> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xpressbot.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels

> Connect messaging channels, see which one is active, and switch the working context for the rest of the app.

## What is this?

**Channels** is where you connect your communication channels — WhatsApp, Web Chat, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Event Studio — review which channel is currently **active**, and switch between them.

The active channel controls what you see across the workspace. Dashboard, Inbox, Campaigns, and Analytics all load data for the active channel, so if the wrong one is selected you'll still see data — but it may belong to the wrong number, brand, or integration.

\[SCREENSHOT: channels-overview — Full Channels page]

<Info>
  Channels is opened from the profile menu in the top-right corner. Which channel types you can connect depends on your permissions and plan. Channels your plan or license doesn't include show **Not Licensed** with an **Upgrade** option.
</Info>

## What can I do here?

* Confirm which channel is currently **active**
* **Switch Channel** before doing channel-based work
* Connect a channel from the channel cards — **WhatsApp**, **Web Chat**, **Google**, **Facebook**, **Instagram**, and **Event Studio**
* See each channel's status: **Connected**, **Disconnected**, or **Ready to connect**
* Set **Business Hours** for the channel (shared by WhatsApp, Web Chat, Facebook, and Instagram)
* **Rename Channel**
* **Delete Channel** when it's no longer needed
* Add another Facebook Page with **Add new Facebook Page**
* Create an event under Event Studio with **Create event**

<Note>
  Some channel types — such as RCS, Telegram, and Threads — are shown as **Soon** while they're not yet available.
</Note>

## How to use it

### 1. Confirm the active channel

Before you go anywhere else in the app, check which channel is active. This is the first thing to check whenever Dashboard or Inbox seems to be showing the wrong data.

### 2. Connect a channel

1. Go to **Channels** from the profile menu.

2. Open the card for the channel type you need and complete its setup flow. For Google, see [Google](/workspace/google/overview).

   \[SCREENSHOT: channels-open-the-card-for-the-channel-type-you-need-a — Channels — Open the card for the channel type you need and complete its]

3. Once connected, the card shows **Connected**.

<Warning>
  Connecting WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Google requires your platform administrator to have configured the matching OAuth settings — see WhatsApp OAuth, Facebook OAuth, Instagram OAuth, and Google OAuth.
</Warning>

### 3. Switch channels

Use **Switch Channel** before you reply in Inbox, check Dashboard, launch campaigns, or review analytics, so you're working in the right context.

### 4. Set business hours

Click **Business Hours** to set the schedule used to decide when the channel appears online or offline.

### 5. Rename or delete a channel

1. Use **Rename Channel** to change its name.
2. To remove a channel, choose **Delete Channel** and confirm.

<Warning>
  Deleting a channel **cannot be undone**. It permanently removes all contacts and conversations, team members assigned to the channel, the WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Web Chat, and Google connections, and its messages, templates, and API logs. Only delete a channel after confirming no team or workflow still depends on it.
</Warning>

\[SCREENSHOT: channels-to-remove-a-channel-choose-delete-channel-and — Channels — To remove a channel, choose Delete Channel and confirm]

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **Dashboard or Inbox shows the wrong data.** Check the active channel and use **Switch Channel**.
* **A channel card says Not Licensed.** Your license or plan doesn't include it — use **Upgrade**.
* **"Select an active channel first to manage event settings."** Pick an active channel before using Event Studio settings.
* **"Event Studio is not included in your plan."** Upgrade to enable events.

## Related docs

* [Dashboard](/workspace/dashboard)
* [Inbox](/workspace/inbox/overview)
* [Google](/workspace/google/overview)
* [WhatsApp](/workspace/whatsapp/overview)
* [Instagram](/workspace/instagram/overview)
* [Web Chat](/workspace/web-chat/overview)