Voice channels for your community group
Sometimes talking is faster than typing. In community groups on Friendstime, admins can create voice channels that members join with a single tap. Here is how to set up a channel, which settings exist and who may use it.
Where voice channels are
Voice channels belong to a community group. In the browser you find them in the group’s voice channel area, in the Android app in the group’s channel list. Only members of the group can see and join them; anyone who is not a member gets no access.
Creating a channel
New channels are created by the group’s owner and admins. A channel gets a name of up to 80 characters, optionally a description of up to 1,000 characters and an emoji as its icon. You set the number of seats between 2 and 50; the default is 20. When a channel is full, Friendstime says so instead of letting more people in.
Settings for each channel
For every channel you decide whether video is allowed and whether push-to-talk applies, meaning only the person holding the button speaks. The minimum role decides who may enter: all members, moderators and up, admins only or the owner only. You can also set a password; a lock icon in the list then shows that it will be asked for.
Inside the channel
In the list you see how many people are in the channel and how many seats there are. Inside, you mute your microphone or turn off the sound of others, and where video is allowed you can switch on your camera. The voice connection runs over WebRTC, the same technology Friendstime uses for calls.
Managing and tidying up
Owners and admins can change a channel’s name, description, seats and rules at any time or delete it. Group moderators can enter every channel that is open from the moderator role upwards. Like calls, voice channels are not end-to-end encrypted.
Try it yourself
Signing up takes a minute and is free.
Frequently asked questions
Who can create a voice channel?
The owner and the admins of a community group. Members can join existing channels if their role is high enough.
How many people fit into a voice channel?
Between 2 and 50, depending on the setting; the default is 20 seats.
Can I protect a voice channel with a password?
Yes. You set a password when creating or editing it; members are asked for it when they join.
Is there push-to-talk?
Yes, it can be set per channel. Then only the person holding the talk button speaks.
Can I join a voice channel with video?
Yes, if the channel allows video. Owners or admins decide this when creating or editing the channel.