What is Messenger?
Messenger is Updox's HIPAA-compliant messaging tool for your office. It keeps all your team's conversations in one place.
With Messenger you can:
Send one-to-one (direct) messages
Send group messages
Chat in channels for teams, topics, or workflows
Share attachments, such as documents, images, video, and audio files
Note: Messenger is for messaging your staff, not patients. To message patients securely, use Secure Text.
Where can I use Messenger?
On your computer and your phone or tablet. You get the same features on both, and your conversations show on every device.
Computer: Open Messenger from your Updox Inbox.
Phone or tablet: Go to chat.myupdox.com and log in with your Updox username and password.
How do I open Messenger?
In your Inbox, click the Messenger bar in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Choose full-screen or partial-screen view.
Tip: Partial-screen view keeps your Inbox visible while you chat.
What is the Messenger menu?
The Messenger menu is in the top left of the Messenger window. It shows all your conversations and channels.
From the Messenger menu, you can:
Continue a conversation. Click any person, group, or channel to see your message history.
Start a new message. Click the + next to Direct Messages.
Create a channel. Click the + next to Channels.
Tip: Keep the Messenger menu open all day as your communication hub.
How do I send a direct message?
Open Messenger.
Click Create Direct Message, or click the + next to Direct Messages in the Messenger menu.
Search for the person you want to message.
Type your message and send it.
Note: The staff directory only shows users who have logged in to Updox at least once. If you can't find someone, ask them to log in to Updox first.
How do I add an attachment?
Click the paper clip icon in your message
Note: Most file types are supported. The maximum file size is 50 MB.
How do I message a group?
Click the + next to Direct Messages.
Add more than one person.
Type your message and send it.
The group appears in your Messenger menu, so you can continue the conversation later.
Important: You can't add people to a group after it's created. Choose everyone before you send the first message. If you need to add and remove people over time, create a channel instead.
What is a channel?
A channel is like a chat room for a team, topic, or workflow. For example, you might have a channel for your front desk or for prescription refills.
Channels vs. groups:
| Group | Channel |
Add people later | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Remove people | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (people leave on their own) |
Can be public or private | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Best for | A quick conversation with a few people | An ongoing team, topic, or workflow |
Tip: Before you start, think about which channels you need and who should be in each one.
How do I create a channel?
In the Messenger menu, click the + next to Channels. You can also create one from the Messenger home screen.
Give the channel a name.
Add the members.
Choose public or private.
Create the channel.
What's the difference between public and private channels?
Public channels: Any user can see and chat in them.
Private channels: Only members can chat in them. Private channels show a lock icon in the Messenger menu
How do I add someone to a channel?
In the Messenger menu, click the channel.
Click the information (i) icon at the top of the screen. The Chat Info screen shows current members.
Click Invite People.
Search for the people you want to add.
Click Invite.
How do I get someone's attention in a channel?
Use an @mention. Type @ followed by their username, such as @username.
The person sees an orange icon in their Messenger menu, letting them know there's an important message.
Using an @mention in a private channel also invites that person to the channel.
How do I leave a channel?
In the Messenger menu, click the channel.
Click the information (i) icon.
Click Leave Chat.
Note: Only you can remove yourself from a channel. Channels don't have admins, so no one else can remove you. To rejoin, a current member must invite you back.
How do I use Messenger on my phone?
On your phone or tablet, go to chat.myupdox.com.
Log in with your Updox username and password.
The mobile version looks and works the same as the computer version.
How do I send a photo or file from my phone?
Tap the paper clip, then choose:
Photo Library: Pick an image from your phone.
Take Photo: Take a picture with your camera, then tap Use Photo.
Browse: Attach a file saved on your phone.
Can I dictate messages on my phone?
Yes. Tap the microphone on your phone's keyboard and start speaking. Your words are typed into the message.
Tip: Dictation is handy when you're moving between exam rooms.