Chat SDKs iOS v3
Chat SDKs iOS
Chat SDKs
iOS
Version 3
Sendbird Chat SDK v3 for iOS is no longer supported as a new version is released. Check out our latest Chat SDK v4

Supergroup channel

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A Supergroup channel is an expanded version of a group channel, which can accommodate a massive number of members while serving the same functions as a group channel. The maximum number can stretch up to tens of thousands of members depending on your Sendbird plan. Because a Supergroup channel is built upon the same foundation as a group channel, Platform APIs and SDK functions for both channel types are identical.

Note: Supergroup and group channels are alike in terms of Platform API and SDK design, except for the isSuper. The isSuper property indicates whether the channel is a Supergroup channel or a group channel.


Use cases

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Supergroup channels can be used for a wide range of occasions that demand real-time engagement among a large number of users. One of the common use cases for Supergroup channels is community building, ranging from public forums to private events with a large membership.

  • Ask-me-anything events: Supergroup channels also work as a platform for users to seek advice from an influencer or expert.
  • Gaming community: Another common set-up is gaming communities, where users gather to find players to team up with or exchange ideas and strategies to advance further in the game.
  • Stand-ups: Supergroup channels are a great place for midsize conferences, such as a organization-wide stand-up.

Note: To learn about differences among open channels, group channels, and Supergroup channels, see Channel types.


Limitations

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To secure stable operation and optimized user experience of a Supergroup channel, a few functions are subject to limits. Some of those limitations include:

  • Visual interactions: read and delivery receipts aren’t supported in Supergroup channels to provide an optimal performance in Supergroup channels.
  • Unread counts: unread counts are marked up to 100 only. In the case they surpass 100, we suggest you display the counts as 99+ to avoid confusion.
  • Push notifications: The way push notifications for Supergroup channels work is determined by two factors: the number of members in a channel and the online status of its member.
    • When there are less than 100 members: A push notification will be sent for every message created in the channel.
    • When there are 100 members or more: A ten-minute time window will be applied to Supergroup channels with more than 100 members. Once the number of members exceeds 100 and a new message is created, a push notification will be sent for the new message and then the next push notification can come ten minutes after that.
      For example, the number of members in Channel A surpasses 100 at 13:00 and then a new message is sent at 13:01, a push notification will be sent for the 13:01 message and the ten-minute time window begins. For the following ten minutes, there will be no push notifications for any messages created within the time frame. When ten minutes pass and another message is sent at 13:11, the second push notification will be made for that message.
    • When a user becomes active: If one of the Supergroup channel members enters the channel and reads a message, the user will be recognized as active. Then only for the following one minute, the user will be receiving push notifications for all messages sent within the time frame.

Open channel vs. Group channel vs. Supergroup channel

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The following table compares the difference among three types of channels that can accommodate a large number of users: Open channels, Group channels, and Supergroup channels.

Open channel vs. Group channel vs. Supergroup channel

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Open channelGroup channelSupergroup channel

Maximum number in a channel

* The maximum number can be adjusted depending on use cases. Contact our sales team.

1,000 participants

100 members

2,000 and more members

* The number varies depending on your Sendbird plan.

Accessible by

Anyone within the application

Invited users only if private or anyone if public

Invited users only if private or anyone if public

Ephemeral messaging

Supported

Supported

Supported

Online presence

Supported

Supported

Supported

Last message

N/A

Supported

Supported

UIKit

Supported

Supported

Supported

Operators

Supported

Supported

Supported

Ban users

Supported

Supported

Supported

Mute users

Supported

Supported

Supported

Freeze channels

Supported

Supported

Supported

Delivery receipts

N/A

Supported

N/A

Read receipts

N/A

Supported

N/A

Unread counts

N/A

Supported

Supported

* Up to 100 unread counts are supported.

Typing indicators

N/A

Supported

Supported

* Up to 3 concurrent indicators are supported.

Mention others in message

Supported

Supported

Supported

Mention counts

N/A

Supported

Supported

Reactions

N/A

Supported

Supported

Spam flood protection

Supported

Supported

Supported

Chatbot interface

Supported

Supported

Supported

Smart throttling

Supported (Default: true)

Supported (Default: false)

Supported (Default: false)

Push notifications

N/A

* Push notifications for announcements only.

Supported

* Push notifications for every message sent.

Supported

* Refer to Limitations.

Get a channel with its member list

N/A

Supported

Supported

* Only ten members are retrieved as a preview.
To get an entire list of members, use the list members API instead.

Pagination for participant list or member list

Supported

Supported

Supported

Order of channel list

- Chronological

- Chronological
- Latest last message
- Channel name
- Metadata value

- Chronological
- Latest last message
- Channel name
- Metadata value


Create a Supergroup channel

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Creating a Supergroup channel follows exactly the same process of creating a group channel with one exception of the isSuper property. The SBDGroupChannelParams class has the isSuper property, which determines whether a newly created channel will be a Supergroup channel or a group channel. If the property is set to true, a new channel will be a Supergroup channel.

Note: Supergroup channels are not supported with the isDistinct property and the property is false by default.

SwiftObjective-C
let params = SBDGroupChannelParams()
params.addUserIds(USER_IDS)
params.isSuper = true
params.operatorUserIds = [OPERATOR_IDS]
...

SBDGroupChannel.createChannel(with: params, completionHandler: { (groupChannel, error) in
    guard error == nil else {
        // Handle error.
    }

    // A group channel of the specified users is successfully created.
    // Through the groupChannel parameter of the callback method,
    // you can get the group channel's data from the result object
    // that Sendbird server has passed to the callback method.
    let channelUrl = groupChannel?.channelUrl
    ...
}

Retrieve a list of Supergroup channels using a filter

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Like how you search group channels using filters, you can retrieve a list of Supergroup channels through the SBDGroupChannel's setSuperChannelFilter: method. You can tell which channel is a Supergroup channel by looking for the groupChannel.isSuper property. If the property has a value of true, the channel is a Supergroup channel.

SwiftObjective-C
let listQuery = SBDGroupChannel.createMyGroupChannelListQuery()
listQuery?.superChannelFilter = .super
listQuery?.loadNextPage(completionHandler: { (groupChannels, error) in
    guard error == nil else {
        // Handle error.
    }

    // A list of matching group channels is successfully retrieved.
    // Through the groupChannels parameter of the callback method,
    // you can access the data of each group channel from the result list
    // that Sendbird server has passed to the callback method.
    self.channels += groupChannels!
    ...
})