Element HELP

 

How do I set up Element for the first time?

You will receive a username and password from Carolyn Regehr or Jason Hildebrand.
 
What do I do next?

I have prepared a YouTube video which shows you how to get logged in, and provides some orientation to using Element.

Then you can get connected on one or more devices (mobile or desktop).

Alternatively, you can use these instructions.  This can be quicker if you are good at learning new apps.

There is important information in the video and instructions - please use one of them so that you don't go down the wrong path.

Don't forget

After you get logged in, make sure you
  • change your password, and
  • set up a Secure Backup Passphrase (see details video or instructions linked above)

 

 

I have Element on my old phone, I need to set it up on a new phone

  • you need to connect to Hope's server, chat.hopemennonite.ca, the default Element server.
  • you'll want to verify the new device for your Element account.  You have more options to do this if you still have your old phone.  If you can't verify your account, you won't have access to previous encrypted messages, such as direct messages you've sent/received.
  • see the PDF instructions for more details on these steps.
  • if you don't know your login, email jason@opensky.ca

 

 

How can I send direct messages?

I wish this was a bit more intuitive.  But hopefully this helps.

On Android:

 On Apple:

 

 

HOW CAN I TURN ON/OFF EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS?
ELEMENT STOPPED SENDING ME EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

If you haven't recently checked messages on one of your devices, Element will send you the new messages on email.  If you want to turn these notification on or off, you can do so using the desktop app (the mobile app doesn't have this setting).

If Element stops sending you these notifications, you can get them going again by turning this setting off and on again.

Log into the desktop app.  If you don't typically use the desktop version, use the instructions.

 

 

About "Verify your device" / Secure Backup / Set up Recovery

Element supports end-to-end encryption. This means messages are stored in encrypted form and even server administrators cannot read your messages.

Element also wants each device to be "Verified", which is an assurance that the messages are authentic (not sent from a compromised Element account).

If you log in on a new or different device (e.g. new phone, or different computer), you will need to verify your device.
Element provides two ways to verify your device:

  • if you have access to a previous verified device (e.g. your old phone, or a web browser where you're logged in) you can use that to verify the new device. Element will guide you through the steps and hopefully it goes smoothly for you.
  • you can use the "secure backup" feature, and enter the password ("security phrase") which you set up previously.  If you never set this up, then you won't have this option. In newer Element versions this option is called "Set up recovery". More below.

 

 

I don't have access to a previous verified device, and did not set up Secure Backup or Recovery. What now?

Element will give you the option to reset Secure Backup (also called resetting your recovery key). If it asks you to confirm your identity, choose the option "Can't confirm".

The impact of doing this is that you won't be able to read previously encrypted messages that you have sent or received. On Hope's server, this usually includes all Direct Messages that you have sent and received on Element.

After doing this, set up Secure Backup (Set up Recovery) to make sure this doesn't happen to you again.

 

 

How do I set Set up Secure Backup (Set up Recovery)

Element may prompt you to set up Secure Backup, which is called Set up Recovery in newer Element versions.

For Secure Backup, choose the "Secure Passphrase" option and enter a password that you can remember. If you need to, record it somewhere safe like a password manager, because there is no "I forgot my password" option to reset this passphrase.

In newer Element versions it is called "Set up Recovery". When you choose this option, it assigns you a recovery key, which
is a sequence of numbers and characters like this: EsTZ 4us6 nh29 89jk U1uH Zbae 4PuS QQC1 86pt em8o R8nb bdwQ

Keep this safe, for example by pasting it into a password manager, saving it on a different device (in case you lose your phone), or printing it out and filing it somewhere safe.

 

 

Is there any further help about VERIFYING / RECOVERY KEYS?

Yes, use this link. There are screenshots and video clips showing where to find these options for Web, Android and iOS apps.

https://docs.element.io/latest/element-support/device-verification/how-to-verify-devices/