This wikiHow teaches you how to use Discord on Windows or MacOS operating systems. After installing the Discord desktop app, you can create an account, join a server, and start chatting with people around the world.
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Method 1 of 6: Creating and Setting Up a Discord Account
Step 1. Download the Discord app
If you are using a computer, you can download the latest version of Discord by visiting https://discord.com/new/download and clicking the link “ Download ”.
If you don't want to install the application on your computer, you can access Discord through a web browser. Just visit https://discord.com and click “ Open Discord in your browser ”.
Step 2. Double-click the Discord installation file
This file is named DiscordSetup ” and saved in the main download storage folder.
Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Discord
The installation process of the program is quite simple and takes only a few minutes. Once the app is installed, you will be asked to sign in to your account.
Step 4. Click the Register link
You will be taken to an account registration form after that.
Step 5. Fill in the form
You will need to enter a valid email address, a unique username to use on Discord, and a strong password.
Step 6. Click Continue
Step 7. Check the box next to “I am not a robot”
Discord will send a verification message to the email address you entered.
Step 8. Follow the link in the email from Discord
Your email address will be confirmed and the registration process will be completed.
Step 9. Change your avatar
If you want to stand out after understanding how to use Discord, follow these steps to upload an avatar to identify you in chats:
- Open Discord and click the gear icon at the bottom of the window.
- Click " Edit ” under the "My Account" section.
- Click the default avatar (red and white controller icon).
- Select an image from the computer and click “ Open ”.
- Click " Save ”.
Method 2 of 6: Joining the Server
Step 1. Try the “Server Discovery” tool (optional)
If you already have a URL or invitation code to the server you want to follow, move on to the next step. If you don't get the invite link and just want to know what servers are available, click the green compass icon in the upper-left corner of the Discord window to open a tool that allows you to browse public servers. In this tool, you can browse the server options by category or search for a specific server that you find interesting.
- When you find a server of interest, click on its name to open the server menu.
- There are many servers that display a list of rules. If you see the option, click the option to see which rules apply before joining the server.
- Click " I'll just look around for now ” to check the server.
- Click the link " Join ” at the top to join the server. If you don't want to join, click “ Back ” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click +
It's a plus sign in the upper-left corner of the Discord window. With this button, you can create a new server or join an existing server.
If you don't have a server invite link and haven't found a server of interest through the “Discovery” tool, see the list of public servers at https://discordservers.com or
Step 3. Click Join a server
You will be asked to enter the invitation code or URL afterwards.
Step 4. Paste the code or URL in the field
The invitation address or URL begins with "https://discord.gg/", while the invitation code is given in the form of a series of letters and numbers.
Step 5. Click Join
You will be taken to the Discord server page.
- All the servers you follow are shown in the left pane whenever you log into your Discord account.
- You can log out of the server at any time by right-clicking on its icon in the left pane and selecting “ Leave server ”.
Method 3 of 6: Chatting in the Text Chat Channel
Step 1. Join a Discord server
If not, you'll need to join the server first before you can chat. After joining the server, a list of available channels will appear in a slim column in the center of the Discord window.
- Text channel names begin with a hashtag (“#”) and usually have a word/phrase that describes the type/topic of the conversation being promoted.
- If the existing channel is a voice channel, a small speaker icon will appear to the right of its name instead of a hashtag. With voice channels, you can use your computer's microphone and camera (if you prefer) to chat with other members.
Step 2. Click the text channel to follow it
Channels not marked by a speaker icon are used for plain text chat (though they usually allow users to share pictures, audio, links, and videos with each other). After selecting a channel, you will be taken to a chat thread.
A list of users in the channel will be displayed in the right column
Step 3. Type a message into the channel
Use the typing field at the bottom of the screen to say something to channel members. Messages can be seen by anyone who joins the channel after you press the “ Enter " or " Return ” to send a message.
- If you're on a computer, you can insert an emoji by clicking the smiley face icon at the far right of the text field.
- You may be able to attach animated GIFs, photos, and other interesting content, depending on your channel settings. Click " + ” on the left side of the text field to see what types of attachments you can send or share to your channel.
Step 4. Press Enter or Return to send the message.
After that, the message will be displayed on the channel.
Step 5. React to other messages
Like any other messaging app, Discord allows you to react to each message. Hover over the message you want to respond to and click the smiley face icon with a plus sign displayed. After that, select the desired reaction (eg heart) to use it.
Method 4 of 6: Conducting Voice and Video Chat
Step 1. Join a Discord server
If not, you'll need to join the server first before you can chat. After joining a server, a list of available channels will appear in a slim column in the center of the Discord window.
- Text channel names begin with a hashtag (“#”) and usually have a word/phrase that describes the type/topic of the conversation being promoted.
- If the existing channel is a voice channel, a small speaker icon will appear to the right of its name instead of a hashtag. With voice channels, you can use your computer's microphone and camera (if you prefer) to chat with other members.
Step 2. Adjust the sound and video settings
Before joining, follow these steps:
- Click the gear icon at the bottom of the channel list (middle column).
- Click " Voice & Video ” on the left pane.
- Select the microphone from the “Input Device” menu and the loudspeaker from the “Output Device” menu.
- Click " Let's Check ' and say a few words. If you don't see any movement of the indicator, try increasing the volume of the voice input.
- Select "Voice Activity" in the "Input Mode" section if you want the microphone to pick up sound as soon as you speak. If you don't want the microphone to always be on and pick up sound, select "Push to Talk".
- If you want to video chat, select a webcam from the “Camera” menu and click “ Test Videos ” to make sure the camera is working. If not, select another video input.
Step 3. Click the channel with loudspeaker to join
You will be immediately taken to the chat thread afterwards.
- If your speaker is on and people are actively chatting, you can hear the chat right away. In addition, your microphone will be activated.
- To adjust the volume of a person's voice, right-click their avatar to reveal the volume control buttons.
Step 4. Say something to the group
Everyone on the channel can hear what you're saying. A green outline will appear around the avatar as you speak.
Step 5. Click or touch Video to share the video
If you want other users to see you on the channel, this option activates the computer's camera.
- Click the button again Videos ” to stop or turn off the video.
- To exit the voice channel, click the phone icon and the letter “X” in the lower left corner of the screen.
Method 5 of 6: Adding Friends
Step 1. Click Add Friend
It's a green button at the top of the Discord window. The “Add Friend” page will load after that.
- If you want to add a friend from a channel you follow, just right-click their name on the member list in the right pane and select “ Add Friend ”.
- To accept a friend request sent by someone, click the blue and white control icon in the upper left corner of the screen, select “ All ” at the top, and tap the tick next to the request.
Step 2. Type in your friend's username and Discord bookmark
You need to get this information from the friend in question. Usernames and bookmarks have a format like this: “Username#1234”.
The use of uppercase and lowercase letters in usernames matters. Therefore, make sure you type capital letters if necessary
Step 3. Click Send Friend Request
If the friend request is sent, you will receive a green confirmation message. Otherwise, you will get a red error message.
Method 6 of 6: Sending Direct Messages
Step 1. Click Friends at the top of the channel list
If you're not on a channel, click the blue and white controller icon in the top-left corner.
If you only want to send a private message to someone on your channel, just click on their name once and type your message into the text field at the bottom of the menu
Step 2. Click All
It's in the top-center of the window. A list of all your Discord friends will be displayed.
Step 3. Click the message icon next to the user you want to message
It's at the far right of the name. A chat window will open after that.
Step 4. Type your message into the text field
This field is at the bottom of the chat window.
Step 5. Press Enter or Returns.
The message will be displayed in the chat window.
- Messages are displayed in the middle pane in the "Direct Messages" section.
- To delete a message you sent, hover over the message, click “ ⁝ ” at the top right of the message, select “ Delete ", and click again " Delete ” to confirm.
