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CHANNEL TALK

ChannelTalk
Support Chat Integration

A guide to integrating ChannelTalk, Korea's leading customer support chat. Covers channel creation, web and app SDK installation, operations, and automation.

Create a ChannelTalk channelView steps

Free plan

3 operators

Paid upgrade

Pro ~ ₩39,000/operator

Requirements

Email · phone

Overview

Check before you start

ChannelTalk bundles live chat, a customer database, and marketing automation. If you only handle basic inquiries the free plan is enough; for conversation history, analytics, and API automation, consider Pro or higher. User identification (member_id) is what ties conversation history to each user.

Assign a primary admin

Email verification required.

Plan operator count

Free covers up to 3.

Update privacy policy

Disclose the third party.

User integration plan

Map member_id and profile.

Step by Step

Step-by-step Guide

01

SIGNUP

Sign up & create a channel

Create your channel at channel.io.

  • Sign up with email or phone (Google OAuth also works)
  • Choose a channel name, logo, and industry
  • Start on the free Startup plan
  • Pick a channel URL slug (used in the URL)
02

TEAM

Configure teams and hours

Basic setup for conversation routing.

  • Create teams (CS, sales, technical support, etc.)
  • Invite operators via email links
  • Set hours and auto-replies for each team
  • Configure "away" messages and ticket conversion for out-of-hours
03

WEB

Install the web SDK

Show the chat button on your site.

  • Channel Settings > Installation
  • Copy the Plugin Key
  • Insert the ChannelIO() script into <head>
  • SPAs should call ChannelIO("updateUser") on route changes
  • Next.js: load it via the Script component in app/layout.tsx
04

IDENTIFY

Identify users (Boot)

Identify logged-in users to ChannelTalk.

  • ChannelIO("boot", { pluginKey, memberId, profile })
  • memberId: your internal unique ID (email recommended)
  • profile: name, email, mobileNumber, avatarUrl
  • memberHash: compute HMAC-SHA256(secret, memberId) on the server
  • memberHash prevents user impersonation
  • Call ChannelIO("shutdown") on logout
05

APP

Mobile SDK (iOS · Android · RN)

Integrate with native or cross-platform apps.

  • iOS: install via CocoaPods (ChannelIOFront) or SPM
  • Android: Maven Central (io.channel:plugin-android)
  • React Native: @channel.io/react-native-channel-plugin
  • Call ChannelIO.boot(...) at app launch
  • Register FCM and APNs tokens for push notifications
06

FEATURES

Team Chat, popups, marketing (optional)

Enable extra features.

  • Team Chat: use it as an internal messenger
  • Marketing popups: trigger messages on specific pages
  • Support Bot: keyword-based auto replies (can plug into an LLM)
  • Email campaigns and SMS (Pro and above)
07

WEBHOOK

Webhooks & API integration

Connect to CRMs, Slack, and other tools.

  • Integration > Webhook to register endpoints
  • Events: new_user_chat, user_chat_assigned, review_submitted, and more
  • Verify signatures via the X-Channel-Signature header
  • Slack, Jira, and Zapier have built-in integrations
  • Open API (REST): automate chat queries and manager operations
08

OPS

Notifications, GDPR, monitoring

Operations-side configuration.

  • Per-operator browser, email, and mobile notifications
  • Disclose ChannelTalk in your privacy policy (DataWall)
  • Optional: auto-clean users inactive for 30+ days
  • Run satisfaction surveys and check CSAT
  • Use the monthly analytics and reporting dashboard

Pitfalls

Common blockers

Skipping memberHash

Using only memberId without memberHash allows impersonation. Server-side HMAC is mandatory.

Forgetting updateUser in SPAs

ChannelTalk preserves state across Next.js/React route changes. Skipping boot/shutdown on login/logout leaves the previous user attached.

Missing privacy disclosure

ChannelTalk is a third party that processes personal data. Failing to disclose it leads to audit issues.

Push tokens not registered

Without FCM/APNs tokens registered with ChannelTalk, operator replies will not trigger app push notifications.

Free-plan operator limit

Exceeding 3 operators restricts features rather than auto-billing. Upgrade to Pro when you need more.

Resources

Official links

ChannelTalk

Create a channel · pricing

Developer docs

Install · API · SDK

Web SDK guide

JavaScript install

Mobile SDK

iOS · Android · RN

Open API

REST · automation

Webhook

Receive events

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