Discord has grown into the most popular communication platform for gamers worldwide. With millions of daily users, Discord offers a combination of text chat, voice chat and video calls that fits the needs of the gaming community perfectly. In this guide you'll learn everything about installing and using Discord.

What exactly is Discord?

Discord is a free communication app designed for gamers, but these days it's used by all kinds of communities. It combines the best elements of chat programs, forums and voice chat in one platform. You can talk privately with friends or join large servers with thousands of members who share the same interests.

The platform stands out for its low-latency voice chat, which is essential while gaming. It also offers screen sharing, video chat, bots for automation and extensive moderation tools for server admins.

Downloading and installing Discord

Discord is available for almost every device. Here's how to install it:

On Windows and Mac

Go to discord.com and click "Download for Windows" or "Download for Mac". Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions. Discord opens automatically after installation and updates itself when new versions are available.

On smartphone and tablet

Download the Discord app from the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android. The mobile app offers nearly all the features of the desktop version, including voice chat and video calls.

In the browser

You can also use Discord directly in your web browser without downloading anything. Go to discord.com and click "Open Discord in your browser". This is handy if you're temporarily on a different computer.

Creating a Discord account

Creating an account is quick and easy:

Registration steps

Open Discord and click "Register". Enter your email address, a username, a password and your date of birth. Your username automatically gets a unique number added (for example Gamer#1234), so your name doesn't have to be unique. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the confirmation email.

Personalizing your profile

Click the gear icon at the bottom left to go to settings. Under "My Account" you can upload a profile picture and change your display name. You can also set a status to let friends know what you're doing.

Adding friends on Discord

There are several ways to add friends:

By username

Click the Discord logo at the top left and then "Add Friend". Enter the full username, including the number (for example Gamer#1234). This is case-sensitive, so pay close attention to the spelling.

Through servers

When you come across someone on a server, click their profile picture and select "Add Friend". The other person has to accept your request before you become friends.

By QR code

In the mobile app you can scan another user's QR code to add them quickly. This is handy when you're sitting next to someone.

Servers: the core of Discord

Servers are communities on Discord where people with shared interests come together. Each server can have multiple text and voice channels.

Joining a server

You can join a server through an invite link. These links look like discord.gg/servername. Click the plus icon on the left in Discord and select "Join a Server" to enter a link. Many games and communities share their Discord links on social media or their websites.

Creating your own server

Click the plus icon and select "Create My Own". Choose a name and optionally an icon for your server. You can choose from templates for gaming, friends or communities. After creating it, you can add channels, set up roles and invite friends.

Server navigation

On the left you see all the channels in a server. Text channels are marked with a hashtag (#) and voice channels with a speaker icon. Click a text channel to open the chat, or click a voice channel to join a conversation.

Using voice chat

Voice chat is where Discord really shines. Here's how it works:

Joining voice chat

Click a voice channel to join. You'll see yourself appear in the channel and can start talking right away. Check that your microphone is set up correctly under Settings, Voice & Video.

Push to Talk vs Voice Activity

With Voice Activity, Discord automatically detects when you're talking. With Push to Talk you have to hold down a key to talk. Voice Activity works fine in quiet environments, but in noisy situations Push to Talk is recommended.

Adjusting sound settings

In the settings under Voice & Video you can select your input and output device, adjust volumes and turn on noise suppression. Use the mic test to check that everything works correctly.

Useful Discord features

Discord is packed with features that make communication easier:

Screen sharing

Share your screen with friends or in a voice channel. Click the screen icon at the bottom when you're in voice chat. You can share your entire screen or select a specific application.

Direct Messages

Send private messages to friends by clicking their name and selecting "Message". You can also create group DMs with multiple friends for private conversations outside of servers.

Reactions and emoji

React to messages with emoji by hovering over them and clicking the smiley icon. Servers can have their own custom emoji, which you can use anywhere on Discord with Discord Nitro.

Bots and integrations

Servers can add bots for music, moderation, games and more. Popular bots are Groovy for music, MEE6 for moderation and Dank Memer for entertainment. Only server admins can add bots.

Privacy and safety on Discord

It's important to stay safe online. Discord offers several privacy options:

Go to Settings, Privacy & Safety to control who can send you messages and who can add you. Turn on "Safe Direct Messaging" to automatically scan suspicious messages. Report unwanted behavior by right-clicking a message or user and selecting "Report".

Discord Nitro

Discord Nitro is the premium subscription that offers extra features such as higher upload limits, better video quality, animated emoji and profile customization. You don't need it for normal use, but it's nice for power users who use Discord a lot.

Conclusion

Discord has become an indispensable tool for gamers and online communities. With its combination of text chat, voice communication and community features, it offers everything you need to stay in touch with friends while gaming. Download Discord today and discover why it has become so popular.

Frequently asked questions

Is Discord free to use?

Yes, Discord is completely free for all basic features, including voice chat, text chat, video calls and screen sharing. Discord Nitro is an optional paid subscription with extra features.

How much data does Discord voice chat use?

Discord voice chat uses about 28 to 40 kbps, which works out to about 12 to 17 MB per hour. That's relatively little compared with other voice chat applications.

Can I use Discord without an account?

You can use Discord in a limited way as a guest, but for most features, such as adding friends and joining servers, you need a free account. Creating one takes just a minute.

How do I block someone on Discord?

Right-click the person you want to block and select 'Block'. Blocked users can no longer send you messages and you no longer see their messages in servers.

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