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Learn how to initiate a private one-on-one chat with a group member directly from a group chat screen.

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Overview

This feature allows users to start a private, direct chat with a member of a group without leaving the group chat context. It enables seamless, context-aware private conversations, improving collaboration and user experience. Users can tap on a group member to instantly open a private chat.

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Prerequisites

  • A Flutter project with CometChat UIKit Flutter v5 installed
  • CometChat credentials (appID, region, authKey) initialized
  • Group chat and user info screens implemented
  • Navigation setup for moving between group and private chat screens

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Components

Component / ClassRole
CometChatMessageListDisplays group messages and user avatars
CometChatUserInfoShows user details and actions (e.g., “Message” button)
PageManagerHandles navigation to the private chat screen
lib/messages.dartMain chat screen logic
lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dartUser info and action UI

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Integration Steps

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Add User Info/Action in Group Chat

Allow users to view group member info and provide a “Message” action. 
IconButton(
  icon: Icon(Icons.info_outline),
  onPressed: () {
    Navigator.push(
      context,
      MaterialPageRoute(
        builder: (context) => CometChatUserInfo(user: user),
      ),
    );
  },
);
File reference:
lib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart

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Handle Private Message Navigation

Start a private chat with the selected user. 
ElevatedButton(
  onPressed: () {
    PageManager().navigateToMessages(
      context: context,
      user: user,
    );
  },
  child: Text('Message'),
);
File reference:
lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart

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Implementation Flow

  1. User taps a group member’s avatar or info icon
  2. CometChatUserInfo screen opens
  3. User taps “Message”
  4. App navigates to the private chat screen with that user

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Customization Options

  • Styling: Customize the user info screen and action buttons using UIKit theming
  • APIs: Add more actions (e.g., block, view profile) in the user info screen
  • Configuration: Control which users can be messaged (e.g., block list, admin-only)

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Filtering / Edge Cases

  • Exclude Blocked Users: Remove blocked users from selection
  • Existing Conversation: Navigate to an existing private chat if one exists
  • User Blocked: Disable the “Message” button if the user is blocked

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Error Handling & Blocked-User-Handling

  • UI States: Disable the message button and show a tooltip if a user is blocked
  • Feedback: Use SnackBar or Toast for error messages (e.g., “Cannot message this user”)
  • Retry Logic: Allow retrying navigation if a network error occurs

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Optional Context-Specific Notes

  • Group vs. User: This flow applies only to group members; use the standard new chat flow for users outside the group

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Summary / Feature Matrix

FeatureComponent / MethodFile(s)
Show user infoCometChatUserInfolib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart
Message userPageManager.navigateToMessageslib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart
Access from groupAvatar/IconButtonlib/messages.dart

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Next Steps & Further Reading

Flutter Sample App

Fully functional sample applications to accelerate your development.View on GitHub

UI Kit Source Code

Access the complete UI Kit source code on GitHub.View on GitHub
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