This howto will help you start using Matrix. I will take you thru the process to download the client, how to setup your account, and then teach you how to use the Matrix.
On Android, I suggest you NOT install from the G00g Play "Toy" Store and instead install it using the F-Droid store which has all free and open source Android apps:
Now one of the **major advantages** to Matrix is that it is decentralized and federated. What this means is that each Matrix server talks to each other and that a user with an account on one server is able to communicate with other users on different servers. Feel free to read up on more of that if you'd like, but it is outside of scope here.
The Matrix server which I was using ended up getting turned off without any notice, so I spun up my own. Servers getting shut down does not usually ever happen on Matrix. Most people are not going to host their own servers but the awesome thing about Matrix is that you can create an account on any server and everyone can talk to each other and participate in encrypted group chats.
[Here is a small list of some different servers and you can choose what you want.](https://glowers.club/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki:newfriends#what_homeserver_should_i_use)
Even the Monero developers created [their own server](http://matrix.monero.social/).
##### The fine print
For those who keep creating accounts on the Matrix.org server, please be aware of this, which ** I read about [here](https://glowers.club/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki%3Anewfriends) and wanted to share:
Using matrix.org as your homeserver is not recommended by the vast majority of [Matrix] users as they selectively apply their rules, are uncooperative with other homeservers, and have previously mass-banned rooms for no reason. Numerous popular rooms will not be accessible if you use matrix.org as your homeserver**
Depending upon what you are using, please refer to these clearly written tutorials with screenshots written by the Monero Core Team. I believe their server is public, so you are free to use their server if you wanted to.
* [How to join Matrix via Web](https://forum.monero.space/d/79-how-to-join-the-monero-core-team-matrix-server-web)
* [How to join Matrix via Android](https://forum.monero.space/d/81-how-to-join-the-monero-core-team-matrix-server-android)
* [How to join Matrix via Apple iPhone](https://forum.monero.space/d/82-how-to-join-the-monero-core-team-matrix-server-apple-ios)
Now you just have to familiarize yourself with this new software. You will be able to join any Matrix chatroom on any server, so there are a ton out there. Do not get overwhelmed & I'm going to include some other tutorials below to help you get familiar with Element.
1. Check under the [section titled "Getting Connected" here](https://frontpagelinux.com/tutorials/beginners-guide-how-to-get-started-with-element-matrix/) to learn more about how to join rooms.
1. For those who learn better with a video, check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDD49zEp3Uk) to better learn your way around the Matrix web client.
And if you are wondering "Why not Signal?", then you can learn more about their SurveillenceCoin/shitcoin called MobileCoin and why you do not want it in your life in [this recent video here from The Hated One](https://www.bitchute.com/video/tJoO2uWrX1M/). **Signal can not be trusted anymore...**