# Start an Internal Chat

Chat lets you message coworkers directly from the Cloud Voice App, either one-to-one or in a group, and drop in emoji, images, and files to keep the conversation moving. Use it for quick internal questions and handoffs that do not need a phone call.

Every message and shared file is kept in sync across the Cloud Voice App wherever you sign in, so a thread you start on your phone is also there when you open the app on the web or desktop.

:::note
"Internal Chat" is for messaging colleagues on your own phone system. Because your conversation history follows your account, you can pick up the same threads and files on the mobile, web, and desktop versions of the Cloud Voice App without losing anything.
:::

## Start a chat from your phone

![Internal chat view showing a group conversation in the Cloud Voice App](/images/pbx/start-a-chat.png)

1. In the mobile Cloud Voice App, open **Chat** and select **Internal Chat**.
2. Tap the add icon ![Add](/images/pbx/add-black.png) in the top-right corner, then choose **Create Group**.
3. Search for the coworker or coworkers you want to include, select them, and tap **OK**.

:::tip
The number of people you pick decides the type of chat: select one coworker to start a one-to-one conversation, or select several to start a group chat. Once the chat opens, you can add emoji, pictures, and files to any message.
:::

## What happens next

- For a one-to-one chat, the conversation shows up for the other person once you send your first message.
- For a group chat, the conversation appears automatically in the chat list of everyone you added, even before the first message is sent.