How to Implement a "Typing Indicator" in Agora Chat – Agora Support Center

Issue Description

Developers often want to display a “User is typing…” indicator within a chat application built using Agora Chat SDK. This feature visually informs participants when another user is actively typing a message, enhancing the real-time chat experience.

At present, the Agora Chat SDK does not include a built-in typing indicator feature. However, developers can implement this functionality manually using custom command (CMD) messages.

Platform/SDK

Agora Chat SDK (Web, Android, iOS, Unity)

Error Message

(Not applicable — this is a feature implementation request.)

Step-by-Step Solution

Detect when a user starts typing

In your chat input component, add an event listener that triggers whenever the user begins typing.

Send a CMD message to indicate typing activity

When typing starts, send a CMD message with a custom action field (e.g., "typing").

Sample (Web SDK):

const options = {
  // Set the message type.
  type: "cmd",
  // Set the chat type.
  chatType: "singleChat",
  // The username of the message receiver.
  to: "username",
  // Set the custom action.
  action: "typing..",
  // Set the extended message.
  ext: { extmsg: "extends messages" },
};
// Create a CMD message.
const msg = AgoraChat.message.create(options);
// Call send to send the CMD message.
chatClient
  .send(msg)
  .then((res) => {
    // Occurs when the message is sent.
    console.log("Success");
  })
  .catch((e) => {
    // Occurs when the message fails to be sent.
    console.log("Fail");
  });

Listen for CMD messages on the receiving client
- On the recipient’s device, implement a listener for incoming CMD messages.
- When a CMD message with action === 'typing' is received, display a “User is typing…” indicator in the chat UI.

Root Cause

Agora Chat SDK currently does not provide a native typing indicator API. This feature must be implemented manually using CMD-type messages to broadcast typing activity between clients.

Corresponding Document/Link

Agora Chat SDK — Send & Receive CMD Messages (Web)
Agora Chat CMD Message Reference for custom typing events to simulate real-time typing feedback in chat conversations.

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