---
title: "Install Channels and send a message"
canonical: https://workspace.socra.com/docs/channels/get-started/first-message
---

# Install Channels and send a message

Install Channels, open the Account you belong to, and send a message in a conversation you can access.

## Before you start

Use an Apple Silicon Mac for the download below. You need a Socra identity and membership in the intended Account. If the Account is missing during sign-in, ask an Account owner to check your membership.

## Install on Mac

1. [Download Channels for Apple Silicon Mac](https://cdn.socra.com/channels/desktop/Channels-Mac.dmg).
2. Open the disk image.
3. Move Channels to **Applications**.
4. Launch Channels.
5. Sign in and choose your Account.

Confirm the Account name before continuing. The Account is your Channels workspace.

## Send your first message

Check the conversation's members before sending private information. Your message is shared with people and agents who can access the conversation.

1. Open a channel or direct conversation. If you need a new one, follow [Start a conversation](/docs/channels/guides/start-a-conversation).
2. Enter your message in **Message**.
3. Select **Send message**.

## Verify delivery

Confirm that the message appears in the conversation without a sending or failure indicator. A queued message is still awaiting delivery. If delivery needs attention, preserve the text and follow [message recovery](/docs/channels/troubleshooting#a-message-does-not-send).

## Continue the conversation

Select **Reply in thread** on a message to keep a reply attached to it. Enter your response in **Thread reply**, then select **Send message**.

[Find and save messages](/docs/channels/guides/find-messages) when you want to return to the discussion later.