---
title: Creating and configuring channels (Management Console)
description: Why use channels? Let's say you work at a construction company. Your network’s Everyone channel will include all licensed users, but if you want to...
---

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May 7, 2026

# Creating and configuring channels (Management Console)

This article is written for: ✅ Zello Work  ❌ Zello Friends & Family.

### What are channels? <https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26989198616845-Creating-and-configuring-channels-Management-Console#h_01J3ZXP3YCG4GJVFRGRVBE583A>

Channels facilitate group communication with specific users on your Zello Work network. When a message is sent to a channel, it's received by all users provisioned to that channel—enabling unified, targeted communications. 

Channels are established by an admin from the management console. When you create your Zello Work network, an **Everyone** channel will be automatically generated that includes all network users. Admins can also set up additional, more focused channels that speak to specific users' communication needs. 

**Why use channels?** Let's say you work at a construction company. Your network’s **Everyone** channel will include all licensed users, but if you want to communicate only with members at your site, a network admin can create a secure channel specifically for the those individuals. Channels narrow communications so that chatter is minimized and relevant messages are delivered to the intended recipients. 

**Additional points to note about channels: **

- Only admins can create channels. 
- There are no limitations on the number of users assigned to a channel. However, only 10,000 users can be connected at one time. Contact Zello Support if additional capacity is needed.
- There are 4 different types of channels, each of which carries unique permissions regarding user communication: team, dynamic, hidden, and dispatch. See [this article](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26723627220365-Changing-a-Channel-Type) for a breakdown of the different features available in each. 
- The **Everyone** channel can be deleted. 
- Channels operate as a secure, configurable space that allows users to communicate quickly with each other. Users can only send messages to channels they've been provisioned to. 

### Creating a new channel

1. Sign in to your network’s management console at \[yournetworkname\]*.*zellowork.com.
2. Select **Channels**.  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358415458829-4.png?width=300&height=508&name=43358415458829-4.png)
3. Assign your new channel a name and specify the channel type. Note that the channel settings and [channel typ](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26723627220365-Changing-a-Channel-Type)e can be changed at any time. Click **Create**.
   
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358415459085-2.png?width=400&height=401&name=43358415459085-2.png)
   
    
4. Select the users you’d like included in the channel. Note that you can add or delete users at any time. Then, click **Add people.**  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358435401485-2.png?width=300&height=445&name=43358435401485-2.png)

### Adding users to an existing channel

1. Sign into your network’s management console at \[yournetworkname\].zellowork.com.
2. Select **Channels**.   
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358415458829-1-2.png?width=300&height=508&name=43358415458829-1-2.png)
3. Select the channel you would like to add users to.  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358791049997-3.png?width=670&height=178&name=43358791049997-3.png)
4. Select the **plus sign +** located at the top of the Users section.  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358782834061-2.png?width=670&height=299&name=43358782834061-2.png)
5. Click the checkbox next to the usernames you’d like added to the channel. To add allusers in the network, use the check box marked "select all".  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358791050765-2.png)
   
   **Note:** You can use the drop down menu at the bottom to assign channel roles to these users. This can be especially helpful when adding users to a dispatch channel, where you can assign these users the dispatcher role by selecting **Dispatcher.**  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358791052429-2.png?width=600&height=186&name=43358791052429-2.png)
6. When the appropriate users have been selected, click **Done**.    
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358791053581-2.png?width=300&height=334&name=43358791053581-2.png)

### **Advanced Settings **

When establishing a new channel, consider instituting parameters regarding voice message length. The default message length is unlimited; however, if two users are trying to speak at the same time, the default interruption time is one minute. 

To change the channel’s message length, follow the steps below: 

1. Sign into your network’s management console at \[yournetworkname\].zellowork.com.
2. Select **Channels**.   
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358415458829-2-2.png?width=300&height=508&name=43358415458829-2-2.png)
3. Select the channel you would like to change the settings of.  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358791049997-1-2.png?width=670&height=178&name=43358791049997-1-2.png)
4. Click on the settings icon located at the top-left corner of your channel’s information box.  
   ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43358782835213-2.png?width=670&height=285&name=43358782835213-2.png)
5. Alter the message duration and interruption time as you see fit. When done, click **Save**.

| [![](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/43358791057037)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/43358791057037) | [![](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/43358791058189)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/43358791058189) |
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