Private Group Chat for Small Teams, Families and Clubs
A group chat is where plans are made, files are shared and, sometimes, things get messy. Here is how to run an encrypted group that stays useful and private.
Groups are where much of our daily communication happens: the family arranging a birthday, the team sorting out a delivery, the club deciding on a venue. They are also where privacy tends to leak. A group chat on a typical messenger shows everyone's phone number to everyone else, keeps messages on servers in readable form, and lets a forwarded invitation bring in strangers. A private group should do better.
What makes a group private
Encryption. Messages are encrypted so that only the members' devices can read them. In PeerFlow, group chats are end-to-end encrypted, like one-to-one chats.
Controlled membership. Only people you have added can be invited. There is no public link that lets anyone in.
No phone numbers. Members connect by email or @username, so joining a group does not mean handing over a number. See private messaging without a phone number.
Direct delivery. When members are online, messages go straight between devices.
Starting a group
- Add each person as a contact. They accept your request.
- In Chats, choose to start a group and pick the members.
- Give the group a name that tells people what it is for.
- Say hello, and state the purpose in the first message.
A group name such as "Kitchen renovation" is better than "Team", and a first message such as "This group is for the renovation schedule and photos" prevents it from becoming a dumping ground.
Keeping a group useful
- Agree on a purpose. One group, one subject.
- Keep the number of members small. The fewer the people, the more the messages matter.
- Use clear messages. A message that asks a question with a deadline gets an answer. "Can everyone reply by Friday?" works.
- Mute at night. Agree on quiet hours so nobody feels obliged to respond at midnight.
- Do not forward private messages from the group without asking.
Sharing things in the group
Photos and documents are the main reason for group chats. Share them with the people who need them, and avoid forwarding sensitive files. For very large files, use direct file sharing, which sends the file between two devices at full quality, without compression. You can also talk it through in an online meeting.
Groups for different uses
| Group | Tips |
|---|---|
| Family | Keep it warm and low-pressure, share photos, avoid chain forwards |
| Small team | One subject per group, decisions in writing, notes after calls |
| Club or society | Announce dates early, keep a pinned plan in a message |
| Project with a client | A small group, clear roles, a summary after each call |
| Neighbours | Agree on topics, keep personal details out |
Handling difficult moments
Groups sometimes turn sour: an argument, a joke that lands badly, a member who posts too much. Talk to the person privately first. If a member is a problem, remove them from the group. If a conversation is heated, move it to a call, where tone is easier to read. Lighten the mood with thanks and with patience.
Privacy habits for group members
- Think before you post. Once a message is in a group, you cannot control who sees it on their screen.
- Do not post other people's details without their permission.
- Check who is in the group before sharing something sensitive.
- Lock your phone, since a message is only as private as the screen it is shown on.
Encrypted history
Chat history is stored encrypted on your own device, and you can keep an encrypted backup in your PeerFlow folder. See encrypted chat backup. If you lose a phone, the backup helps you restore what you chose to keep.
When to switch to a call or meeting
A group chat is good for short exchanges. A decision with many opinions is better as a call, and a topic with many documents as a meeting with screen sharing. Read how to run a good online meeting for tips.
Getting started
Install the Android or Windows app, add the people you want to chat with, and start your first group.
Frequently asked questions
Are group messages encrypted?
Yes. Group chats in PeerFlow are end-to-end encrypted, like one-to-one chats.
Do members see each other’s phone numbers?
PeerFlow does not use phone numbers. Members are people you have added by email or username.
Can I send files in a group?
You can share files with contacts and in chats. Files are sent directly between devices rather than stored on a server.
How do I start a group?
Add your contacts first, then start a group with several of them from the Chats screen.