Messages App

The Messages app is your primary tool for text-based communication with other characters or groups within the game world. All conversations are also mirrored in the main Foundry VTT chat log for GM visibility.

• Accessing the App: Tap the Messages icon (typically a speech bubble 💬) on the Home Screen.
• Main Screen (Conversation List):
  • Upon opening, you'll see a list of your recent conversations.
  • Each item shows the contact's name (or group name), their profile picture (or group avatar), the preview of the last message, and the time the last message was sent.
  • Unread messages are indicated by a blue badge showing the number of unread messages.
  • You can use the search bar (🔍) at the top to find conversations by name or message content.
  • Tap the pencil icon (New Message) ✏️ to start a new 1-on-1 conversation by entering a phone number.
  • Tap the group icon (New Group) 👥 to create a new group chat by selecting members from your contacts and giving the group a name.
  • Tap any existing conversation item to open the chat screen.
• Chat Screen (Conversation View):
  • The top header displays the contact's name and picture, or the group's name and avatar. For unsaved contacts, the phone number might be shown instead.
  • Messages are displayed in bubbles. Your messages appear on the right (blue), and others' messages appear on the left (grey). If it's a group chat and the sender is different from the previous message, their name and avatar are shown above their message bubble.
  • Each message bubble shows the content and the time it was sent.
  • Sending Messages:
    • Type your message in the input area at the bottom. The input area automatically resizes as you type.
    • Tap the image icon 🖼️ to attach an image from the Foundry VTT file browser. A preview will appear above the text input. Tap the 'X' on the preview to remove the image.
    • Tap the send button ▶️ or press Enter (without Shift) to send the message. The button is enabled only when there's text or an image to send.
  • Chat Options (Top Right Menu ⋮):
    • In a 1-on-1 chat, tap the menu icon (⋮) to view partner info or delete the conversation.
    • In a group chat, tap the menu icon (⋮) to view the member list.
  • Group Member List (Accessed via Chat Options):
    • Shows all members currently in the group chat.
    • The group creator (GM or designated player) can tap on a member to view their info or remove them from the group.
    • The group creator can also delete the entire group chat from this panel.
  • Contact Cards: If someone shares a contact card in the chat, it will appear as a special message block showing the contact's picture, name, and phone number. Tap the "Add to Contacts" button (+) on the card to save it directly to your Contacts app.
• Foundry Chat Log Integration:
  • Messages sent and received via the smartphone are also displayed in Foundry VTT's main chat log, prefixed with [PHONE] and showing sender/recipient information. This allows the GM to easily monitor in-character communication.
  • Contact cards shared via the smartphone appear as formatted cards in the chat log as well, with a button to add the contact directly.
• Notifications:
  • When you receive a new message while the smartphone widget is visible but the specific chat screen isn't open, a toast notification will pop up briefly at the top of your Foundry VTT screen, showing the sender's name and a message preview.
  • Clicking this toast notification opens the smartphone widget directly to that conversation.
  • Even if the widget is hidden, you can still receive notification sounds (if enabled in Settings) and standard browser notifications (if browser permissions are granted).