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Mini Widgets

Better Messages provides mini widgets fixed to the bottom of the screen, giving users quick access to their conversations and contacts from anywhere on the site.

How it works​

Mini widgets are small panels anchored to the bottom of the browser window that remain visible as users browse your website. They provide quick access to conversations, friends lists, and group lists without navigating to the main messaging page. Each widget type can be independently enabled and restricted by user role.

Key capabilities​

  • Mini Threads — compact list of recent conversations with unread counts
  • Mini Friends — list of friends with online status (requires BuddyPress, Ultimate Member, or PeepSo)
  • Mini Groups — list of groups with quick access to group conversations
  • Two display styles: Classic Bar (tab bar at the bottom) or Floating Bubble (circular button that expands into a panel)
  • Custom Bubble Icon — choose from preset icons or paste your own SVG
  • Smooth open/close animations (toggleable)
  • Close button for each widget
  • Role-based visibility restrictions
  • Customizable widget display order
  • Points balance display when a points system (MyCred/GamiPress) is configured
  • Works alongside other page content
note

Mini Chats (popup chat windows), Combined Mini Chat widget, and Bubble Chat Heads require the WebSocket version.

Display Styles​

Better Messages supports two ways of displaying mini widgets:

Classic Bar​

A tab bar fixed to the bottom of the browser window. Clicking a tab expands the corresponding panel above it. This is the traditional layout used in messaging widgets.

Floating Bubble​

A circular floating button anchored to the corner of the screen, similar to chat widgets used by services like Intercom and Messenger. Clicking the bubble expands it into a chat panel. The bubble icon can be customized from a curated set of preset icons or by pasting custom SVG markup.

How to enable​

Navigate to WP Admin → Better Messages → Settings → Mini Widgets.

  • Display Style — choose between Classic Bar and Floating Bubble
  • Bubble Icon — pick the icon shown on the floating bubble button (only when Floating Bubble is selected)
  • Animation — enable smooth open/close animations
  • Mini Threads — enable the conversations list widget
  • Mini Friends — enable the friends list widget (available with BuddyPress, Ultimate Member, or PeepSo)
  • Mini Groups — enable the groups list widget
  • Close Button — show a close button on mini widgets
  • Restrict by Roles — hide specific widgets for certain user roles

Customization​

The bubble button and chat heads can be customized via WP Admin → Appearance → Customize → Better Messages → Mini Widgets & Mini Chats:

  • Bubble Button Size — diameter of the floating bubble button (40–80px)
  • Bubble Button Roundness — border radius of the bubble (0% for square, 50% for circle)
  • Chat Head Size — diameter of recently closed chat avatar bubbles (30–70px)
  • Chat Head Roundness — border radius of chat heads
  • Mini widgets position — left or right side of the screen