Improved Speed and Modernization of Messages on Desktop: Feedback and Questions

[#1]

Over the coming weeks, you may see changes to Upwork Messages on desktop as we test improvements to this crucial piece of Upwork infrastructure. These changes reflect, in large part, technical modernization. In addition to a new look, the Messages page should load much faster due to backend improvements. 

Check out the announcement here for more information and feel free to share your feedback and questions in the comments below.

[#2]

Hi,

If there are several people in the chat, and the names are no longer shown in the new version (except at the top of the screen). How do I know who I'm talking to?

Thanks

[#3]

Hi Ilia,

Thanks for your question. The names of people you're chatting with will show next to their messages. Below is an updated screenshot of what a room with multiple participants would look like. Your own name won't show next to your messages.

[#4]

IMO the bubble layout is going to make life a lot easier and I look forward to its permanent, universal implementation.

Otherwise, I concur 100% with everything Douglas Michael M said. 

[#5]

Awesome Improvements Thanks Upwork 

[#6]

Upwork continues to test half-baked updates ("Some less commonly used features will not initially be available in the new version") on the live production system on which we depend for our livelihoods, rather than maintaining a test system and running a proper opt-in beta testing period.

Fingers crossed.

[#7]

I just have this vision of a panorama screen (my next investment) and going full-screen. Reading messages will be like watching a tennis match.

[#8]

I should add that I've never encountered "speed," per se, as an issue with Messages. I occasionally have conversations there in real time.

Reliability, on the other hand, has always been and continues to be a problem, ranging from disappearing messages to days' delay in transmission. If you're tackling the latter problem under the rubric of "load[ing] much faster," more power to you! If not...well, you have a reliability problem that I would argue is a higher priority than speed.

[#9]

1GB attachments is life changing to video editors! Up the work!

[#10]

I don't see which particular user is online, if there are several users in the chat. Also, I cannot hide or archive the chat. Just, there is no such option. It doesn't look like improvement. 

[#11]

Hi Maksym,

Some features will not initially be available in the new version. However, both features you noted - an option to archive a room and online presence indicator - are on the roadmap and will be added to the new version soon. Meanwhile, you will have the option to switch between the old and new versions.

[#12]

Please add message seen feature like WhatsApp. We have been waiting for months after applying for the job and no response receives from clients. At least let us know if the next person has seen our message or not.

[#13]

Hi Kashif, 

"Message seen" feature was something we explored a while ago, however, based on the feedback we've received, decided not to move forward with. You can check the discussion here for more information. Currently, I'm not aware of any plans to add this feature to Upwork Messages. 

[#14]

Hello,

I want to be able to hide conversations in the Messages tab but since the new UI, I can't right click on a conversation and click "Hide". Is there a new way to hide conversations or did Upwork remove this feature?

[#15]

Hi Erick,

Thank you for reaching out to us. You should be able to click on three dots on the message you sent and there you should find an option to delete your message. Here is a screenshot for reference. 

You can find more information in this announcement thread. 

Let us know if you need further assistance. 

[#16]

It doesn't have to do with the message, but the conversation. The section that you send messages in. 

(red scribbles for client privacy)

[#17]

1. I used to be able to set an away message by clicking the "gear" icon in the Messages screen, but with the updated Messages screen, there is no gear icon to click.  How can I set up an Away Message? Thank you!

[#18]

Hi Diane and Erick,

We're testing a new version of Upwork Messages on Desktop. Some less commonly used features will not initially be available in the new version, but, for the time being, you will have the option to switch between the old and new versions.

Thank you! 

[#19]

Thanks for your reply! This helps 🙂

I would request to add it back anyway, if there's a way to do so. It's very useful because new message threads open up every time my client starts a contract.

[#20]

Thank you for your reply but it is not letting me switch back to the old version.  I click on to where it says to use older version, click "go back" and then submit my feedback and it still keeps it at the current new messenger settings.

[#21]

Hi Diane,

One of our team members will reach out to you via ticket as soon as possible and will assist you further with your messages. Thank you.

[#22]

Yes, I want to switch back to the old version until the new one is fully functional, but it's not letting me. I've clicked "go back" several times now, and it still loads the new layout.  It's very annoying not to be able to hide/archive whole conversations/rooms - it was a very useful feature in the old message center. The sorting thing / filter doesn't suffice - I don't want all recent contracts displayed, I want only the active ones. Should I open a ticket to get back to the old version? 

[#23]

I was automatically switched back to the old version. To tell the truth, it is still better. At least, more functional.

[#24]

Hi Bojana,

I checked with the team and it sounds like it's a known issue that they are working on fixing as soon as possible. No need to create a ticket but I'll keep an eye on it and can update you here once it's fixed.

[#25]

Bojana,

This has been fixed and you should be able to switch to the old version and access the functions that aren't yet availble on the new version. Let me know if you run into any issues doing that.