Tracking down text messages, phone calls, and emails is a headache and can put your projects at risk. Raken Messaging keeps all your project and company communication in one searchable place—so nothing slips through the cracks.
Quick Answer
To start a message channel in Raken:
Log into the Raken web app.
Click Messages in the left side menu.
Click the + button to create a new channel.
Select team members and start messaging. Messaging is available to team members only — Workers and Project Workers cannot be added to a channel or receive messages.
How to Use Messaging on the Web
Step 1: Create a Message Channel
Log into the Raken web app.
Click Messages in the left side menu.
Click the + button on the left side of the page to create a new channel.
Select the team members to add to the channel.
Add your whole company for topics like announcements, scheduling, or safety — this means all team members, not every person in your Directory (see note below).
Or add specific team members for channels organized by crew, trade, or project.
Send messages, photos, and files. Use the Search tool to find and recall past conversations.
Note: Messaging is only available to team members (Account Administrator, Project Administrator, Project Member, and View Only roles). Workers do not have an app login and cannot receive messages. Project Workers have a restricted mobile view limited to My Time and Schedule, and do not have access to Messaging. If you need to reach these team members, use a method they do have access to, such as a group text or the Clock-in Questions feature.
How to Use Messaging on Mobile
Step 1: Access Messages on Mobile
Open the Raken mobile app.
Tap More in the bottom navigation bar.
Tap Messages.
From mobile you can:
Receive and respond to messages
Get push notifications for new messages
Create new channels or send direct 1:1 messages
Add new team members to an existing channel
Step 2: Enable Notifications on iOS
Tap Settings on your Home Screen.
Scroll to find and tap Raken.
Tap Notifications.
Toggle Allow Notifications on.
Step 3: Enable Notifications on Android
No setup required. Notifications are enabled by default on Android devices.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Can I search past conversations?
Yes. Use the Search tool in the Messages section to find any previous conversation by keyword.
Can I send photos and files through Messaging?
Yes. Once inside a message channel, you can attach photos and files in addition to text messages.
Who can create message channels?
Any team member with access to Raken can create a channel and add other team members to it.
Can Workers or Project Workers receive messages?
No. Messaging is limited to team members — Account Administrators, Project Administrators, Project Members, and View Only users. Workers do not have an app login at all, so there's no account for a message to reach. Project Workers do have a login, but their navigation is limited to My Time and Schedule only, and Messaging isn't part of that view. If you select "add your whole company" when creating a channel, only team members are added — Workers and Project Workers are not included, even if they appear elsewhere in your Directory.
Technical Specifications
Compatibility: iOS 15+, Android 10+, and all major web browsers
Offline Capability: No — requires active connection
Plan Required: Included in all Raken plans at no additional cost
Role Required: Team members only (Account Administrator, Project Administrator, Project Member, View Only). Not available to Workers or Project Workers.
Considerations
Messaging is included in all Raken plans at no additional cost.
Messages are accessible from both the web app and the mobile app.
Workers and Project Workers cannot send or receive messages. Workers have no app login; Project Workers' mobile view is limited to My Time and Schedule only. Plan a separate communication method (group text, verbal briefing, etc.) for team members in these roles.
More Questions?
Feel free to email us or call us at +1 866-438-0646. We're always glad to answer your questions!