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Better Messages for SureDash: Real-Time Chat for SureDash Portals

The SureDash integration for Better Messages adds a real-time messenger to SureDash portals — Messages embedded inside the portal, Private Message button on every profile, audio and video call buttons (WebSocket version), compact message icon next to post and comment authors in discussions, sidebar Messages link with live unread counter, and automatic dark / light mode mirroring. Works on both the free and WebSocket versions of Better Messages.

REQUIREMENTS

To install the plugin ensure that your website running:

  • WordPress 5.9 or newer
  • PHP 7.4 or newer

Installation#

How to install SureDash#

Download SureDash from official website and install following standard WordPress installation process

How to install Better Messages with SureDash#

  1. Install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly or upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/bp-better-messages directory.
  2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in WordPress
  3. Use the Better Messages -> Settings menu to configure the plugin
  4. Set Show in SureDash Portal in Better Messages location settings.
  5. Go to WP Admin -> Better Messages -> Settings -> Integrations -> SureDash and configure integration
note

The SureDash tab in Better Messages integration settings only appears when the SureDash plugin is installed and active.

Supported features#

When you install the SureDash plugin with Better Messages:

  • Messages page is embedded directly into the SureDash portal
  • Adds private message button to SureDash user profile pages
  • Adds compact message icon next to post and comment authors in SureDash discussions
  • Messages link with unread counter in SureDash sidebar navigation
  • Messages link with unread counter in SureDash user profile dropdown menu
  • All links to user profiles in Better Messages Interface automatically point to SureDash user profiles
  • Automatic switch between dark and light modes based on SureDash settings
  • Adds video and audio call buttons to user profiles

Frequently asked questions#

Does SureDash have its own messaging that I should disable?#

SureDash does not ship with a separate messenger — Better Messages adds the layer cleanly without a conflict.

Will the dark-mode switch follow my SureDash settings exactly?#

Yes — Better Messages mirrors the SureDash portal's active mode (light / dark / system).

Can I configure messaging permissions by SureDash community / Space?#

SureDash Spaces map to WordPress roles or to SureDash's own capability flags, which Better Messages reads via its permissions layer.

Are SureDash profile call buttons hidden for non-friends?#

The Audio and Video Call buttons have a friends-only option in Better Messages → Settings → Calls.

Yes — registered through SureDash's standard sidebar API.

See also#