---
title: "Join and leave channels"
---
import useBaseUrl from '@docusaurus/useBaseUrl';
import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';

<PlanAvailability slug="all-commercial" />

## Join a channel

Channels are either **public** or **private**.

- **Public** channels are identified with a **Globe** <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/globe_E805.svg')} alt="Public channels are identified with a Globe icon." className="theme-icon" /> icon. Anyone on the team can join a public channel.
- **Private** channels are typically used for sensitive topics, and are identified with a **Lock** <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/lock-outline_F0341.svg')} alt="Private channels are identified with a Lock icon." className="theme-icon" /> icon. You must be invited to private channels by another channel member.

<Note>

To join a private channel, you need to be added to the channel by a member of that channel.

</Note>

To join a public channel:

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="web-desktop" label="Web/Desktop">

1.  Select the **Add channels** button in the channel sidebar, then select **Browse Channels**.

> <img src={useBaseUrl('/images/add-channels-button.png')} width="400" alt="You can browse channels using the Add channels button" />
>
> Alternatively, you can select <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/plus_F0415.svg')} alt="The Plus icon provides access to channel and direct message functionality." className="theme-icon" /> at the top of the channel sidebar, then select **Browse Channels**.
>
> ![You can browse available channels to join using the + option at the top of the channel sidebar.](/images/browse-channels.png)

2.  Select **Join** next to the public channel you want to join.

> ![When browsing available channels, select the join option next to any channel to become a member.](/images/join-channels.png)

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="mobile" label="Mobile">

1.  Tap <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/plus_F0415.svg')} alt="The Plus icon provides access to channel and direct message functionality." className="theme-icon" /> located in the top right corner the app.

![Tap the plus icon to view additional options.](/images/mobile-select-a-channel.jpg)

2.  Tap **Browse Channels**.

![Click on Browse Channels to view the list of public channels.](/images/create-channel-or-open-direct-message-on-mobile.jpg)

3.  Tap the public channel you want to join.

![Tap on the public channel name that you want to join.](/images/mobile-browse-public-channels.jpg)

</TabItem>
</Tabs>


<Tip>

When you join channels, depending on the [channel actions configured](/end-user-guide/collaborate/create-channels), you may see a welcome message, and channels may be added to [a category in your channel sidebar](/end-user-guide/preferences/customize-your-channel-sidebar) automatically. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, access **Channel Actions** from the channel name drop-down menu in the center pane to see what automatic actions have been configured.

</Tip>

See the following documentation to learn more about working with channels:

- [Create channels](/end-user-guide/collaborate/create-channels)
- [Browse channels](/end-user-guide/collaborate/browse-channels)
- [Customize your channel sidebar](/end-user-guide/preferences/customize-your-channel-sidebar)

## Leave a channel

When you leave a private channel, you must be re-added by another channel member to rejoin. You won't receive mention notifications from a channel if you're not a member of that channel.

<Note>

All users are added to the **Town Square** channel automatically. This means that users can't [archive](/end-user-guide/collaborate/archive-unarchive-channels#archive-a-channel), [unarchive](/end-user-guide/collaborate/archive-unarchive-channels#unarchive-a-channel), or leave the **Town Square** channel. However, [guests](/administration-guide/onboard/guest-accounts) who are manually invited to **Town Square** can leave the channel.

</Note>

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="web-desktop" label="Web/Desktop">

Select the channel name at the top of the center pane to access the drop-down menu, then select **Leave Channel**.

![You can use channel options available from the channel name to leave a channel.](/images/leave-channels.png)

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="mobile" label="Mobile">

1.  Tap the channel you want to leave.

![Select the channel that you want to leave.](/images/mobile-select-a-channel.jpg)

2.  Tap the **More** <img src={useBaseUrl('/img/ui/dots-vertical_F01D9.svg')} alt="Use the More icon in the top left corner to access Mattermost desktop apps customization settings." className="theme-icon" /> icon located in the top right corner of the app.

![Tap on More options to access available options for the channel you want to leave.](/images/mobile-select-more-options-for-a-channel.jpg)

3.  Tap **Leave channel**.

![Tap on Leave channel to leave the current channel.](/images/mobile-select-view-info-for-a-channel.jpg)

4.  Tap on **Leave** to confirm you choice.

![Tap on Leave to confirm your choice.](/images/mobile-confirm-leave-a-channel.jpg)

</TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Leave a public channel added by a membership policy

From Mattermost v11.8.0, when you leave a public channel you were added to by a membership policy, Mattermost asks you to confirm:

- Choosing **Leave channel** removes you from the channel.
- Choosing **Mute instead** keeps you in the channel and mutes its notifications.

If the channel is already muted, Mattermost shows **Cancel** and **Leave channel** instead of **Mute instead**.