How to use Upwork Messages

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What can I do in Upwork Messages?

Upwork Messages is your space to connect, collaborate, and communicate — whether you're sharing files, having a video call, or just chatting. You can use it on desktop, mobile web, or the Upwork mobile app. Upwork Messages makes it easy to:

Chat with clients or freelancers
Make voice or video calls
Record and send Loom videos
Share files and links
Add personal notes visible only to you

Note: You can only exchange contact or payment info once a contract is in place — and only within that contract’s message room. Sharing contact information before a contract is in place is against our Terms of Service and can lead to a permanent suspension of your Upwork account.

How do I start or manage a conversation in Upwork Messages?

A conversation room is automatically created when someone sends you a message. You can also start a new room by selecting the three-dot menu (…) in Messages. You can then favorite, hide, or archive certain conversations, depending on the type.

Can I add other people to a conversation?

Yes. You can add team members to interview rooms, contract-related chats, or manually created conversations. Once added, they’ll be able to see the full message history. You can’t add people to 1:1 conversations between a client and freelancer.

How do I search for a past conversation in Upwork Messages?

Use the search bar at the top of your Messages list to find names, keywords, or past conversations. To mark a conversation as a favorite, click the star icon or select “Add to favorites” from the menu.

How do I change my notification settings for Upwork Messages?

Select the three-dot menu (…) in Messages, then choose “Message settings.” You can adjust how often you receive notifications or turn them off completely. To manage other notifications like job alerts, visit your Notification settings.

How do I reply, edit, or delete a message?

To reply: Hover over a message and click the arrow icon
To edit: Hover and click the pencil icon (available for 1 hour after sending)
To delete: Hover > select the (…) menu > Delete (also available for 1 hour)

Important: Deleted messages will display a note confirming they were removed. After one hour, messages cannot be edited or deleted.

How do I attach and manage files in Upwork Messages?

Click the paperclip icon in the message box to attach files (up to 1 GB) or add a link from Dropbox.

To view files, open the right-side panel (ⓘ icon) and select “Files and links.” You can search by file name, preview image files, or download them.

To delete a file, you must delete the message it was sent with within one hour, and only on desktop or mobile web.

How do I report a suspicious message or block someone on Upwork Messages?

To report a message: Hover over or long-press a message, then select the (…) menu and choose “Report Message.” Follow the prompts to describe what happened.

You should report messages that:
- Ask for payment outside of Upwork
- Request contact info before a contract is in place
- Include suspicious links or abusive language
To block someone: Open the conversation, click their profile in the right panel, and select “Block.” Blocked users can’t send direct messages but may still appear in shared group rooms.

Why can’t I message a freelancer or client?

It may be because:

You or the other user has blocked the conversation
You’re trying to share contact details outside a contract room
You’ve hit the daily limit for starting new conversations

How do I archive or hide conversations in Upwork Messages?

Click the three-dot menu (…) on a group conversation and choose “Archive.” Only group chats can be archived, and this feature is available only on desktop or mobile web. One-on-one or interview conversations can be hidden, but not archived.

How do I set an out-of-office message in Upwork Messages?

Select the three-dot menu (…) in the Messages sidebar, then choose “Out of office.” You can set your message and your away dates there.

How do I update my status visibility in Upwork Messages?

Click your profile photo in the top right and toggle your “Online for messages” status on or off. A green dot will show others when you’re available.