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---

title: Messages & Channels

parent: User Guide

nav_order: 3

last_updated: 2026-05-13

description: Send and receive messages, manage channels, configure encryption, and use quick chat, reactions, and message actions.

aliases:

Tff7b72- channels

Tff7b72- direct-messages

Tff7b72- messaging

Tc9d1d9 - conversations

Tc9d1d9---

Tc9d1d9# Messages & Channels

Meshtastic supports two communication modes: **channel broadcasts** and **direct messages**.

Tc9d1d9## Kanały

Channels are shared communication groups. All nodes configured with the same channel key can read and send messages on that channel.

Tc9d1d9### Default Channel

Every Meshtastic device comes with a default **LongFast** channel. This is an unencrypted channel used for general mesh communication.

Tc9d1d9### Bezpieczeństwo kanału

Channels support multiple encryption levels:

| Icon | Security Level | Opis |

| ---- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| 🔒 | PSK (256-bit AES) | Fully encrypted with a strong pre-shared key. Only nodes with the matching key can read messages. |

| 🔐 | PSK (128-bit AES) | Encrypted with a shorter key. Secure for most uses but 256-bit is preferred for sensitive data. |

| 🔓 | Default / Open | Uses the well-known default key. **Any Meshtastic device** on the same preset can read these messages. |

| ⚠️ | Insecure + Position | Open channel that also broadcasts your GPS position. Use with caution in public meshes. |

Tff7b72> 🔒 **Security Tip:** Always configure a unique PSK for private communications. The default channel is intentionally open so new users can discover the mesh — but you should create a separate encrypted channel for anything sensitive.

Tc9d1d9### Adding a Channel

Tff7b721. Navigate to **Settings → Channels**.

Tff7b722. Tap **Add Channel** or scan a QR code.

Tff7b723. Configure the channel name and encryption key.

Tff7b724. Share the channel URL/QR code with others who need access.

Tapping a channel shows its details and sharing options.

Tc9d1d9## Bezpośrednie Wiadomości

Direct messages (DMs) are point-to-point encrypted communications between two specific nodes.

Tc9d1d9### Sending a Direct Message

Tff7b721. Open the **Messages** tab.

Tff7b722. Select a node from your contacts list or tap a node in the node list.

Tff7b723. Type your message and tap **Send**.

Tc9d1d9### Message States

| State | Icon | Meaning |

| --------------------------------- | ---- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Queued | ⏳ | Message waiting to be sent |

| En route | ✓ | Delivered to the radio, awaiting acknowledgment |

| Dostarczono | ✓✓ | Acknowledgment received from recipient |

| Received | ✓ | Message received from the mesh (incoming) |

| S&F Routing | 🔗 | Store & Forward: message being routed through an S&F node |

| S&F Confirmed | 🔗 | Store & Forward: delivery confirmed via S&F node |

| Błąd | ✗ | Delivery failed after retries |

Tc9d1d9### Delivery Errors

When a message fails to deliver, the error indicator shows what went wrong:

| Błąd | Meaning | What to Do |

| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Brak trasy | No path exists to the destination node | The recipient may be offline or out of mesh range. Try later or move closer. |

| Got NAK | The next-hop node refused to relay | The relay node may be congested. Wait and retry. |

| Limit czasu | No acknowledgment within retry window | The recipient may be just out of range. Try increasing hop limit or moving to a better position. |

| Brak interfejsu | No radio interface available to send | Check that your radio is connected and the channel is configured. |

| Max Retransmit | All retry attempts exhausted | The mesh path is unreliable. Try a different channel or wait for conditions to improve. |

| Brak kanału | The destination channel doesn't exist | Verify both nodes share the same channel configuration. |

| Too Large | Message exceeds maximum payload size | Shorten your message (max ~230 characters). |

| Brak odpowiedzi | Node received message but didn't respond | The recipient's radio may be busy or in low-power sleep mode. |

| Duty Cycle Limit | Regional airtime limit reached | Your radio has used its allowed transmit time. Wait for the duty cycle window to reset (typically 1 hour in EU regions). |

| Złe żądanie | Malformed or invalid message | This usually indicates a software bug. Try restarting the app. |

Tff7b72> 💡 **Tip:** Most delivery errors resolve themselves. If a node is intermittently reachable, the mesh will retry. For persistent "No Route" errors, check that intermediate Router nodes are online.

Tc9d1d9## Message Features

Tc9d1d9### Quick Chat

Pre-configured messages for rapid communication:

Tff7b72- Access via the Quick Chat button in the message input area

Tff7b72- Choose from built-in phrases or custom messages

Tff7b72- Customize quick chat messages in **Settings → Quick Chat**

Tff7b72- Useful when typing is impractical (gloves, small screen, urgent)


The channel list shows each channel with its latest message preview.

Tc9d1d9### Message Bubbles

Messages appear as chat bubbles — sent messages on the right, received messages on the left. Each bubble shows the sender, timestamp, and delivery status. Messages with replies include a quoted preview of the original message above the response.

Tc9d1d9### Reactions

React to messages with emoji:

Tff7b72- **Long-press** a message to open the actions menu

Tff7b72- Tap **Add Reaction** to choose an emoji

Tff7b72- Reactions appear below the message bubble

Tff7b72- Multiple users can react to the same message

Tff7b72- React to your own messages or others' messages


Tff7b72> 💡 **Tip:** Reactions are lightweight — they use minimal mesh bandwidth compared to full text messages.

Tc9d1d9### Message Actions

Long-press any message to access:

Tff7b72- **Copy** — copy message text to clipboard

Tff7b72- **Reply** — quote the message in your response

Tff7b72- **React** — add an emoji reaction

Tff7b72- **Delete** — remove a message you sent (local deletion)

Tc9d1d9### Message Priority

Messages are queued and transmitted based on priority:

Tff7b721. Emergency/alert messages (highest)

Tff7b722. Direct messages

Tff7b723. Channel broadcasts (lowest)

Tc9d1d9### Message Limits

Tff7b72- **Maximum length:** 237 bytes (approximately 230 characters for ASCII text)

Tff7b72- **Rate limiting:** The mesh enforces airtime fairness; heavy message volume may be throttled

Tff7b72- **Delivery:** Messages are retried automatically if no acknowledgment is received

Tc9d1d9## Best Practices

Tff7b72- Use channels for group coordination

Tff7b72- Use direct messages for private person-to-person communication

Tff7b72- Keep messages short — mesh bandwidth is limited

Tff7b72- Configure encryption for sensitive communications

Tc9d1d9## Related Topics

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Nodes](Te6edf3nodes) — tap a node to start a direct message

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Settings — Radio & User](Te6edf3settings-radio-user) — configure channel encryption and presets

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72MQTT](Te6edf3mqtt) — bridge channel messages to the internet

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Channel configuration](Te6edf3https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/channels) — detailed channel settings on meshtastic.org

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