Private Channels in HighLevel Communities let you host members‑only discussions, while channel emojis make channels easy to recognize. This guide covers what they are, key benefits, and concise steps to create, convert, manage members, and set emojis—including how to convert a private channel back to public.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is Private Channels and Channel Emojis?
• Key Benefits of Private Channels and Channel Emojis
• How to Create a Private Channel
• How to Convert a Public Channel to Private
• How to Convert a Private Channel Back to Public
• How to Add or Remove Members in a Private Channel
• How to Set or Change a Channel Emoji or Icon  
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Articles

What is Private Channels and Channel Emojis?

Private Channels restrict visibility and participation to approved members, helping you run gated cohorts or premium groups. Channel emojis add a small visual identifier that appears beside the channel name in lists and headers to improve recognition. These features are available on both mobile and Web version, enhances privacy and customization options for your community.

Key Benefits of Private Channels and Channel Emojis

• Member control: Approve exactly who can view and post in a channel.
  
  

• Focused conversations: Keep sensitive or paid content separated from public chatter.
  
  

• Flexible privacy: Convert channels between public and private as needs change.
  
  

• Faster scanning: Emoji (bold): improves channel recognition in lists and notifications.

How to Create a Private Channel

Start a new channel as private when you need restricted access from the outset.

Important Note:

1. The group owner and channel creator are automatically added as channel managers.
2. A channel manager acts as an admin for that specific channel. Group roles like owner and group admin do not have significance within a private channel.
3. The group owner cannot leave a private channel.
4. Private channels will not be visible in the channel list to users who are not part of them.

1. Click on Memberships from your sub-account.
   
   

2. Go to Communities.
   
   

3. Click on Groups from the dropdown.
   
   
   
   

4. Open/Login to your Group.
   
   
   
   

5. Click + Add Channel button.
   
   
   
   

6. Enter the Channel Name. Optionally add channel description and choose channel icon.
   
   

7. Toggle Make this Channel Private option to ON.
   
   

8. Click Create Channel.
   
   

How to Convert a Public Channel to Private

Switch an existing public channel to private to limit future visibility and participation.

Note: Non‑members will no longer see the channel in the list after conversion.

1. Click on the channel to open it.
   
   

2. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
   
   

3. Open the Settings tab.
   
   

4. Click Make Channel Private.
   
   

5. Read the acknowledgement popup and click on Confirm.

How to Convert a Private Channel Back to Public

Re‑open access if you want anyone in the group to discover and join the channel.

Important: After conversion, the channel is visible to all group members. Existing post history remains in the channel.

1. Open the channel.
   
   

2. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
   
   

3. Open the Settings tab.
   
   

4. Click Make Channel Public.
   
   

5. Read the acknowledgement popup and click on Confirm.

How to Add or Remove Members in a Private Channel

Control who can access a private channel by adding or removing members at any time.

1. Open the channel.
   
   
2. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
   
   
3. Open Members tab.
   
   

4. Add Members: search and add users.
   
   

5. Remove Members: locate the user > click the three dots beside the name > Remove from Channel.

How to Set or Change a Channel Emoji or Icon  

Assign an emoji so members can quickly identify the channel in lists and notifications.

1. Open the channel.
   
   

2. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
   
   

3. Click on the Edit button beside Channel Name.
   
   

4. Click on the Channel Icon option and choose between an Emoji or Icon of your choice.
   
   

5. Click Save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can see a private channel exists?
Only approved members and users with sufficient permissions for that channel.

Q: What happens to past posts if I make a private channel public?
The channel becomes discoverable and its existing content is visible to all group members.

Q: Should I revoke access via workflow or make the channel public?
Use workflows to manage member‑level access. Make the channel public when the entire channel should be open to the group.

Q: Who can change a channel’s emoji?
The channel owner or a user with channel‑level manage permissions.

Related Articles

• How to Setup, Customize, and Manage Your Communities 
  
  

• Communities: Announcement Channel and Notification 
  
  

• Workflow Trigger & Action – Grant/Revoke Private Channel Access 
  
  

• Communities: Private Channel‑Based Course Access 
  
  

• Communities – How to Manage Members Inside Groups 
  
  

• Content Management in Communities