--- title: How to set the Default channel from the Admin console description: As an admin, you can set a default channel in the Admin Console (also called the Management Console). This is the channel users automatically connect to... --- [Skip to content](https://support.zello.com/zw/how-to-set-the-default-channel-from-the-admin-console#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png)](https://zello.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/) [Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Zello Work](https://support.zello.com/zw?hsLang=en) 2. [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en) 3. [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#channels) May 8, 2026 # How to set the Default channel from the Admin console This article is written for: ✅ Zello Work  ❌ Zello Friends & Family. As an admin, you can set a default channel in the Admin Console (also called the Management Console). This is the channel users automatically connect to when they sign in to the app. Furthermore, if a channel is set as a default channel, Zello will automatically switch to that channel after a period of activity. Setting a default channel helps create a consistent setup= for users in the field. For example, if you set a dispatch channel as the default for drivers, they can start communicating right away without needing to navigate the app beyond talking. This can reduce distraction and support safer operation. You can set a default channel for all users in the network. Alternatively, you can use [user templates](https://support.zellowork.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008259773-Creating-User-Templates-to-customize-user-settings) to assign different default channels to different groups of users. A few things to keep in mind: - You can only set a default **channel**, not an individual contact. - After you set a default channel in the Admin Console, users can’t choose their own default channel. - If a user isn’t a member of the channel you set as default, the setting won’t apply to that user. ### Setting the default channel --- 1. Login to the Management Console at \[yournetworkname\].zellowork.com. 2. Click **Administration** and then click **Settings.** ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43029563431565-2.png?width=670&height=505&name=43029563431565-2.png) 3. Locate the **Default channel** setting by scrolling down on the settings page or by typing "Default channel" into the search bar. ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43029530211469-2.png?width=670&height=246&name=43029530211469-2.png) 4. Use the drop down menu to select the channel you want to make the default channel. ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43029563432205-2.png?width=670&height=62&name=43029563432205-2.png) 5. Click **Save & Apply** ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/43029563432461-2.png?width=670&height=235&name=43029563432461-2.png) Please go to [**this link**](https://support.zellowork.com/hc/en-us/articles/360047301013)to read more about this feature. **Note:** Default channel (contact) is currently only available on the Zello Android and iOS app. Setting the Default channel from the Admin console works with Zello version **4.91 and above on Android**, and on Zello version **4.110 and above on iOS**. - [Getting Started](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Trials](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#trials) - [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#admins) - [Users](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#users) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [Intro to Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#intro-to-zello) - [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Management](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#user-management) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#channels) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [Network Settings and Configurations](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#network-settings-and-configurations) - [Zello Enterprise Server](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#zello-enterprise-server) - [Payments, Subscriptions, and Billing](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#payments-subscriptions-and-billing) - [Using Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [User Communications](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#user-communications) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#channels) - [Settings](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#settings) - [Features](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#features) - [Windows PC App](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#windows-pc-app) - [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Rugged/Specialized Phones](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#rugged-specialized-phones) - [Network Radios](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#network-radios) - [Headsets](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#headsets) - [Speakers/Mics](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#speakers-mics) - [Wireless Buttons](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#wireless-buttons) - [Gateways](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#gateways) - [Partners & Developers](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Partnerships](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#partnerships) - [New Mobile SDK (iOS, Android, React Native)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#new-mobile-sdk-ios-android-react-native) - [Legacy SDK (Android-Only)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#legacy-sdk-android-only) - [API and Integrations](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#api-and-integrations) - [FAQ](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Functionality](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#functionality) - [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#accessories) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Network](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#network) - [Compliance](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#compliance) - [Videos](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Android](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#android) - [Management Console](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#management-console) - [iOS](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#ios) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#channels) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) [![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png "wordmark@2x")](https://zello.com) Zello Inc Help Center Copyright © 2025, Zello