Discord is a free chat app where you can join communities, talk to friends, or create your own group

Discord works on your phone, computer, or web browser. You create a free account, then join existing communities called servers or start your own. Each server is like a separate group chat with its own channels — some for text, some for voice calls. You can join as many servers as you want, and people can only see what you write in the channels they're part of.

The basic steps are: download the app or go to Discord's website, create an account with an email address, then join a server using an invite link. Once you're in, you can customize how you appear to others and adjust your notification settings so you're not overwhelmed by messages.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an email address and a username to create a Discord account, which takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
  • Joining a server requires an invite link from someone already in that server — you cannot search for servers or join random ones without permission.
  • Your profile picture, status message, and notification settings are all optional and can be changed anytime.
  • Servers have different channels for different topics, and you only see channels the server owner has let you access.
  • You can mute entire servers or individual channels so their messages do not pop up on your phone or computer.

Creating your Discord account

Go to discord.com or download the Discord app from your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). Click "Register" or "Create Account." You will need to enter a username, an email address, and a password. Discord will send a confirmation email to the address you provided — open it and click the link to verify your account.

Your username is what other people see when you post messages. You can change it later by going to User Settings (the gear icon next to your username) and selecting "Edit Profile." Discord also assigns you a number tag after your username — for example, username#1234 — but you do not need to share this unless someone asks for it.

Finding and joining a server

You cannot browse Discord's servers like you would browse a website. Instead, someone has to send you an invite link. These links look like discord.gg/abc123def or discord.com/invite/abc123def. When you click a link, Discord opens and shows you the server's name and a preview of what channels are inside. Click "Join Server" to enter.

Invite links come from friends, Discord community websites, or the server owner. Some links expire after a certain time or after a certain number of people use them, so if a link does not work, ask the person who sent it for a new one. Once you join, you stay in the server until you leave it yourself.

Understanding channels and permissions

Inside each server are channels — separate spaces for different conversations. A server might have a #general channel for anything, a #gaming channel for game talk, and a #voice-chat channel for voice calls. Text channels start with a hashtag (#). Voice channels have a speaker icon next to their name.

The server owner or moderators decide which channels you can see and post in. Some channels might be hidden from new members until they introduce themselves or follow a rule. If you cannot see a channel you think should be there, you do not have permission to access it yet — ask a moderator or the server owner to give you access.

Setting up your profile and notifications

Click your username in the bottom left corner (on desktop) or tap the gear icon (on mobile) to open User Settings. Under "Edit Profile," you can add a profile picture, a status message (like "Playing chess" or "Away"), and a bio. None of this is required — you can leave it blank if you prefer.

Notifications are important to set up so Discord does not interrupt you constantly. Go to User Settings and select "Notifications." You can choose to mute entire servers or individual channels. For example, you might mute a gaming server during work hours but keep notifications on for a server where close friends post. You can also set Discord to only notify you when someone mentions your name directly, rather than every time anyone posts.

Talking in channels and direct messages

To send a message in a channel, click the text box at the bottom that says "Message #channelname" and type. Press Enter to send. Your message appears with your username and profile picture next to it. You can edit a message by right-clicking it (desktop) or holding down on it (mobile) and selecting "Edit." You can delete it the same way.

You can also send direct messages to individual people. Click the envelope icon at the top left, then click the plus sign to start a new direct message. Type the person's username and select them from the list. Direct messages are private — only you and that person can see them.

Leaving a server or blocking someone

To leave a server, right-click the server name on the left side (desktop) or hold down on it (mobile) and select "Leave Server." You can rejoin later if someone sends you a new invite link. Leaving does not delete your messages — they stay in the server for others to see.

If someone is bothering you, you can block them. Right-click their username in a message and select "Block User." They will not be able to send you direct messages, and you will not see their messages in channels. You can unblock them anytime in User Settings under "Blocked Users."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name on Discord?

No. Your username can be anything you want. Discord does not ask for your real name, and you should never share personal information like your address or phone number in public channels. Keep your real identity private unless you trust the people in that server.

Can I join a server without an invite link?

No. Discord servers are private by default. You need an invite link from someone who is already in the server, or the server owner has to send you one directly. There is no way to search for or join a random server.

What happens if I turn off notifications for a server?

You will still be in the server and can read messages anytime you open Discord. You just will not get alerts on your phone or computer when new messages arrive. You can turn notifications back on anytime.

Can people see what servers I am in?

No. Your server list is private. Other people can only see what you post in channels they are also in. They cannot see a list of all your servers or which ones you belong to.

Is Discord safe for kids?

Discord itself has no age restriction, but many servers are for adults only. Talk to your child about not sharing personal information, not accepting friend requests from strangers, and telling you if someone makes them uncomfortable. You can set parental controls on their device to limit which apps they use.