VibeDeck access

Set up private chat.

Check your invite, create your account, connect Element, save recovery, then say hello to the person who invited you.

Private access · encrypted chat

Start onboarding Open web chat

Invite

Check your invite code

Your invite code is provided by your inviter. Keep it private and copy it exactly as shown.

Invite code

Paste your code here to check it before you continue.

About invite codes

Codes are personal and time-limited.
If a code is expired or rejected, ask your inviter for a fresh one.
Your invite link may fill this in automatically.

I have a valid invite code ready

Account

Create your account

Open the account portal. If this page already has your invite code, it will be included automatically.

Username: lowercase letters and numbers only, for example alex123.
Sign-in security: use a passkey, security key, or authenticator app if prompted.

Open account portal

Username and sign-in security

Use the same account when Element asks you to sign in.

No capitals, spaces, dots, underscores, hyphens, or symbols in usernames.
If you choose an authenticator app, scan the QR code and enter the 6-digit code it shows.
If you choose a passkey or security key, approve the sign-in with your device, password manager, or key.

My account is ready

Element setup

Choose your device

When Element asks for a homeserver, enter: Loading setup…

Download and install Element Desktop for Windows.
Open Element and choose Sign in.
Choose Other or Change for the homeserver, then enter Loading setup….
Sign in with your account.
Create and save your recovery key when Element asks.
Start a direct chat with your inviter.

Download Element

I finished Windows setup

Install Element X from Google Play or F-Droid.
Open Element X and tap Sign in.
Select a custom/other homeserver and enter Loading setup….
Sign in with your account.
Create and save your recovery key when Element asks.
Allow notifications if you want alerts, then start a direct chat with your inviter.

Google Play F-Droid

I finished Android setup

Install Element X from the App Store.
Open Element X and tap Sign in.
Choose a custom/other homeserver and enter Loading setup….
Sign in with your account.
Create and save your recovery key when Element asks.
Enable notifications if you want alerts, then start a direct chat with your inviter.

App Store

I finished iPhone/iPad setup

Open Loading setup….
Click Sign in.
Confirm or enter homeserver Loading setup….
Sign in with your account.
Create and save your recovery key when Element asks.
Start a direct chat with your inviter.

Open web chat

I finished web setup

Save your recovery key

Element may ask you to set up recovery after you sign in. Save the recovery key before you start using the account regularly.

Save the recovery key somewhere private, such as your password manager.
Do not send the recovery key to anyone.
If you lose it, old encrypted messages may not unlock on new devices.

First message

Start your first chat

After signing in, reply to your inviter or start a direct chat with the contact who shared your invite. If you are unsure, open web chat and ask your inviter where to begin.

I started my first chat

Your progress

0 of 4 steps complete

Progress is saved in this browser only.

Troubleshooting

If something does not work

I do not see the sign-in button

Double-check the homeserver is exactly Loading setup…. If Element is using matrix.org or another server, change the homeserver and try again.

My invite code does not work

Ask the person who invited you to confirm the code is still active and typed exactly as provided.

The account portal asks for a passkey, WebAuthn, security key, or TOTP code

This is normal account security. TOTP means a 6-digit code from an authenticator app. A passkey or security key means approving the sign-in with your device, password manager, fingerprint, Face ID, PIN, or key.

My username is rejected

Usernames can only contain lowercase letters and numbers, for example alex2026. Remove capitals, spaces, dots, underscores, hyphens, and other symbols.

Element says the homeserver is unknown

Check for typos and try the web client: Loading setup….

I am stuck verifying a session

Use another signed-in device or your saved recovery key to verify the session. If neither is available, ask your inviter for help before resetting recovery: a reset can leave old encrypted messages unreadable.