> ## 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.

# Message a User Privately from a Group Chat

Learn how to initiate a private one-on-one chat with a group member directly from a group chat screen.

## Overview

This feature allows users to start a private, direct chat with a member of a group without leaving the group chat context. It enables seamless, context-aware private conversations, improving collaboration and user experience. Users can tap on a group member to instantly open a private chat.

## Prerequisites

* A Flutter project with **CometChat UIKit Flutter v5** installed
* CometChat credentials (`appID`, `region`, `authKey`) initialized
* Group chat and user info screens implemented
* Navigation setup for moving between group and private chat screens

## Components

| Component / Class                        | Role                                                    |
| :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------ |
| `CometChatMessageList`                   | Displays group messages and user avatars                |
| `CometChatUserInfo`                      | Shows user details and actions (e.g., "Message" button) |
| `PageManager`                            | Handles navigation to the private chat screen           |
| `lib/messages.dart`                      | Main chat screen logic                                  |
| `lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart` | User info and action UI                                 |

## Integration Steps

### Add User Info/Action in Group Chat

Allow users to view group member info and provide a "Message" action.

```dart theme={null}
IconButton(
  icon: Icon(Icons.info_outline),
  onPressed: () {
    Navigator.push(
      context,
      MaterialPageRoute(
        builder: (context) => CometChatUserInfo(user: user),
      ),
    );
  },
);
```

**File reference:**\
[`lib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/blob/v5/sample_app/lib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart)

### Handle Private Message Navigation

Start a private chat with the selected user.

```dart theme={null}
ElevatedButton(
  onPressed: () {
    PageManager().navigateToMessages(
      context: context,
      user: user,
    );
  },
  child: Text('Message'),
);
```

**File reference:**\
[`lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/blob/v5/sample_app/lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart)

## Implementation Flow

1. User taps a group member’s avatar or info icon
2. `CometChatUserInfo` screen opens
3. User taps "Message"
4. App navigates to the private chat screen with that user

## Customization Options

* **Styling:** Customize the user info screen and action buttons using UIKit theming
* **APIs:** Add more actions (e.g., block, view profile) in the user info screen
* **Configuration:** Control which users can be messaged (e.g., block list, admin-only)

## Filtering / Edge Cases

* **Exclude Blocked Users:** Remove blocked users from selection
* **Existing Conversation:** Navigate to an existing private chat if one exists
* **User Blocked:** Disable the "Message" button if the user is blocked

## Error Handling & Blocked-User-Handling

* **UI States:** Disable the message button and show a tooltip if a user is blocked
* **Feedback:** Use `SnackBar` or `Toast` for error messages (e.g., "Cannot message this user")
* **Retry Logic:** Allow retrying navigation if a network error occurs

## Optional Context-Specific Notes

* **Group vs. User:** This flow applies only to group members; use the standard new chat flow for users outside the group

## Summary / Feature Matrix

| Feature           | Component / Method               | File(s)                                                                                                                                                        |
| :---------------- | :------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Show user info    | `CometChatUserInfo`              | [`lib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/blob/v5/sample_app/lib/group_info/cometchat_group_info.dart) |
| Message user      | `PageManager.navigateToMessages` | [`lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/blob/v5/sample_app/lib/user_info/cometchat_user_info.dart)     |
| Access from group | Avatar/IconButton                | [`lib/messages.dart`](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/blob/v5/sample_app/lib/messages/messages.dart)                                      |

## Next Steps & Further Reading

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Flutter Sample App">
    Fully functional sample applications to accelerate your development.

    [View on GitHub](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/tree/v5/sample_app)
  </Card>

  <Card title="UI Kit Source Code">
    Access the complete UI Kit source code on GitHub.

    [View on GitHub](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-flutter/tree/v5/chat_uikit)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>