How to Join a Discord Server in 4 Steps

Key Points

• To join a Discord server, download and install the Discord app on your preferred device, create an account, and then join public or private servers.
• Public servers can be found through the server directory or server discovery feature, while private servers require an invitation link or an invitation from a current member.
• Discord servers are organized into channels, which can be text or voice channels, and support various types of media, including images, videos, and emojis.

Are you new to Discord and looking to join a server? Discord is a popular online messaging platform that allows users to join communities, chat with friends, and play games together. Joining a server on Discord is a simple process, and it can be done in just a few steps. In this article, we will guide you through the process of joining a Discord server, whether you are using the Discord app on your computer, mobile device, or using a web browser.

Step 1: Download and Install Discord

To join a Discord server, you first need to download and install the Discord app. Discord is available on desktop and mobile devices, so you can choose the platform that suits you best.

Desktop App

To download and install the Discord desktop app you need to navigate to the Discord website and then click the “Download for Mac” button, or “Download for Windows” if you’re using a Windows computer.

Once the download is complete all you need to do is open the file and install it, just as you would any other application. 

Web Browser

If you don’t want to download the desktop app, then you can use Discord in your web browser. To do this, all you need to do is go to the Discord website in your web browser and click the “Open Discord in your browser” button.

Next, you’ll be prompted to enter a username, and then confirm your birthdate. After that, you’ll be prompted to create your own server, or you can join a server if you already have the invite. 

Mobile App

If you want to use your smartphone, then open up the App Store, if you’re using an iPhone, or the Google Play Store, if you’re using an Android phone. Then, search for “Discord” and tap the “Install” button to download and install the app. 

Step 2: Create a Discord Account

When you download the app in the steps above, you’ll be prompted to create an account regardless. But, we’ll walk you through the steps below just in case.

First, go to the Discord website and then click the “Login” button at the top of the page.

Then, on the next screen, click the link that says “Register”.

Next, you’ll need to enter your username, password, email, and date of birth. Then, click the “Continue” button. After that, you’ll need to verify your email address. Once you’ve verified your account, you can log in to Discord and start joining servers.

When creating your account, make sure to choose a username that you like and that represents you well. Your username will be visible to other users on Discord, so choose something that you’re comfortable with.

Also, make sure to choose a strong password that you can remember. Your password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

In addition, you can add more security to your account by enabling two-factor authentication. This will require you to enter a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password when logging in to Discord.

Step 3: Joining a Discord Server

Once you’ve created your Discord account and logged in, you can start joining servers. There are two main ways to join a server on Discord: joining a public server or joining a private server. In this section, we will cover both options.

Option 1: Joining a Public Server

Joining a public server on Discord is straightforward. You can find public servers by browsing through the server directory, searching for a keyword, or by using the server discovery feature. Here’s how to join a public server.

Open the Discord app and navigate to the left side of the screen. Then, click on the “Explore Discoverable Servers” button. This brings up a screen where you can browse through a list of public servers.

If you find a server that looks interesting, then click on it. At the top of the screen click the “Join [Server Name]” button to join the server.

Once you have joined the server, you can start interacting with other members and exploring the server’s channels and features.

Option 2: Joining a Private Server

Joining a private server is a bit more complicated than joining a public server. You will need an invitation link or an invitation from a current member to join a private server. Currently, there’s no way to join a private server without an invite link.

So, your best course of action is to get in touch with a group admin or member of the group you want to join. Note, that not every member of the group can send an invite link. Sometimes, only admins of the group have the ability to send invites.

If you have a private link, then all you need to do is click the “+” icon in your Discord dashboard.

After that, click the “Join a Server” button in the popup.

Then, paste your link into the box and click the “Join Server” button.

If the invitation link is valid, you will be taken to the server and become a member. Private servers offer a more exclusive community experience than public servers, but they require an invitation to join.

Step 4: Using Discord Servers

Once you’ve joined a Discord server, you can start interacting with other members and participating in discussions. Here are some key features of Discord servers that you should know about.

Navigating Servers and Channels

Discord servers are organized into channels, which can be text or voice channels. To navigate between channels, click on the channel name in the left-hand sidebar. You can also use the search bar at the top of the screen to find specific channels.

Within a channel, you can view the conversation history and send messages. To send a message, simply type your message in the text box at the bottom of the screen and hit enter. You can also use the formatting options to add bold text, italics, or other formatting to your message.

Sending Messages

Discord messages can include text, images, videos, and other types of media. To send a message with an attachment, click on the plus sign next to the text box and select the type of file you want to upload.

You can also use Discord’s built-in emoji and reactions to respond to messages. To add a reaction, hover over the message and click on the smiley face icon that appears.

Editing and Deleting Messages

If you need to edit or delete a message, simply hover over the message and click on the three dots that appear. From there, you can choose to edit or delete the message.

Note that once a message has been deleted, it cannot be recovered. Be careful when deleting messages, especially in public channels.

Voice Chat and Video Calls

Discord also supports voice chat and video calls, which can be useful for online gaming or remote meetings. To join a voice chat, simply click on the voice channel you want to join and start talking.

You can also use video calls to have face-to-face conversations with other members. To start a video call, click on the video camera icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Closing Thoughts: How to Join a Discord Server

As you’ve seen, joining a Discord server is a simple process that requires only a few steps. Check out the video below for a quick refresher of what you’ve just learnt.

1. Download the Discord app on desktop, mobile, or open the browser app.
2. Create a Discord account.
3. Explore public Discord servers to join.
4. Join private Discord servers with an invite link.
5. Send messages and have fun!

When joining a server, it’s important to read and follow the rules, as they can vary from server to server. Some servers may require you to introduce yourself or verify your identity before you can participate in conversations or access certain channels.

Overall, Discord is a powerful platform that allows you to connect with people from all over the world and engage in a wide range of activities. Whether you are a gamer, a content creator, or simply looking to connect with like-minded individuals, Discord has something for everyone.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©IB Photography/Shutterstock.com.