How-To heiCHAT: Getting started and basic functions (mobile devices)
These instructions refer to the use of the service heiCHAT on mobile devices. heiCHAT is the instant messaging service of Heidelberg University. You can find more information about the service in the service catalogue.
Note: This guide was created using an Android device, small deviations from the iPhone app are possible in parts (different terminology, possibly small differences in the user interface).
Contents
- Setup
- Creating a chat
- Creating a room
- Joining a room
- Starting an audio call
- Starting a video call
- Verifying a device
- Encryption
- Note
Setup
1. Install the Riot.im app (link list) from the Google Play Store (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iPhones).
2. Open the Riot.im App.
3. Check "User-defined server options (extended)".
4. Enter the address https://matrix-im.uni-heidelberg.de in the text field “Home server URL” which appears.
5. Enter your Uni ID in the text field "Email or user name".
6. Enter the password to your Uni ID in the text field "Password".
Leave the "Telephone number" field blank.
7. Tap the "Log in" button.
Creating a chat
1. Tap the button with the “plus” - symbol located at the bottom right corner.
2. A pop-up now appears. Here, tap on the menu item "Start conversation".
3. Now enter the Uni ID or the name of the contact in the text field. Then tap on the "Go" button.
4. Confirm your selection by tapping the button with the “tick” symbol. Your conversation partner has been invited to the chat and can accept this invitation.
Creating a room
1. Tap the button with the “plus” - symbol located at the bottom right corner.
2. A pop-up menu now appears. Tap on "Create room" here.
3. To set the name of the room, tap the button with the current name of the room ("Empty room").
4. A pop-up now appears. Enter the desired room name in the text field and confirm your entry by tapping the "OK" button.
5. To add a conversation partner, tap the room name at the top, then tap the button with the “plus” - symbol.
6. Now enter the Uni ID or the name of the desired contact in the text field. Confirm your selection by tapping on the suggested contact.
7. Confirm your selection again in the dialogue box that appears.
8. Your conversation partner has now been invited to a chat and can accept this invitation.
Joining a room
1. After you have been invited to a room, the invitation is displayed in the overview. Now tap on "Preview".
2. To join the room, click on the "Join room" button. You have now joined the room.
Starting an audio call
1. To start a call, click on the button with the “telephone” - symbol in the desired chat or room.
2. Now select “Voice Call”.
Starting a video call
1. To start a call, tap the button with the “phone” - icon in the desired chat or room.
2. Now select "Video call".
Verifying a device
1. Device verification is optional and is only required when communicating in encrypted mode. To verify the devices of the other party, you must tap on the profile picture of the other party to the left of a message.
2. Now the profile of your contact opens with 2 menu items. Now tap on "Show device list".
3. Tap "Confirm" on the device you want to verify.
4. Now tap on "Start verification".
5. Now you have to wait until your counterpart accepts the verification request. If both conversation partners now see the same symbols, both tap on "They Match".
6. The device is then verified. Now you have to repeat these steps for every other device in the chat room.
Encryption
1. In order to be able to chat in encrypted form in rooms, all devices within the chat room must first be verified. Once you have activated encryption, it cannot be deactivated again. To activate encryption, click on the room you want to encrypt.
2. Bring up the room details by tapping (on Android) on the three dots at the top right and selecting "Room details". On the iPhone, tap the room name at the top to open the room details, then tap the room name again. Now tap on "Settings" in the room details.
3. Under the “Advanced” item, tap on “Activate encryption”.
4. Now all messages within this room are encrypted. If a device within the chat room is not verified, this device cannot read the messages.
