Sending Messages & Files
This page covers the day-to-day: typing messages, sending files, reading status indicators, and deleting your own messages.
Sending a Text Message
Click the input field
At the bottom of every open conversation is an input labeled "Type a message..."
Type your message
You can type up to 5000 characters. The message wraps automatically and the input grows as needed.
Send
Click the Send button, or press Enter. Press Shift + Enter to add a line break without sending.
Messages longer than 5000 characters are rejected by the server. Split long content into multiple messages or attach it as a file.
Typing Indicator
As soon as you start typing, the other party sees "{your name} is typing..." in the conversation header. The indicator clears automatically about 2-3 seconds after you stop typing — or when you send the message.
Message States
Every message you send goes through several states, shown next to it:
| State | Icon | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Sending | spinner | The message is uploading to the server |
| Sent | single check | The server received it |
| Delivered | double check | The other party's device received it |
| Read | double check (filled/colored) | The other party opened the conversation |
| Failed | error icon | Something went wrong — retry or delete |
Attaching Files
You can send more than just text — attach documents, photos, proof-of-delivery, and more.
Click the attachment icon
The paperclip icon sits beside the input field.
Pick a file
Your system's file picker opens. Select one file at a time.
Add an optional message
You can add text to send with the attachment — otherwise the attachment sends on its own.
Send
The file uploads (you'll see "Uploading...") and then appears in the conversation.
Supported File Types
- Images — JPEG, PNG — shown with inline previews and fullscreen zoom
- PDFs — rendered with a preview image and a Download button
- Documents — DOCX, XLS, CSV, TXT — shown as a download card with filename and size
File Size Limit
Maximum 10 MB per file. If your file is larger:
- Compress the PDF or image
- For large documents, break them into sections
- Use email or a cloud-share link for very large files
Viewing Attachments
Images
Click any image in the conversation to open it fullscreen. Use the download icon to save it to your device.
PDFs
A preview thumbnail shows in the conversation. Click Download to open the PDF in a new tab.
Other documents
DOCX, XLS, CSV and similar files show as a card with the filename and file size. Click to download.
Translating Messages
Trading across borders often means messages arrive in a language you don't speak. Pickup2 translates them in chat on demand — you don't need to copy-paste into another tool.
Find the "Translate" button
Under every incoming text message you'll see a small "Translate" link with a globe icon. Your own messages, system messages, offer notifications, and emoji-only messages don't show this button.
Click it
The message is translated into the language your Pickup2 interface is set to. A small spinner shows while the request runs.
Toggle back with "See original"
Once translated, the same button switches to "See original" — click again to flip between the original and the translation.
Translations are cached. The first translation of a message is stored on the server, so reopening the conversation later (or reloading the page) shows the translated text instantly — no second wait.
What can be translated
- Incoming text messages from the other party
- Offer-related system messages (e.g. "{name} accepted the offer") — these auto-render in your interface language without any clicks
What can't be translated
- Your own messages — you wrote them
- Messages still sending, failed, or already deleted
- Emoji-only messages
- The contents of file attachments — only the message text is translated, not the inside of attached PDFs or images
Picking the target language
Translations go into the language your Pickup2 account is set to. To translate into a different language, switch your interface language first (Settings → Profile → Language), then click Translate on the message.
If translation fails
You'll see a small "Translation failed" notice below the message. Almost always a brief connection issue — wait a moment and click Translate again.
Deleting Your Own Messages
Hover (or long-press on mobile)
Hover your mouse over your own message — a menu icon appears.
Select Delete
Confirm the prompt "Delete this message?".
The message is replaced
Where your text was, both sides now see "This message was deleted".
Deletion is a soft delete — attachments are also removed from the other side's view. You can only delete your own messages, never the other party's.
Deleted Messages Display
When you or the other party deletes a message, it shows as:
This message was deleted
— in a muted/italic style. The deletion is permanent and irreversible.
Online, Offline & Last Seen
Above every conversation you'll see a status line:
- Online — the other party has the app open right now
- Offline — they're not currently active
- Last seen 5 min ago — shown when they're offline, indicating when they were last active
The status updates in real time as the other person connects, disconnects, or goes idle.
Limits & Rules at a Glance
| Limit | |
|---|---|
| Maximum message length | 5000 characters |
| Maximum file size | 10 MB |
| Files per message | 1 |
| Supported file types | JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOCX, XLS, CSV, TXT, + more |
| Your own message deletion | Anytime (soft delete) |
| Editing sent messages | Not supported — delete and resend |
Troubleshooting
My message shows as "Failed"
- Tap or click the failed message — options to Retry and Delete appear.
- Most failures are connection-related — wait a moment and retry.
- Keep failures rare? Check your internet or try refreshing the page.
"File is too large" or "File type not supported"
- Files over 10 MB are rejected. Compress, split, or use another channel.
- Unsupported file types (e.g.
.zip,.exe) are blocked for security. Convert them to a supported format or share a cloud link in a text message.
Messages aren't arriving in real time
- Your connection may have dropped. You'll usually see "Connection lost. Reconnecting..." — it auto-reconnects.
- If the issue persists, refresh the page.
- Corporate firewalls sometimes block WebSocket connections — try a different network.
Need Additional Help?
Our support team is ready to assist you 24/7. Contact Support