matrix to an external messaging service. Once my bridge is activated, my WhatsApp, Telegram or Messenger conversations appear in Element as ordinary rooms: I read and reply from Element, and my contacts see no difference.

Each bridge is operated by a bot: a special contact that I send commands to. The principle is the same for all:

1. In Element, I start a direct conversation with the bridge’s bot (for example @whatsappbot:domain.tld).

2. I send it login and follow its instructions (scan a QR code, give my number…).

3. That’s it: my conversations arrive as they come. Each person connects their own account, without interfering with other users on the network.

What about privacy?

The bridge decrypts messages to pass them from one world to another: it’s unavoidable, but everything happens on our server, not in some unknown cloud. If in doubt about a command, send help to the bot.

WhatsApp

Bot : @whatsappbot:domain.tld. Send login, choose the QR-code method, then on the phone : WhatsApp → Settings → Linked devices → Link a device, and scan the code displayed in Element. The phone must remain on and connected from time to time, just like WhatsApp Web.

Signal

Bot : @signalbot:domain.tld. Send login, choose the QR-code method, then on the phone : Signal → Settings → Linked devices → Add, and scan the code displayed in Element.

Telegram

Bot : @telegrambot:domain.tld. Send login, then my phone number in international format (+33612345678). Telegram sends me a verification code, which I forward to the bot. If my account has a “two-step” password, the bot will ask for it too.

Messenger (Facebook)

Bot : @messengerbot:domain.tld. Send login and follow the instructions : connection is done by retrieving cookies from an open session on messenger.com using a desktop browser. This is the most technical connection ; feel free to ask the administrator for help.

Discord

Bot : @discordbot:domain.tld. Send login-qr and scan the QR code with the Discord app on your phone (Settings → Scan QR code).

Optional bridge

The Discord bridge is not enabled by default. If it does not respond, ask the administrator to enable it.

Useful commands

Send to the bridge’s bot, in its direct conversation :

Command	Effect
help	List available commands
login	Connect my account
logout	Disconnect my account from the bridge

See also

• Matrix in DNF : bridge architecture
• Matrix: operations guide : deployment and administration