> ## 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.

# Threaded Messages

Implement threaded replies in your Android chat app using CometChat’s UI Kit, enabling users to reply to specific messages in a focused sub-conversation.

## Overview

Threaded replies allow users to respond directly to a specific message in one-on-one or group chats, improving context and readability:

* Organizes related replies into a dedicated thread view.
* Mirrors functionality in Slack, Discord, and WhatsApp.
* Maintains clarity in active conversations.

Users tap a message → open thread screen → view parent message + replies → compose within thread.

## Prerequisites

* Android project in Android Studio.
* CometChat Android UI Kit v5 added to your `build.gradle`.
* Valid CometChat **App ID**, **Auth Key**, and **Region** initialized.
* `<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>` in `AndroidManifest.xml`.
* Logged-in user via `CometChat.login()`.
* Existing `MessagesActivity` using `CometChatMessageList`.

## Components

| Component                     | Role                                                        |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `activity_thread_message.xml` | Defines thread UI: header, message list, composer, unblock. |
| `ThreadMessageActivity`       | Hosts thread screen; initializes UI & ViewModel.            |
| `ThreadMessageViewModel`      | Fetches parent message & thread replies; manages state.     |
| `CometChatMessageList`        | Displays threaded replies when given parent message ID.     |
| `CometChatMessageComposer`    | Composes and sends replies with `parentMessageId`.          |
| `CometChatMessageOption`      | Defines “Message Privately” in message context menus.       |
| `UserDetailActivity`          | Handles blocked-user UI; hides composer & shows unblock.    |

## Integration Steps

### Step 1: Add Thread Layout

Create `res/layout/activity_thread_message.xml`:

```xml theme={null}
<LinearLayout ...>
  <com.cometchat.ui_kits.ThreadHeaderView
    android:id="@+id/threadHeader"
    ... />
  <com.cometchat.ui_kits.CometChatMessageList
    android:id="@+id/threadMessageList"
    ... />
  <com.cometchat.ui_kits.CometChatMessageComposer
    android:id="@+id/threadComposer"
    ... />
  <View
    android:id="@+id/unblockLayout"
    ... />
</LinearLayout>
```

**File reference:**\
[`activity_thread_message.xml`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/app/src/main/res/layout/activity_thread_message.xml)

### Step 2: Set up ThreadMessageActivity

Initialize UI & handle blocked-user flows:

```java theme={null}
public class ThreadMessageActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_thread_message);
    ThreadHeaderView header = findViewById(R.id.threadHeader);
    CometChatMessageList messageList = findViewById(R.id.threadMessageList);
    CometChatMessageComposer composer = findViewById(R.id.threadComposer);
    View unblock = findViewById(R.id.unblockLayout);

    String messageId = getIntent().getStringExtra("message_id");
    viewModel = new ViewModelProvider(this).get(ThreadMessageViewModel.class);
    viewModel.fetchParentMessage(messageId);
    viewModel.getParentMessage().observe(this, msg -> header.setMessage(msg));
    messageList.setParentMessage(messageId);
    composer.setParentMessageId(messageId);

    // Handle blocked user
    if (viewModel.isBlocked()) {
      composer.setVisibility(View.GONE);
      unblock.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
    }
  }
}
```

**File reference:**\
[`ThreadMessageActivity.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/app/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/threads/ThreadMessageActivity.java)

### Step 3: Create ThreadMessageViewModel

Fetch parent message and expose LiveData:

```java theme={null}
public class ThreadMessageViewModel extends ViewModel {
  private MutableLiveData<BaseMessage> parentMessage = new MutableLiveData<>();

  public void fetchParentMessage(String id) {
    CometChat.getMessage(id, new CometChat.CallbackListener<BaseMessage>() {
      @Override
      public void onSuccess(BaseMessage msg) {
        parentMessage.postValue(msg);
      }
      @Override public void onError(CometChatException e) {}
    });
  }

  public LiveData<BaseMessage> getParentMessage() {
    return parentMessage;
  }
}
```

**File reference:**\
[`ThreadMessageViewModel.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/java/viewmodels/ThreadMessageViewModel.java)

### Step 4: Hook Thread Entry from Message List

In `MessagesActivity.java`, capture thread icon taps:

```java theme={null}
messageList.setOnThreadRepliesClick((context, baseMessage, template) -> {
  Intent intent = new Intent(context, ThreadMessageActivity.class);
  intent.putExtra("message_id", baseMessage.getId());
  context.startActivity(intent);
});
```

**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)

## Implementation Flow

1. User taps thread icon on a message.
2. `Intent` launches `ThreadMessageActivity` with `message_id`.
3. ViewModel fetches parent message details.
4. Header & `MessageList` render parent + replies.
5. Composer sends new replies under the parent message.
6. Live updates flow automatically via UI Kit.

## Customization Options

* **Styling:** Override theme attributes or call setter methods on views.
* **Header Height:** `threadHeader.setMaxHeight(...)`.
* **Hide Reactions:** `threadHeader.setReactionVisibility(View.GONE)`.

## Filtering & Edge Cases

* **Group Membership:** Verify membership before enabling composer.
* **Empty Thread:** Show placeholder if no replies.
* **Blocked Users:** Composer hidden; use unblock layout.

## Blocked-User Handling

In `UserDetailActivity`, detect and toggle UI:

```java theme={null}
if (user.isBlockedByMe()) {
  composer.setVisibility(View.GONE);
  unblockLayout.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
}
```

**File reference:**\
[`UserDetailActivity.java`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/blob/v5/sample-app-java/src/main/java/com/cometchat/sampleapp/java/ui/activity/UserDetailsActivity.java)

## Group vs. User-Level Differences

| Scenario             | Behavior                                |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `ReceiverType.USER`  | Direct replies allowed if not blocked.  |
| `ReceiverType.GROUP` | Checks membership before thread access. |
| Blocked User         | Composer hidden; unblock layout shown.  |
| Not in Group         | Show option to join group first.        |

## Summary / Feature Matrix

| Feature                 | Component / Method                                 |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Show thread option      | `setOnThreadRepliesClick()`                        |
| Display thread messages | `messageList.setParentMessage(messageId)`          |
| Show parent message     | `header.setMessage(parentMessage)`                 |
| Compose reply           | `composer.setParentMessageId(messageId)`           |
| Handle blocked users    | `isBlockedByMe()`, hide composer + show unblock UI |

## Next Steps & Further Reading

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Android Sample App (Java)">
    Explore this feature in the CometChat SampleApp:
    [GitHub → SampleApp](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v5/sample-app-java)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Android Sample App (Kotlin)">
    Explore this feature in the CometChat SampleApp:
    [GitHub → SampleApp](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v5/sample-app-kotlin)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>