Building A One To One/Group Chat Experience

Launch directly into a one-to-one or group chat screen using CometChat iOS UI Kit components.

Quick Reference for AI Agents & Developers

import CometChatUIKitSwift
import CometChatSDK

// Fetch user and launch chat directly (no conversation list)
CometChat.getUser(UID: "cometchat-uid-2") { user in
    DispatchQueue.main.async {
        let messagesVC = MessagesVC()
        messagesVC.user = user
        let navController = UINavigationController(rootViewController: messagesVC)
        // Present navController as root or push it
    }
}

// MessagesVC uses: CometChatMessageHeader + CometChatMessageList + CometChatMessageComposer

• Components used: CometChatMessageHeader, CometChatMessageList, CometChatMessageComposer

The One-to-One Chat feature provides a streamlined direct messaging interface, making it ideal for support chats, dating apps, and private messaging platforms. This setup eliminates distractions by focusing solely on a dedicated chat window.

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User Interface Preview

Key Components

1. Chat Header – Displays recipient details and optional call/video call buttons.
2. Message View – Shows real-time chat history.
3. Message Input Box – Enables users to send messages, media, and reactions.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Setup SceneDelegate.swift

Ensure UI Kit is initialized and the user is logged in before presenting the message view. See the Integration Guide for full init and login setup.

SceneDelegate.swift

import UIKit
import CometChatUIKitSwift
import CometChatSDK
import CometChatCallsSDK

class SceneDelegate: UIResponder, UIWindowSceneDelegate {

    var window: UIWindow?

    func scene(_ scene: UIScene, willConnectTo session: UISceneSession, options connectionOptions: UIScene.ConnectionOptions) {

        guard let windowScene = (scene as? UIWindowScene) else { return }

        let uikitSettings = UIKitSettings()
            .set(appID: "<#Enter Your App ID Here#>")
            .set(region: "<#Enter Your Region Code Here#>")
            .set(authKey: "<#Enter Your AuthKey Here#>")
            .subscribePresenceForAllUsers()
            .build()

        CometChatUIKit.init(uiKitSettings: uikitSettings) { result in
            switch result {
            case .success:
                debugPrint("CometChat UI Kit initialization succeeded")

                let uid = "cometchat-uid-1"

                CometChatUIKit.login(uid: uid) { loginResult in
                    switch loginResult {
                    case .success:
                        debugPrint("CometChat UI Kit login succeeded")

                        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
                            guard let self = self else { return }
                            self.setUpOneOneOrGroupConversation(windowScene: windowScene, uid: "cometchat-uid-2")
                        }

                    case .onError(let error):
                        debugPrint("Login failed: \(error.description)")
                    @unknown default: break
                    }
                }

            case .failure(let error):
                debugPrint("Initialization failed: \(error.localizedDescription)")
            }
        }
    }

    func setUpOneOneOrGroupConversation(windowScene: UIWindowScene, uid : String) {
        CometChat.getUser(UID: uid) { user in
            
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
                let messagesVC = MessagesVC()
                let navController = UINavigationController(rootViewController: messagesVC)
                messagesVC.user = user
                self.window = UIWindow(windowScene: windowScene)
                self.window?.rootViewController = navController
                self.window?.makeKeyAndVisible()
            }
        } onError: { error in
            
        }

    }
    
}

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Step 2: Create MessagesVC.swift

This view controller handles chat between users or within groups. It composes three core UI Kit components: CometChatMessageHeader, CometChatMessageList, and CometChatMessageComposer.

MessagesVC.swift

import UIKit
import CometChatSDK
import CometChatUIKitSwift

/// A view controller that displays a chat interface using CometChat components
class MessagesVC: UIViewController {
    
    // MARK: - Properties
    
    /// The user entity for one-on-one chats
    var user: User?
    
    /// The group entity for group chats
    var group: Group?
    
    // MARK: - UI Components
    
    /// Header view displaying user/group information
    private lazy var headerView: CometChatMessageHeader = {
        let view = CometChatMessageHeader()
        view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        // Configure for the appropriate conversation type
        if let user = user {
            view.set(user: user)
        } else if let group = group {
            view.set(group: group)
        }
        view.set(controller: self)
        return view
    }()
    
    /// Message input composer view
    private lazy var composerView: CometChatMessageComposer = {
        let composer = CometChatMessageComposer()
        composer.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        // Configure for the appropriate conversation type
        if let user = user {
            composer.set(user: user)
        } else if let group = group {
            composer.set(group: group)
        }
        composer.set(controller: self)
        return composer
    }()
    
    /// List view displaying chat messages
    private lazy var messageListView: CometChatMessageList = {
        let listView = CometChatMessageList()
        listView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        // Configure for the appropriate conversation type
        if let user = user {
            listView.set(user: user)
        } else if let group = group {
            listView.set(group: group)
        }
        listView.set(controller: self)
        return listView
    }()
    
    // MARK: - Lifecycle Methods
    
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        configureView()
        setupLayout()
    }
    
    override func viewWillDisappear(_ animated: Bool) {
        super.viewWillDisappear(animated)
        navigationController?.setNavigationBarHidden(false, animated: true)
    }
    
    // MARK: - Private Methods
    
    /// Configure basic view properties
    private func configureView() {
        view.backgroundColor = .systemBackground
        navigationController?.setNavigationBarHidden(true, animated: false)
    }
    
    /// Set up view hierarchy and constraints
    private func setupLayout() {
        // Add subviews to the view hierarchy
        [headerView, messageListView, composerView].forEach { view.addSubview($0) }
        
        // Set up constraints
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
            // Header view constraints
            headerView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.topAnchor),
            headerView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leadingAnchor),
            headerView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.trailingAnchor),
            headerView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 50),
            
            // Message list view constraints
            messageListView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: headerView.bottomAnchor),
            messageListView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leadingAnchor),
            messageListView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.trailingAnchor),
            messageListView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: composerView.topAnchor),
            
            // Composer view constraints
            composerView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leadingAnchor),
            composerView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.trailingAnchor),
            composerView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.bottomAnchor)
        ])
    }
}

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Next Steps

Conversation List + Messages

Two-panel layout with conversation list and message view

Tab-Based Chat

Multi-tab interface with chats, calls, users, and groups

Theme Introduction

Customize colors, fonts, and styles to match your brand

Components Overview

Explore all available UI components