Channels knowledge base for admins

Channels let you reach an international audience without having to worry about moderating your members.

Similar to view-only communities, only admins and superadmins can post in a channel, keeping your chat clutter-free.

Another key difference is that channel members can’t see who else is a member of the channel (except for admins), which allows them to maintain their privacy.

Looking for something smaller or more interactive? Start a group or a community.

Phone:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Tap Compose (Android) or (iOS)
4. Tap New channel
5. Tap Create channel
6. Tap on Name your channel and enter the name of your channel
   • Mandatory step
7. Tap on the Camera to add a channel icon
   • You can either take a new photo or select one from your gallery
   • Optional step
8. Tap on Describe your channel and enter a description
   • Optional step
9. Tap Create channel
10. Invite people to your channel. Select up to 50 contacts (you can add more later) and tap the Checkmark (Android) or Invite (iOS) to confirm.

Desktop:

1. Tap on Compose
2. Tap on Channel
3. Enter a Channel name (mandatory), icon (optional), description (optional), enable Age restriction if your channel is aimed at a mature audience (optional), and select the contacts you wish to invite (must select at least one contact)

If you send the invite to a group, community, or another channel, all the members will see it. When you add other users to your channel, only people who have you saved as a contact will automatically be added; others will need to manually accept the invitation.

After your channel is created, you will automatically be assigned an admin alias. This means that instead of seeing your name and profile picture, members of the channel will see your channel name and picture when you post and in the admin’s list. For more information on how to change this setting, read the Admin alias section under Admins and superadmins.

You can restrict membership to your channel to people above the age of 18.

Adding restrictions is the responsibility of superadmins and will not be implemented by Rakuten Viber.

This means that channel content will not be reviewed by Rakuten Viber to determine if age restrictions are required. However, members will still be able to report a channel if they find the content inappropriate, which may result in the channel being permanently banned and deleted.

To avoid being banned, please refrain from posting offensive content, which may include:

• Nudity
• Sexually suggestive content
• Violence
• Disturbing imagery
• Portrayal of dangerous activities

For more information, please review Rakuten Viber's Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service.

Once an age restriction is enabled, all new members will be advised that your channel has 18+ content, and they will need to confirm that they are over 18 to join. Existing members, as well as all admins and superadmins, will also need to confirm their age.

To add age restrictions to your channel:

New channel: The Age restriction option will be offered to you when you create your channel.

Existing channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Use the toggle to turn ON age restrictions or disable the feature

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Use the toggle to turn ON age restrictions or disable the feature

Your channel name should describe the content that you intend to provide. Names that breach copyright and trademark laws or appear to promote content that goes against Rakuten Viber’s acceptable use policy will be removed.

Only superadmins can change the channel name:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap on the Pen (top corner)
6. Tap on the current channel name under the channel icon
7. Enter a new channel name
8. Tap the Checkmark (Android) or Done (iOS) to confirm

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on the current channel name under the channel icon
5. Type in a new channel name
6. Click on the Checkmark to confirm

Only superadmins can change the channel icon:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap on the Pen (top corner)
6. Tap the Camera
7. Choose a channel icon from either your Gallery or by taking a photo with your Camera
8. Tap Save (Android) or Done (iOS) once you select an image from your gallery
9. Tap and scroll to reposition the preview box over the part of the image that you want to use as your channel icon
   • To resize, pinch the image to zoom in and out (iOS only)
10. Tap Save (Android) or Done (iOS)

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on the current channel icon above the channel name
   • If you haven’t chosen a channel icon yet, you will see an image placeholder
5. Select an image that is already saved on your computer
6. Click on the preview box and move it over the part of the image that you want to use as your channel icon
   • You can resize the preview box by clicking and dragging the corners of the box
7. Click Done
   • To change the image, click Select new
   • To exit out of creating a new icon, click on the X

Use the Description section to tell your members what your channel is about or add links to your website/other social media platforms. The description field supports up to 250 characters.

Only superadmins can update the description section:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Add description (underneath the channel icon)
6. Enter a description
7. Tap on the Checkmark or Done to confirm

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. In the About section, click on the Pen
5. Enter a description
6. Click on the Checkmark to confirm

Change the chat background to brand your channel more effectively.

Only superadmins can change the channel chat background:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap on Background
6. Choose the channel chat background from either
   • Rakuten Viber’s gallery
   • An existing picture in your photo album
   • By taking a photo with your camera
7. Confirm once you have chosen your background picture

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Channel background
5. Select a photo from Rakuten Viber’s gallery
6. Click Change background

To send an invite to a contact, group, community, or channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen*
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Invite
6. Select to whom you would like to send an invite (contacts, groups, communities)
7. Tap the Checkmark (Android) or Invite button (iOS) to confirm

*You can also tap Invite at the top of the screen instead of tapping on Info.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel
3. Click on Invite (top corner)
4. Select to whom you would like to send an invite (contacts, groups, communities)
5. Click Send

Channel invite links make it easy for admins and members to invite people to join the channel. Superadmins have complete control over who has access to the links and can also disable invite links if they end up in the wrong place. To turn off members’ ability to share the invite link, please read the (Dis)allow members to invite new members section.

To invite new members using a link:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select the channel for which you need a link
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Share channel link

Choose from one of the options:

• Invite via Rakuten Viber: Select contacts, groups, other channels you manage, and communities to share your channel invite link with.
• Copy link: Copies the link to your clipboard. You can now paste the link onto your website, embed it in a QR code, and more.
• Share link: Share your channel link outside of Rakuten Viber. If someone who doesn’t have Rakuten Viber opens the link, they will be prompted to download the Rakuten Viber app (only Rakuten Viber users can join channels on Rakuten Viber).

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel for which you need a link
3. Click on the Share button at the top of the screen
4. Click on the Invite URL to copy the link to your clipboard

To invite new members using a link:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel for which you need a link
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Invite
6. Tap on Share (Android) or  (iOS) at the top of the screen
7. Tap Copy to copy the link to your clipboard

From this screen, you can also share the invite link with a contact or app outside of Rakuten Viber.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel for which you need a link
3. Click on the Share button at the top of the screen
4. Click on the Invite URL to copy the link to your clipboard

Superadmins can choose if they want members to be able to invite people to the channel or if they want to keep that privilege for superadmins and admins only.

To change invite permissions:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Share channel link
6. Use the toggle to allow members to share the channel invite link and invite new members, or disable the option

If you disable the permission to invite, your invite link will also automatically be changed.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Channel link
5. Use the toggle to allow members to share the channel invite link and invite new members, or disable the option

Superadmins can disable a private channel invite link to stop people from using it to join the channel. Once a link is disabled, a new link will automatically be generated, which you can use to invite new members.

IMPORTANT: Remember to update your invite link if you display it in places such as your website or on social media.

To disable an invite link:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Share channel link
6. Tap Disable link
7. Confirm

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Channel link
5. Click Disable link
6. Click Continue

Superadmins are in charge of the channel. They can promote members to different roles, generate (and change) the invite link, turn on and off various permissions for all roles, and more. For further information, please refer to the Superadmin and admin privileges table.

Notes

If you create a channel, you will automatically become the superadmin.

Superadmins can promote an admin to the superadmin role. If you want to make a general member of the channel a superadmin, you will need to add them as an admin first.

IMPORTANT

Once someone is a superadmin, they can demote you to admin, remove you from the channel, and make other changes to channel settings.

To promote an admin:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap on the admin you want to promote
6. Tap Add as superadmin

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Hover over the admin that you want to promote
6. Click Add as superadmin

Any superadmin can demote another superadmin to the role of admin.

To demote a superadmin:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap on the superadmin you want to demote to admin
6. Tap Remove as superadmin

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Right-click on the superadmin you want to demote to admin
6. Click Remove as superadmin

Notes

You can also demote yourself by following the same steps.

If the sole superadmin leaves the channel without promoting another member to the superadmin role, the channel will be left with zero superadmins. This allows one admin to assign the role to themself. Once the role of superadmin has been filled, no other admins will be able to become a superadmin unless the new superadmin promotes them.

To establish yourself as the new superadmin of a channel without an existing superadmin:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap Add me as superadmin

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Right-click on your name
6. Click Add me as superadmin

Channel admins play less of a moderation role, instead focusing more on content creation. Admins can post in the chat, pin messages, and be contacted by channel members.

For more information, please refer to the Superadmin and admin privileges table.

Superadmins can promote a member to be an admin, giving them new privileges.

To promote a member:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap on the person you want to promote
6. Tap Add as admin

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Hover over the person that you want to promote
6. Click Add as admin

Superadmins can add someone directly as an admin, even if they aren’t yet a channel member.

To add an admin:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap Channel info
5. In the Members section, tap Add admins
6. Select the person(s) you would like to make an admin(s)
7. Tap on the Checkmark (Android) or Done (iOS) at the top of the screen to confirm

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Add admins
5. Select the person(s) you would like to make an admin(s)
6. Click Add

Only superadmins can demote admins to regular members. To demote an admin, please follow the steps below:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap the relevant channel
3. Tap the channel name at the top
4. Tap the user you would like to demote
5. Tap Remove as admin

Superadmins can control which admins can send messages in the channel chat.

To change writing permissions:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Admin privileges
6. Select which admins can send a message in the channel

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Admin privileges
5. Select which admins can send a message in the channel

Superadmins and admins can create an alias for their profile picture and name to protect their privacy when posting in a channel. If a member contacts an admin with an alias, their chat will display the admin’s actual Rakuten Viber profile details. Users with the admin's number saved will see the real display name alongside the alias.

Tip: If you want your content to look like it’s coming from ‘one source,’ ask all the admins to use a single custom alias or the channel details.

To set an alias:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Find Alias
6. Tap Set alias
7. Select your alias
   • Default - your current name and picture on Rakuten Viber
   • Channel - the channel’s name and icon
   • Custom - a different name and picture
8. Tap Set alias

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Set alias
5. Select your alias
   • Default - your current name and picture on Rakuten Viber
   • Channel - the channel’s name and icon
   • Custom - a different name and picture

You can use a custom alias if you don’t want to reveal your identity or use the channel’s profile details. A custom alias can also be used temporarily (for example, if you want a holiday-themed display picture) or if the admins need to display a distinct name or picture so that members can differentiate between them.

To create a custom alias:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Find Alias
6. Tap Set alias
7. Select Set new alias, or tap on the Pen if you want to change an existing custom alias
8. Tap the Camera
9. Choose from where you would like to source your picture
   • Your Gallery
   • Take a photo with your camera
   • Use your current Rakuten Viber photo
10. Confirm your choice
11. Tap on New alias or your existing alias name
12. Type in a name
13. Tap Set alias

Once your alias is created, you can select it from the alias options and tap Set alias or choose another option.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Set alias
5. Select your alias
6. Select Create new alias, or click on the Pen if you want to change an existing custom alias
7. Click on Select new image
8. Select an image that is already saved on your computer
9. Click on the preview box and move it over the part of the image that you want to use for your alias picture
   • You can resize the preview box by clicking and dragging the corners of the box
10. Click Done
11. Click on New alias or your existing alias name
12. Type in a name
13. Click Create alias

At the moment, there is no way to close a channel; however, superadmins have the following options:

• Ban or remove all members of the channel manually
• Demote all other admins and superadmins and turn off members’ ability to send a message to ensure that no one else can use the channel
• Disable the invite link so that new members can’t join the channel
• Delete all messages manually (tip: use Delete all from user) to erase the chat history

In channels, members can only see a list of (super)admins, while (super)admins can access the entire members list. Members cannot contact one another, while (super)admins can allow subscribers to contact them. This setting is individual per (super)admin.

If you want your members to be able to see who else is in the group and be able to contact one another, consider creating a community.

To find out who’s part of your channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info

A list of members will be displayed in the bottom half of the Info page. You will also see the total number of members and who is an admin/superadmin.

Tap Show all and scroll through the list to find a member, or swipe down (iOS), tap the Search field, and type in a name.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Members
   • The total number of members will be displayed next to the word Members

Once you click on Members, you will see a list divided between (super)admins and other channel members. Scroll through the list to find a member, or click in the Search field and type in a name.

You can contact your members and admins safely (without revealing your phone number or theirs) by sending them a private message.

Please note that admins who have an alias set will have their Rakuten Viber name and profile picture exposed when they send (or receive) a private message.

To contact a (super)admin or channel member:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, select the person you want to contact
6. Tap Message (name of member)

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Hover over the person you want to contact
6. Click on the Message button

Notes

• Members: Can contact and be contacted by (super)admins only
• (Super)admins: Can contact and be contacted by members, admins, and superadmins
• If a member or (super)admin has chosen not to accept private messages, you won’t be able to contact them

Control if channel members (who aren’t in your contact list) can message you:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Find Allow members to contact you
6. Use the switch to allow members to send you messages or disable the option

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Find Allow members to contact you
5. Use the switch to allow members to send you messages or disable the option

Notes

Members will see the opposite option: Allow admins to contact you.

You can remove members from your channel; however, they will be able to rejoin the channel via an invite link. To permanently remove someone from the channel, you need to ban them.

To remove a member:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap on the member you want to remove
6. Tap Remove from channel

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Right-click on the member you want to remove
6. Click Remove from channel

Notes

Members: Can be removed by admins and superadmins

Admins: Can be removed by superadmins

Superadmins: Can be removed by superadmins

Banned members will be removed from the channel and won’t be able to rejoin, even if they try to use an invite link. Once you ban someone, a Banned users list will be created, which you can use to unban members.

To ban a member:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Under Members, tap on the member you want to ban
6. Tap Ban (name/phone number of the member)

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Members
5. Right-click on the member you want to ban
6. Click Ban (name/phone number of the member)

Notes

1. Members: Can be banned by admins and superadmins
2. Admins: Can be banned by superadmins
3. Superadmins: Can be banned by superadmins. If you’re using Android, you will first need to demote the superadmin to admin before you can ban them

When a member is banned, they will be added to the Banned users list. Use this list to see who is currently banned and also to unban members.

To unban a member:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Banned users
6. Tap Edit

Android: Tap on the X next to the person you want to unban. Tap OK to confirm.

iOS: Tap on the Minus next to the person you want to unban, and then tap on the X. Tap Okay to confirm.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on Info
4. Click Banned users
5. Click on the X next to the person you want to unban
6. Click OK to confirm

Notes

• Unbanning a member won’t add them back to the channel; they will need to join again using an invite link or be added by another member/admin
• Members who were previously admins/superadmins won’t have their role reinstated if they join the channel again (unless they are promoted)

As an admin, you are responsible for creating content for your channel, which should adhere to Rakuten Viber’s Acceptable Use Policy. If your members find your content inappropriate, they can report the channel and/or specific messages, which may lead us to close your channel. For more information, please refer to Rakuten Viber’s Terms of Service.

New members can see the entire chat history of a channel once they join it, allowing them to easily catch up on all messages previously sent in the channel.

A pinned message will always stay at the top of your channel chat screen. Tapping/clicking on the message will bring your members directly to the message in your chat.

To pin a message in your chat:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone/desktop
   • Tap on Chats  (phone)
2. Select the channel in which you would like to pin a message
3. Long tap/right-click on a message
4. Select Pin

Notes

You can only have one pinned message at a time. Pinning a new message will unpin the previous message.

Translate a message into a language that you understand. Messages can also be translated when they are sent together with pictures, URLs, and videos. The language the message will be translated into depends on what language Rakuten Viber is set to (Android) or what language your phone is set to (iOS).

To change the language your messages will be translated into:

Android

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on More
3. Tap on Settings
4. Tap on General
5. Tap on Language
6. Select the language
7. Tap on the Checkmark*

*This will also change the language Rakuten Viber is displayed in

iOS

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on More
3. Tap on Settings
4. Tap Language

Once you tap Language, you will be taken to your phone’s settings, where you can change your language settings for Rakuten Viber.

To translate a message:

• Phone: long tap on the message and tap Translate
• Desktop: right-click on the message and click Translate

The translated message will appear under the original message. The timestamp shown indicates the time the original (untranslated) message was sent.

IMPORTANT

Translations are done by 3rd parties. When a message is sent for translation, it is sent unencrypted to the translation service's servers.

Superadmins can delete messages sent in the chat by admins and other superadmins, while admins can only delete their own messages.

To delete a message:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Long tap on the message you want to delete
5. Tap Delete
6. Select additional messages you want to delete (if applicable)
7. Tap on Trash
8. Tap Delete message

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Right-click on the message you want to delete
4. Select Delete from the list of options

To delete all messages sent by an admin, tap/click Delete all from user in the last step.

To delete multiple messages from members:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on one of the messages you want to delete
4. Click Select
5. Select the additional messages you want to delete
6. Tap on Trash
7. Tap Delete for all participants

Note
Rakuten Viber cannot restore messages deleted by channel admins.

Allow members to comment on messages:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Enable comments
6. Use the toggle to allow members to leave comments on messages, or disable the feature
   • Disabling the feature won’t delete existing comments

Once you enable the feature, members will see a Comments button underneath each message. A New comment icon will appear next to the message when new comments are made. To turn off comments for a specific message, long tap on it and select Disable comments.

To ONLY turn on comments per message, long tap on a message and select Enable comments.

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Click on a channel in which you are a superadmin
3. Click on the channel name at the top of the screen
4. Click on the Enable comments toggle

To turn off comments for a specific message, right-click on it and select Disable comments.

To ONLY turn on comments per message, right-click on a message and select Enable comments.

Moderation

Admins and superadmins can long tap (phone) or hover (desktop) on a member’s profile picture (next to their comment) to see the following option:

Message (name): Send the member a private message.

More options are available when using a phone:

View: See member’s details.

Add as admin: Make the member an admin.

Remove from channel*: The member will be removed from the channel; however, they will be able to join it again through an invite link.

Ban*: The member will be permanently banned from the channel.

Delete all: All comments made by the member to a specific message will be deleted.

To remove a single comment, long tap or right-click on the comment and select Delete.

*Please note that banning or removing a member won’t delete their existing comments from the channel. If you see that the member made many inappropriate comments, we suggest that you Delete all comments made by the member first, and then remove or ban them.

Polls are a fast way to find out what members of your channel want/think.

To create a poll:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone or desktop
   • Tap on Chats  (phone)
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Select the Poll icon at the bottom of the screen
4. Type in your question in the Ask a question field
5. Type in possible options in the Add option fields
   • Select the Plus button to add more options (up to 10 in total)
   • You can move the position of the options by tapping/clicking on the Reorder icon and dragging it up or down
6. Select Create at the bottom of the page

Members will select an option by tapping/clicking on the heart at the end of the option’s line. They can also change their response by tapping/clicking on another option.

The poll results are displayed with the number of votes under each heart, the total number of votes at the bottom of the poll, and as a percentage of all votes under each option.

IMPORTANT

• Once you create a poll, neither you nor other members can add more options.
• It isn’t possible to see individual responses, i.e., what answer each member chose.

Unlike polls, quizzes have a correct answer and can only be answered once by each member.

To create a quiz:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone or desktop
   • Tap on Chats  (phone)
2. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Select the Poll icon at the bottom of the screen
4. Tap/click on the toggle next to Quiz mode (the lightbulb will change color to indicate quiz mode)
5. Type in your question in the Ask a question field
6. Type in possible answers in the Add option fields
   • Select the Plus button to add more answers (up to 10 in total)
   • You can move the position of the answers by tapping/clicking on the Reorder icon and dragging it up or down
7. Select the correct answer
   • Optional: add an explanation for the answer
8. Select Create at the bottom of the page

Channel members can select their answer by tapping/clicking on the heart at the end of the answer line. If their answer is correct, they will see a green tick; if their answer is wrong, they will see a red cross. If available, the explanation of the answer will be shown after the answer is submitted. Once submitted, answers cannot be changed.

Superadmins and admins will always see the percentage of people who selected each answer, while members will only have this information after submitting their answer. The number of members who participated in the quiz can be seen at the bottom of the poll.

Notes

It isn’t possible to see individual responses, i.e., what answer each member chose.

Find out who has seen messages sent to the group and if they have reacted to them.

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats
3. Select a group
4. Long tap on a message
5. Tap Info

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a group
3. Right-click on a message
4. Click on Info

The first tab will display who has seen your message (or “stats” for admins/superadmins). Select the other tabs to see who has reacted to the message.

Detailed lists of reactions are only kept for 14 days. Beyond that, you will only be shown the number of users who have seen the message and the reactions it received (number per reaction). In addition, detailed lists will not be available for reactions once any counter is over 100.

You can share a post from a channel with anyone outside the Rakuten Viber platform.

Copy link*

The receiver will see the post (if it’s a picture or video) with a link to the channel (or just the link if you’re sharing a text-only message.)

1. Long tap or right-click on the post
2. Select Copy message link

*Only available in public channels.

Share media (pictures and videos)

The receiver will only see the picture or video without a link to the channel.

1. Long tap or right-click on the picture or video
2. Select Share
3. Choose where you would like to share the post

Channel insights* show you detailed information about your channel members and how your content is being engaged with. For more information, please refer to the Community and channel insights article.

With Rakuten Viber’s Post API, you can easily scale your channel by creating and posting content using your favorite content management platform.

To access your authentication token:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin*
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on channel info
5. Tap Developer tools
6. Either Copy the token to your clipboard or Share it with a contact/another app

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel in which you are a superadmin*
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Developer tools
5. Either Copy the token to your clipboard or Share it with a contact/another app

*IMPORTANT: All superadmins have access to the authentication token.

Further information on implementing the API can be found in the Post API documentation.

Scheduled messages allow admins and superadmins to prepare channel content up to 1 year ahead.

Limitations

You can schedule any type of message except for the following:

• A poll or quiz
• A disappearing message
• A voice or video message

Notes

You can only see your own scheduled messages per channel, not those of other admins and super admins.

Messages can be scheduled from either the chat screen or the Scheduled messages screen, unless specified below.

Chat screen and scheduled message screen:

• Text messages
• Photos
• Videos
• Files
• Links

Scheduled message screen only:

• GIFs
• Stickers
• Location
• Contacts

To schedule a message:

Phone

Chat screen:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Type your message
5. Long tap the Send button
6. Select the time and day you would like the message to be sent
7. Tap Send

Scheduled messages screen:

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Scheduled messages
6. Type your message
7. Tap Send
8. Select the time and day you would like the message to be sent
9. Tap Send

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Click on a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click Scheduled messages
4. Type your message
5. Click on the Send button
6. Select the time and day you would like the message to be sent
7. Click Send

Once your message is successfully sent, you will receive a notification, and it will be removed from your Scheduled messages list.

Notes

If two messages are scheduled for the same time, they will be sent one after the other.

To see your list of scheduled messages:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Scheduled messages

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Click on a channel in which you are an admin or superadmin
3. Click on the channel name at the top of the screen
4. Click Scheduled messages

Remember: You can only view your own scheduled messages and not those of other admins.

From the Scheduled messages screen on your phone, you can do the following:

Send the message now

1. Open the Scheduled messages list on your phone
2. Long tap on the message you want to send
3. Tap Send now

Edit the message

1. Open the Scheduled messages list on your phone
2. Long tap on the message you want to edit
3. Tap Edit
4. Edit your message
5. Tap Confirm

Change the scheduled time

1. Open the Scheduled messages list on your phone
2. Long tap on the message you want to edit
3. Tap Change time
4. Select the time and day you would like the message to be sent
5. Tap Send (Android) or Save (iOS)

Cancel the scheduled message

1. Open the Scheduled messages list on your phone
2. Long tap on the message you want to cancel
3. Tap Delete
4. Tap Delete again

Messages not sent at the scheduled time will appear red in the Scheduled messages list.

Tap on the message to try sending it again, or long tap to reschedule the message for a later time or date.

If you uninstall Rakuten Viber and reinstall the app, your scheduled messages won’t be affected.

If you deactivate your Rakuten Viber account, your scheduled messages will be deleted.

When you leave a channel, your unsent scheduled messages will be permanently deleted.

Admins that have been removed or banned from the channel will automatically have their unsent scheduled messages permanently deleted.

If an admin was demoted or their writing permissions were removed, their scheduled messages won’t be sent; instead, they will remain in the Scheduled messages list. An admin who has their role and permissions restored will be able to reschedule the messages to be sent out.

Highlight notifications let you know when something interesting is happening in the channel (based on member ‘reactions’) while muting the rest of the messages.

To receive highlight notifications:

Phone (only available on Android)

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your Android
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select the channel for which you want to receive highlight notifications
4. Tap Info
5. Tap Chat info
6. Tap Notifications
7. Select Highlights

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your Android
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Long tap on the channel for which you want to receive highlight notifications
4. Tap Notifications
5. Select Highlights

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. In the chat list, right-click on the channel for which you want to receive highlight notifications
3. Click on Notifications
4. Select Highlights

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select the channel for which you want to receive highlight notifications
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Notifications
5. Select Highlights

To stop receiving highlights, follow the same steps, selecting either Muted or All (you will be notified of all messages sent) in the last step.

Mute a channel to stop receiving message notifications. You will still see New message alerts next to the channel in the chat list unless you Snooze the channel.

To mute a channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select the channel you want to mute
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info

Android: Tap on Notifications and select Muted.

iOS: Tap on the switch next to Mute channel.

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Long tap (Android)/swipe left (iOS) on the name of the channel that you want to mute
   • Android: tap on Notifications
4. Tap Mute

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. In the chat list, right-click on the channel that you want to mute
3. Click on Notifications
4. Select Muted

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel you want to mute
3. Click on Info
4. Click on Notifications
5. Select Muted

To unmute the channel, follow the same steps, selecting Unmute instead of muted in the last step.

Snoozing a channel will bring the channel chat to the bottom of the chat list and mute all message notifications for 30 days.

To snooze a channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select a channel you want to put on snooze
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Snooze for 30 days

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Long tap (Android)/swipe left (iOS) on the name of the channel you want to put on snooze
4. Tap Snooze

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. In the chat list, right-click on the channel that you want to put on snooze
3. Select Snooze for 30 days

OR

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select a channel you want to put on snooze
3. Click on Info
4. Select Snooze for 30 days

To unsnooze the channel, follow the same instructions, selecting Unsnooze in the last step.

If you no longer wish to be part of the channel, you can leave it and delete it from your chat list. To join the channel again, someone will need to send you the channel invite link.

To leave a channel:

Phone

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your phone
2. Tap on Chats 
3. Select the channel you want to leave
4. Tap Info (Android) or the name of the channel (iOS) at the top of the screen
   • Android: tap on Channel info
5. Tap Leave and delete
6. Confirm

Desktop

1. Open Rakuten Viber on your desktop
2. Select the channel you want to leave
3. Click on Info
4. Click Leave and delete at the bottom of the screen
5. Confirm

Notes

If you are a superadmin, leaving will not delete the channel itself.