# Getting started with Amazon Chime
The topics in this section explain how to start using version 5 of Amazon Chime. You have the following options:
+ **The desktop client** – If you use Windows or macOS devices, your employer allows you to install software, and you have a reliable network connection, use the Amazon Chime desktop client.
+ **The web app** – If you can't install software, or if you run Linux, you can still use Amazon Chime in a supported browser.
+ **The mobile app** – For mobile work, you can install the app on supported Android and iOS devices.
Review the following topics in the order listed. They assume that you're new to Amazon Chime. If you already use Amazon Chime, you can skip the first three sections, because the desktop client and the mobile app notify you about updates, and we always keep the web app up to date. For more information about updating the clients, see [Understanding automatic updates](chime-auto-update.md).
**Topics**
+ [
# 1. Know the system requirements
](chime-requirements.md)
+ [
# 2. Install the software
](install-software.md)
+ [
# 3. Create an Amazon Chime user account
](create-account.md)
+ [
# 4. Get to know the desktop client and web app
](client-differences.md)
+ [
# 5. (Optional) Set a personalized meeting link
](set-link.md)
+ [
# 6. Add contacts
](contacts.md)
+ [
# 7. Learn how to schedule meetings
](schedule.md)
# 1. Know the system requirements
Before you set up Amazon Chime, first verify that your computer or mobile device meets the following requirements.
**Topics**
+ [
## Windows requirements
](#windows)
+ [
## macOS requirements
](#mac)
+ [
## Android requirements
](#android)
+ [
## iOS requirements
](#ios)
+ [
## Browser requirements
](#browser)
+ [
## Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook requirements
](#addin)
+ [
## Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook on Windows requirements
](#addin-windows)
Amazon Chime provides desktop clients for the following operating systems.
## Windows requirements
Supported versions:
+ Windows 10 and Windows 11
Hardware requirements:
+ Dual core 2GHz or higher, 4Gb RAM or higher
+ **For audio calls**: Microphone and speakers.
+ **For sharing video**: Built-in or external webcam.
## macOS requirements
Supported versions:
+ macOS 11 (Big Sur) and later
Hardware requirements:
+ **Hardware**: Intel or Apple Silicon
+ **For audio calls**: Microphone and speakers
+ **For sharing video**: Built-in or external webcam
## Android requirements
Supported versions:
+ Android OS 8.x and later
Software requirements:
+ OpenGL ES is required for the screen share viewer.
+ Google services and a Google account are required for the best messaging experience.
Hardware requirements:
+ Some features are only available on devices with Bluetooth, telephony, or WiFi.
+ Tablet and phone devices are supported.
+ Kindle Fire tablets are currently not supported.
## iOS requirements
Supported versions:
+ iOS 14.x and later
Hardware requirements:
+ Some features are only available on devices with Bluetooth, telephony, or WiFi.
+ Tablet and phone devices are supported.
## Browser requirements
The Amazon Chime web application supports the following web browsers. We don't support mobile browsers. To open the Amazon Chime web application, sign in to [https://app.chime.aws/](https://app.chime.aws/) in a supported browser.
+ To connect to audio calls from a supported browser, you must have a microphone and speakers.
+ Browsers supported for chat:
+ Google Chrome (latest three versions)
+ Mozilla Firefox (latest three versions)
+ Apple Safari (latest three versions)
+ Microsoft Chromium Edge (latest three versions)
+ Browsers supported for meetings, video, and screen sharing:
+ Google Chrome (latest three versions)
+ Mozilla Firefox (latest three versions)
+ Microsoft Chromium Edge (latest three versions)
+ Browsers supported for screen sharing:
+ Google Chrome (latest three versions)
+ Mozilla Firefox (latest three versions)
+ Chromium Edge (version 84 and later)
+ Browsers with limited meeting support:
+ Apple Safari (latest three versions)
**Note**
*Limited meeting support* means the following.
You must dial in for audio.
You can view video and screen shares.
You can't share video.
## Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook requirements
The Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook is compatible with Office 365 and recent versions of Microsoft Exchange Server on-premises. For information about selecting the correct add-in for your organization, see [Choosing the Right Outlook Add-In](https://answers.chime.aws/articles/663/choosing-the-right-outlook-add-in.html).
Supported Outlook versions:
+ Outlook on the web in Office 365 and Outlook.com
+ Outlook 2013 or newer for Windows
+ Outlook 2016 or newer for macOS
Supported Exchange versions:
+ Office 365
+ On-premises Exchange version 2013 or later, when used with a supported client
## Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook on Windows requirements
For users with Outlook 2010 and Exchange 2010 on Windows, use the Amazon Chime Add-In for Outlook on Windows.
Supported Outlook versions:
+ Outlook 2016
+ Outlook 2019
+ Office LTSC 2021
Supported Exchange versions:
+ Office 365
+ On-premises Exchange
Visit [ https://aws.amazon.com/chime/download](https://aws.amazon.com/chime/download) to get all your Amazon Chime apps. You can install the Amazon Chime from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
# 2. Install the software
After you confirm that your devices meet the system requirements, you can do the following: .
+ For Windows and macOS machines, download and install the Amazon Chime client from [Download Amazon Chime](https://aws.amazon.com/chime/download-chime/).
+ For browsers on Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu machines, run Amazon Chime by going to [https://app.chime.aws](https://app.chime.aws).
+ For mobile devices, go to the Play Store or App Store and install the Amazon Chime mobile app on your Android or iOS device. For more information about using the mobile app, see [Using the Amazon Chime mobile app](chime-mobile-app.md).
# 3. Create an Amazon Chime user account
**Note**
The process for creating an Amazon Chime user account can vary, depending on whether you use Amazon Chime at work, at home, or as part of a small business.
For example, your company may have you enter your email address or network credentials the first time you use Amazon Chime, and that creates your user account. Your company may also decide on using a Team or Enterprise account and your permission levels.
The following information assumes that you don't have those types of company support, and that you or someone you know will act as an Amazon Chime administrator.
You can use Amazon Chime without a user account. When you do, you can only join meetings, listen to audio, and view any video feeds and screen shares.
For a richer Amazon Chime experience, use your work or business email address to sign up for a free Amazon Chime user account. When you do, you receive auto-calls for meetings that you're invited to, and you can use the chat features. Sign-up only takes a few minutes. Also, you can use the Amazon Chime Pro features for 30 days at no charge. When that trial period ends, you can use Amazon Chime with basic permissions for free.
If you only want to participate in meetings and use chat, you can stop there. However, if you want to schedule meetings for up to 250 attendees, use other paid features, or manage your company’s usage of Amazon Chime, you need to do the following:
+ Create an AWS account. For more information about creating an AWS account, see [https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup](https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup). Creating the account makes you the account owner.
+ Create an Amazon Chime administrative user. For more information about creating the user, see [Prerequisites](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ag/prereqs.html) in the *Amazon Chime Administration Guide*.
+ Create an Amazon Chime Team or Enterprise account and associate it with the AWS account.
+ Assign Pro permissions to your Amazon Chime user account.
**Note**
You can assign Basic permissions to other user accounts. Those accounts have the same limitations as free accounts. However, you must grant yourself Pro permissions in order to assign permissions to other users.
For more information about creating Team and Enterprise accounts, and about assigning Pro permissions, see [Getting started](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ag/getting-started.html) in the *Amazon Chime Administrator Guide*.
Once you have a Team or Enterprise account, Amazon Chime becomes a pay-as-you-go service, and you only pay for what you use. Users with Pro permissions only incur charges when they host calls for three or more people, or use other Pro meeting features, such as hosting controls. For more information about purchasing Amazon Chime to manage your users and assign Pro and Basic permissions, see [https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup](https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup).
Basic and Pro accounts provide different levels of access to Amazon Chime's features. For a full list of features, see the [Amazon Chime Pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/chime/pricing) page.
+ **Basic permissions** – Allow you to use all the chat and chat room features as well as attend meetings. This includes getting called for scheduled meetings, and starting meetings with other Amazon Chime registered users with audio, video, and screen sharing capabilities.
+ **Pro permissions** – Include all the chat, chat room, and meeting attendance features included with Basic permissions, plus features that may incur a charge, such as hosting scheduled and instant meetings with up to 250 attendees, recording your meetings, and providing support for attendees to dial-in and join your meetings from an in-room video system.
**Using the Pro trial**
If you create a free user account that isn't associated with an AWS account, you can use the Amazon Chime Pro features for 30 days at no charge. After that trial period, you can continue using Amazon Chime with Basic permissions for free. To continue using Amazon Chime with Pro permissions after trial period, you or your administrator must create an AWS account, and then an Amazon Chime Team or Enterprise account as described above.
**To create an Amazon Chime user account**
1. Open the Amazon Chime desktop client, the web app, or the mobile app.
1. In the **Email address** field, enter the email address that you use to receive meeting invitations and attend meetings.
1. Choose **Sign in / Sign up**, and do one of the following:
+ If your company has already setup Amazon Chime for your email domain, you may be prompted to use your work credentials to sign in. Enter them, and the system signs you in.
+ If you use an email address to access an Amazon.com retail account, enter that email address and password and skip to step 4.
+ If your company isn't set up for Amazon Chime and you aren't using an email address associated with an Amazon.com retail account, do the following:
1. Choose **Create a new Amazon account**.
1. Enter your name and email address, set a strong password
1. Choose **Create your Amazon account**.
1. If prompted, complete the CAPTCHA or one-time password challenge.
**Note**
Until you memorize it, store your password in a secure location.
1. Choose **I agree** to grant your Amazon account access to Amazon Chime.
The system sends an email to the address that you entered in step 2.
1. Open the message and choose **Verify Me**.
To set up Amazon Chime on your other devices, use the same credentials to sign in. Amazon Chime automatically syncs all your messages and meetings across all your devices.
**Note**
If you sign out of Amazon Chime, you sign back in by providing the email address that you entered in step 2. You sign out by choosing the ellipsis menu next to your name, and then choosing **Sign out**.
# 4. Get to know the desktop client and web app
The following sections introduce you to the Amazon Chime desktop client and web app. Amazon Chime tries to provide the same features and tools in both clients. However, they have the following differences:
+ Only the desktop client provides headset call controls. The controls allow you to interact with the Amazon Chime application during meetings using physical buttons on supported headsets and speakerphones For more about supported headsets, see [Supported headset brands](headset.md).
+ The desktop client and web app use different keyboard shortcuts. To view the keyboard shortcuts on Windows devices, press Ctrl\$1/. To view the shortcuts on macOS devices, press Command\$1/.
+ The web app does not support undocking video, and you can't message an attendee directly from the meeting roster. The app doesn't support a floating control bar, selected content being shared is not highlighted, and some settings are not available. For example, you can't mirror your video self view or choose to show your self view uncropped, you cannot prevent keyboard focus for incoming calls, you cannot suppress notifications during screen share, and the app doesn't provide a top level menu.
+ The desktop client and web app have slightly different user screens. We note any differences in the following topics. Expand them to learn more.
**Note**
These topics only introduce the desktop client and web app. For information about the Amazon Chime mobile app, see [Using the Amazon Chime mobile app](chime-mobile-app.md), later in this guide.
## The Main window
When you start either of the Amazon Chime clients, you see the Home section of the Main window. This image shows the window in the desktop client.
![\[The Amazon Chime Home window.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/full-home-screen-condensed.png)
Starting from the upper-left corner, the Home window displays the following items:
**Menu bar (desktop client only)**
Use these menu options to change program settings, edit text, change the size of the Amazon Chime program window, and get help.
![\[A set of menus named File, Edit, View, Window, and Help.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/menu-bar.png)
**Your name and status**
Both clients display your name, along with an icon that shows your status, such as **Available** or **Busy**. You can also add a custom status message.
In either client, choose your name to open the following menu:
![\[Enter a custom status, view your chat rooms, messages, and contacts, change settings, start the help, send diagnostic logs, and sign out of Amazon Chime.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/default-profile-menu.png)
The following list describes the menu commands:
+ **Automatic ** – (default setting) Choose the command to set your availability status. The text in the menu matches your choice.
+ **Add a custom status message** – Create a custom status message with an optional emoji.
+ **View all my chat rooms** – Lists all the chat rooms that you belong to.
+ **View all messages** – Lists all the messages that you've sent and received. Data retention policies may control how many messages you see.
+ **View my contacts** – Opens your **Contacts** list.
+ **Settings** – Opens the **Settings** window, where you change global program settings.
+ **Help Center** – Takes you to the Amazon Chime Help Center.
+ **Send diagnostic logs** – If something goes wrong with Amazon Chime you can send diagnostic logs that help troubleshoot the problem. A reference ID is created and you can send that to your administrator when you are troubleshooting a problem.
+ **About Amazon Chime** – Displays the client's version and build number. Support technicians often ask for that information.
+ **Sign out** – Signs you out of Amazon Chime
**The navigation bar (desktop client only)**
The navigation bar in the desktop client provides icons for returning to Home, opening your contacts list, creating a 1:1 or group message, opening your list of chat rooms, joining a meeting, starting an instant meeting, scheduling a meeting, and seeing your meeting bridge information.
![\[A set of icons labeled Home, Contacts, Message, Rooms, and Meetings.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/5-navigation-bar-highlight.png)
![\[A home icon.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/home-icon-web.png)
**The sidebar**
Both clients display the left navigation on the Main window. The sidebar lists your call history, chat rooms, favorites, and the people you've messaged recently.
![\[A pane that lists call history, chat room, and several obscured names.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/sidebar.png)
**Quick actions links**
These links provide the same functionality as the navigation bar in the desktop client. The desktop client displays these links in the Main window. The web app displays these links all the time.
![\[A set of links under the heading Quick actions.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/quick-actions.png)
## The chat window
You use the chat window to chat with other Amazon Chime users. In the desktop client, the window appears when you do any of the following:
+ Select **Messages** on the navigation bar.
+ Select **Message a contact** next to the **Recent Messages** header.
+ Select a 1:1 message or group conversation under **Favorites** or **Recent Messages** in the sidebar.
In the web app, the window appears when you do any of the following:
+ Select a 1:1 message or group chat under **Favorites** or **Recent Messages** in the sidebar.
+ Select the plus sign (**\$1**) next to the **Recent Messages** header.
+ select **Start a new message** under **Quick actions**.
For more information about using chat, see [Collaborating using Amazon Chime chat](chime-using-chat.md), later in this guide.
## The meetings window
The meetings window appears when you join a meeting, answer a call, or start an instant meeting. When you and other attendees turn on webcams, those feeds appear in a set of *video tiles*. Meetings can display up to 25 tiles, and they appear on a first come, first served basis.
Amazon Chime also makes some content, such as screen shares, more prominent during meetings. We refer to that content as *featured content*. As needed, you can promote two video tiles to featured status, and demote any tile from featured status. What's more, you can hide attendee video tiles that you don't want to see, and display attendee video tiles above or below the featured content. For more information about using video, tiles, and sharing your screen during meetings, see [Using video during meetings](use-video.md).
These topics explain how to use the meetings window, and how to participate in meetings and calls.
+ [Joining scheduled meetings](join-scheduled-meetings.md)
+ [Participating in meetings](participate-meetings.md)
+ [Starting instant meetings and calls](start-call.md)
# 5. (Optional) Set a personalized meeting link
If you have Amazon Chime Pro permissions, you can create a personalized meeting link that generates a friendly name for meetings that you host. You can do this in the desktop client and web app.
**To set a personalized link in the desktop client**
1. On the navigation bar, choose **Meetings** (![\[The Meetings icon.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/icon-meetings.png)), then choose **My meeting bridge information**.
1. Choose **Create your personalized ID**.
1. In the message that appears, review the information, then choose **Acknowledge and continue**.
1. In the **Create your personalized ID** dialog box, enter the name of your personalized link. Enter a name between 12-35 characters long.
1. Choose **Save**, then **OK**, then **Done**.
**To create a personalized link in the web app**
1. In the sidebar, open the ellipsis menu next to **Meetings and calls**.
1. Choose **My meeting bridge information**.
1. Choose **Create your personalized ID**.
1. In the message that appears, review the information, then choose **Acknowledge and continue**.
1. In the **Create your personalized ID** dialog box, enter the name of your personalized link. Enter a name between 12-35 characters long.
1. Choose **Save**, then **OK**, then **Done**.
**To change a personalized link**
1. Follow steps 1 and 2 in either of the previous procedures to display your meeting bridge information.
1. Choose the **Edit or delete personalized ID** icon (![\[An icon showing a pen.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/edit-id-icon.png)).
1. In the message that appears, review the information, then choose **Acknowledge and continue**.
1. Enter the new name for your link. Enter a name between 12-35 characters long.
1. Choose **Save**, then **OK**, then **Done**.
**To delete a personalized link**
1. Follow steps 1 and 2 in either of the previous procedures to display your meeting bridge information.
1. Choose the **Edit or delete personalized ID** icon (![\[An icon showing a pen.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/edit-id-icon.png)).
1. In the message that appears, review the information, then choose **Acknowledge and continue**.
1. In the **Edit your personalized ID** dialog box, choose **Delete**.
1. In the **Delete your personalized ID** dialog box, choose **Delete**.
1. Choose **OK**, then **Done**.
# 6. Add contacts
When you add contacts, you're adding other registered Amazon Chime users. You can invite colleagues from outside of your company account, but they must have their own Amazon Chime accounts, or they must create them.
Typically, you keep your contact list manageable by adding just the colleagues that you interact with the most.
The following steps explain how to use the desktop client and web app to add contacts.
**To add contacts in the desktop client**
1. On the navigation bar, choose **Contacts**(![\[An icon showing a person.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/chime/latest/ug/images/icon-contacts.png) ).
1. In the **Contacts** dialog box, search for the contact by name, email alias, email address, or phone number.
**Note**
If your search doesn't return a contact, and you know the contact's email address, you can send the contact an email invitation. The last set of steps in this section explains how.
1. Select the contact, then choose **Done**.
**To add contacts in the web app**
1. Under **Quick actions**, choose **View my contacts**.
1. In the **Contacts** dialog box, search for the contact by name, email alias, email address, or phone number.
**Note**
If your search doesn't return a contact, and you know the contact's email address, you can send the contact an email invitation. The last set of steps in this section explains how.
1. Select the contact, then choose **Done**.
You can use the desktop client or web app to add contacts from your call history.
**To add a contact from your call history**
1. In the navigation pane, under **Meetings and Calls**, choose **Call history**.
1. Choose the **Incoming**, **Missed**, or **Outgoing** tabs.
Amazon Chime lists calls in chronological order. Each listing includes the name of the contact who called you, or who you called.
1. Open the ellipsis menu to the right of the call listing, then choose **Add to my contacts**.
**To invite a contact**
1. Repeat step 1 in either of the first two previous procedures.
1. Choose the **Invite contact** link.
1. In the **Invite contact** dialog box, enter the contact's email address, then choose **Invite.**
Amazon Chime adds the contact to your list and sends the contact an invitation email.
# 7. Learn how to schedule meetings
You can schedule meetings if you have Amazon Chime Pro permissions. Amazon Chime provides several ways to schedule meetings. For example, you can use the Outlook Add-In or a calendar app. For more information, see [Scheduling meetings using Amazon Chime](chime-schedule-meetings.md).