> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-feature-react-native-sdk-quotedmessage-a.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # New Chat Enable users to start one-on-one or group chats by integrating CometChat’s **New Chat** screen (`CometChatUsers` + `CometChatGroups`), providing a seamless flow from your conversation list to a specific chat. ## Overview Users can tap the “+” icon in the conversation toolbar or bottom navigation to: * Browse and search CometChat users. * Browse and search CometChat groups. * Select a user or group to launch a chat. This streamlines contact/group discovery and boosts engagement by reducing friction in starting conversations. ## Prerequisites * Android project with **CometChat UIKit Android v5** added in `build.gradle`. * CometChat credentials (**App ID**, **Auth Key**, **Region**) initialized. * Navigation configured: `ConversationActivity` → `NewChatActivity` → `MessagesActivity`. * Internet and network permissions granted in `AndroidManifest.xml`. ## Components | Component / Class | Role | | :---------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------- | | `ConversationActivity` | Entry point; hosts “+” icon to launch New Chat screen. | | `NewChatActivity` | Displays tabbed Users/Groups lists. | | `activity_new_chat.xml` | Layout defining `TabLayout`, `CometChatUsers`, `CometChatGroups`. | | `CometChatUsers` | Lists and searches users; exposes `setOnItemClick()`. | | `CometChatGroups` | Lists and searches groups; exposes `setOnItemClick()`. | | `UsersRequestBuilder` | Configures user query filters (e.g. pagination). | | `GroupsRequestBuilder` | Configures group query filters (e.g. pagination). | | `MessagesActivity` | Chat UI for the selected user or group. | | `activity_messages.xml` | Layout for the chat header, message list, and composer. | ## Integration Steps ### 1. Add Entry Point to New Chat Show a “+” icon that launches `NewChatActivity`. ```java theme={null} // In ConversationActivity.java toolbar.inflateMenu(R.menu.conversation_menu); toolbar.setOnMenuItemClickListener(item -> { if (item.getItemId() == R.id.action_new_chat) { startActivity(new Intent(this, NewChatActivity.class)); return true; } return false; }); ``` Provides entry to the New Chat flow. ### 2. Implement New Chat Screen Build a tabbed interface with Users and Groups lists. ```java theme={null} // In NewChatActivity.java @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_new_chat); TabLayout tabs = findViewById(R.id.tabLayout); ViewPager2 pager = findViewById(R.id.viewPager); NewChatPagerAdapter adapter = new NewChatPagerAdapter(this); pager.setAdapter(adapter); new TabLayoutMediator(tabs, pager, (tab, pos) -> tab.setText(pos == 0 ? "Users" : "Groups") ).attach(); } ``` **File reference:**\ [`NewChatActivity.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/java/ui/activity/NewChatActivity.java) **Layout reference:**\ [`activity_new_chat.xml`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/res/layout/activity_new_chat.xml) Initializes tabs and loads `CometChatUsers` / `CometChatGroups` fragments. ### 3. Handle User or Group Selection Launch `MessagesActivity` when an item is tapped. ```java theme={null} // In NewChatActivity.java (Users fragment) cometChatUsers.setOnItemClick((user, clickListener) -> { Intent i = new Intent(this, MessagesActivity.class); i.putExtra("app_user", new Gson().toJson(user)); startActivity(i); }); // Similarly for CometChatGroups: cometChatGroups.setOnItemClick((group, clickListener) -> { Intent i = new Intent(this, MessagesActivity.class); i.putExtra("app_group", new Gson().toJson(group)); startActivity(i); }); ``` **File reference:**\ [`NewChatActivity.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/java/ui/activity/NewChatActivity.java) Routes selection to the chat interface with proper context. ### 4. Open the Messages Screen Read intent extras and configure chat UI. ```java theme={null} // In MessagesActivity.java @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_messages); String userJson = getIntent().getStringExtra("app_user"); String groupJson = getIntent().getStringExtra("app_group"); if (userJson != null) { User user = new Gson().fromJson(userJson, User.class); messageHeader.setUser(user); messageList.setUser(user); composer.setUser(user); } else if (groupJson != null) { Group group = new Gson().fromJson(groupJson, Group.class); messageHeader.setGroup(group); messageList.setGroup(group); composer.setGroup(group); } } ``` **File reference:**\ [`MessagesActivity.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/java/ui/activity/MessagesActivity.java) **Layout reference:**\ [`activity_messages.xml`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/res/layout/activity_messages.xml) Binds the selected conversation context to the UI Kit components. ## Implementation Flow 1. User taps the “+” icon → `NewChatActivity` launches. 2. Tabs switch between **Users** and **Groups**. 3. Selection triggers `MessagesActivity` with JSON payload. 4. Chat UI initializes with the passed user/group. 5. Real-time messaging begins via the UI Kit. ## Customization Options * **Styling:** Apply `cometchatTheme` attributes to `TabLayout` and list items. * **Filtering:** Customize `UsersRequestBuilder` / `GroupsRequestBuilder` (e.g., `hideBlockedUsers(true)`). * **Navigation:** Replace default `MessagesActivity` with a custom screen. * **Layout Tweaks:** Use `android:fitsSystemWindows="true"` to avoid overlap. ## Filtering & Edge Cases * **Empty States:** Built-in empty views in `CometChatUsers` and `CometChatGroups`. * **Protected Groups:** Prompt for password or disable selection. * **Network Errors:** Observe error callbacks and show `Snackbar` messages. ## Error Handling * Default loading and error states are handled by the UI Kit. * Attach observers on `CometChatUsers` / `CometChatGroups` to handle failures. * Use Toast or Snackbar for custom error feedback. ## Summary / Feature Matrix | Feature | Component / Method | File(s) | | :--------------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------- | | Launch New Chat screen | Menu item click in `ConversationActivity` | `ConversationActivity.java` | | Tabbed lists | `TabLayout` + `ViewPager2` | `activity_new_chat.xml` | | List/search users | `CometChatUsers` + `UsersRequestBuilder` | `activity_new_chat.xml` | | List/search groups | `CometChatGroups` + `GroupsRequestBuilder` | `activity_new_chat.xml` | | Selection handling | `setOnItemClick()` | `NewChatActivity.java` | | Initialize chat | `messageHeader`, `messageList`, `composer` | `MessagesActivity.java`, `activity_messages.xml` | ## Next Steps & Further Reading Explore this feature in the CometChat SampleApp: [GitHub → SampleApp](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v5/sample-app-java) Explore this feature in the CometChat SampleApp: [GitHub → SampleApp](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v5/sample-app-kotlin)