Talking to anyone and everyone is easy to do on Relay! In this article, we’ll guide you through our features for communicating and help connect the dots on using Relay for 1:1 chats, group chats, and when to expect missed messages vs real-time audio messages.
These are set up automatically when you add a new Relay device or new app user to your account. Direct chats should be used for one-on-one communication.
Open the Relay app
Tap on or Swipe-up on Communications
Select the desired Relay or Relay app with which you'd like to communicate
(Note: Group Chats will also show in this list.)
Press and hold the mic to record your message. Release to send.
To receive a message back, your app will need to remain open and in this Direct Chat. If you navigate away from this Direct Chat or close your app you will receive a missed message notification and can playback the message.
Use the voice assistant to ensure you're on the right chat or channel. Simply hold the volume button and state the name of the Direct Chat, i.e "Dad"
Once the Relay is on the Direct Chat, press and hold the center Talk button to record your message. Release to send.
If the Relay stays on this chat, you can engage in real-time conversation. If the Relay Device changes to another chat or channel they will receive a missed message notification if a response is sent.
Seeing a magenta number or dot by Communications in your Relay app or see a flashing green light on the Relay? This indicates you have a Missed Message.
IMPORTANT: In order to leave a message in the Direct Chat, the person receiving the message needs to be on a different chat, a different channel, have the app closed, or be offline (no connection or powered off). If the person is on the same Direct Chat when the message is sent, it will be played in real-time.
Here are a few articles that dive into more information on Missed Messages:
Need to send a message to everybody on your account without creating multiple chats? The Everyone Group Chat is automatically set up when you activate your Relay. This group chat communicates with everyone on your account (whether app or Relay) and cannot be removed.
If your app is not open when a message is sent over a Group Chat, the app user will receive an activity notification, and the Relay device user will hear the message that "No one in your group is online". Missed messages are not available on Group Chats at this time.
There is, however, an option in the app to Summon Away Members in the Relay app, and is activated by tapping the icon to the right of the Group Chat name in the Communications list. This will allow an app user to move all members of that group chat to the group chat's channel. This will prevent anyone from missing a message sent to that group chat.
To set up Group Chats for 3+ users to communicate follow the below steps. Group Chats can be helpful if your kids have friends with Relays on different accounts, and Relay account owners can send invitations through the app so the kids can chat.
Open the Relay app
Tap on Groups
Select the Group Chat to which you'd like to add a user
Select Edit Group
Check the box next to the individual on your account that you wish to add
Tap "SAVE GROUP" and the person will be added to the Group Chat