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Connect DM, Calls & Screen Share

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Wavebox Connect is a built-in messaging and calling tool in Wavebox. Use it to chat, call, or screen share in the browser window itself, without switching to another app.

Connect helps small teams collaborate quickly and securely.

Connect does not replace your existing team tools like Zoom and Google Meet. Rather, use Connect when you want to initiate an instant call with 2-6 people, without creating/sharing links or codes.

Connect's main features include:

  • Unlimited calls
  • End-to-end encrypted
  • Launch from the top toolbar (phone/callout icon)
  • Over-arching right-hand panel allows you to chat as you work
  • Instant audio/video calls without links or share codes
  • Instant screen share
  • See who's online at any time
  • Send a quick DM notification
  • Jump from chat to call, to video, to screen share from the same panel.

Permissions

Pop-ups will appear when you use your computer's microphone and camera in Wavebox for the first time. Or you can add them manually by following the instructions in this article:

✅ Microphone & Camera Permissions.
When trying to access the camera and/or microphone from an app for the first time, a dialog box appears, prompting you to give Wavebox permission to use them. Just follow the steps to allow Wavebox access. You can check settings here: macOS Privacy & Security * Open macOS System Preferences > Security
Wavebox Browser for Work | Blog & Help CenterSusan Davies

Connect Panel

Show/hide the panel:

  • Click the Connect icon in the toolbar:
    • (1) Click once for compact view
    • (2) Click again for expanded view
    • (3) Click again for compact view
    • (4) Click again to close completely.
  • In the panel:
    • Team icons: click to maximize/minimize teams if more than one
    • To switch teams: expand the panel fully and click on the Team dropdown in the top-left.
    • Avatars for each teammate with status indicators

Updating your Avatar & Status:

  • To update your avatar: expand the panel fully and click on your user icon top-right, and select 'Edit my account'.
  • To change your status: expand the panel fully, click on your user icon top-right, and check the box for 'active' or 'busy'.

Connect Chat

  • Use for short conversations.
  • Chats are not saved; only the last 100 messages can be seen in any conversation.
  • Chats support emojis.
  • Sent messages cannot be edited or deleted.
  • Start a call or screen share at any time.

Starting a one-on-one chat:

  • Compact Panel: Hover an avatar to see the tooltip, start typing in the tooltip text field, and hit send.
  • Expanded Panel: Click an avatar, start typing in the text field at the bottom of the panel, and hit send.

Starting a group chat:

  • Expand the panel fully
  • Click on 'Rooms > General'
  • @ your teammates to invite them in.
  • Start chatting in the text field at the bottom of the panel, and hit send.

Joining a chat:

  • You'll receive a desktop notification with sound.
  • Click on the notification to join the chat
  • Or, open the Connect panel and navigate to the conversation.

End a chat:

  • Close the panel when you have finished chats.
  • The last 100 chats are saved in the panel.

Connect Audio & Video Calls

💡
Audio and video feeds are live when a audio/video/screen share is active.

Starting a one-on-one call:

  • Compact Panel: Hover an avatar to see the tooltip, and click on the phone or camera icon. The panel will expand ready for the call.
  • Expanded Panel: Click an avatar, and click on the phone or camera icon.
  • Your camera feed appears at the top of the Connect panel on video calls.

Starting a group call:

  • Expand the panel fully
  • Click on 'Rooms > General'
  • Click on the phone or camera icon. Your camera feed will appear at the top of the panel for video calls.
  • @ your teammates via the chat at the bottom of the panel to invite them in.
  • Their camera feeds appear alongside your own as they join.

Joining a call:

  • You'll receive a desktop notification and hear a ring tone.
  • Click the notification to open the panel and join the call.
  • Or, open the Connect panel and navigate to the call.
  • Audio and video is enabled as soon as you accept the call.

Ending a call:

  • Click on the red phone icon at the top of the panel.
  • A time-stamp for the call is shown in your chat.

Connect Screen Share

Starting a one-on-one screen share:

  • Compact Panel: Hover an avatar to see the tooltip, and click on the monitor icon. The panel will expand, ready for the call.
  • Expanded Panel: Click an avatar, and click on monitor icon.
  • Choosing a Screen: A pop-up window allows you to select what window to share, e.g. pop-up window, tab, or full screen.
  • When the call starts, your screen feed will show at the top of the panel.

Starting a group screen share:

  • Expand the panel fully
  • Click on 'Rooms > General'
  • Click on the monitor icon. Your screen feed will appear at the top of the panel.
  • Your audio is active once the call has started.
  • @ your teammates via the chat at the bottom of the panel to invite them in. Other attendee camera feeds will appear as they join.
  • Anyone on the call can share their screen at any time.

Joining a screen share:

  • You'll receive a desktop notification and hear a ring tone.
  • Click the notification to open the panel and join the call.
  • Or, open the Connect panel and navigate to the call.
  • Audio and video is enabled as soon as you accept the call.

Ending a screen share:

  • Click on the red phone icon at the top of the panel.
  • A time-stamp for the call is shown in your chat.

Managing Rooms

  • Create a new room
    • Expand the panel fully
    • In the Rooms header, click on the + icon
    • Give the room a name and click on the Create button.
  • Manage and delete rooms
    • In the Rooms header, click on the Settings cog
    • A new window opens at My Wavebox > Teams > Rooms.
    • Click the trash can to delete a room.

Managing People

  • Add/edit people
    • Expand the panel fully
    • In the People header, click on the settings icon.
    • This opens My Wavebox > People in a new window.
    • Visit the Team FAQ for further details on how to add and remove people.

Troubleshooting

Missing Connect Icon in the toolbar:

Check your subscription: A team subscription is needed to use Connect.

  • Check Settings: Ensure it’s toggled ON in Settings > General > Connect.
  • Update Wavebox: Use Settings > General > Updates to update.

Audio Muting

  • Not available currently.

Microphone/Camera Issues

  • Check Permissions: Check your system (Windows/Mac) privacy settings and grant Wavebox access to camera/microphone. Learn more.
  • Browser Prompt: If you see a pop-up request to allow camera/microphone access, choose Allow.

Chat History Limit

  • 100 Messages: Connect only stores the last 100 messages in any conversation. Save important info elsewhere if needed. Connect is not a replacement for Slack or other chat tools.