---
title: "Joining or requesting access to a group"
description: "Members join open groups in one click from the groups directory and request access to private groups, where a group manager approves the request"
category: communication
section: groups-and-rooms
type: Tutorial
lastUpdated: 2026-08-06
locale: en
canonical: https://support.talkspirit.com/en/communication/joining-or-asking-for-access-to-a-group
---

# Joining or requesting access to a group


## Joining or requesting access to a group
You can join an open group in one click from the groups directory. Private groups require you to request access and wait for approval, by default from a group manager. Joining a group adds it to your left sidebar and its posts to your newsfeed.

## How do I find all available groups?

1. Click **Groups** in the left sidebar.
2. Browse the groups directory. It lists every open and private group in your organisation, along with the groups you already belong to.

Secret groups never appear in the directory and do not accept access requests: the only way in is to be added by someone who manages the group. Guest accounts see only the groups they have been added to and cannot join other groups themselves.

Select the **My groups** tab to see only the groups you belong to.

![The alpine groups directory: the All, My groups, Managed by me, Following and Favorite tabs across the top with a Create new group button on the right, and four group cards below — General and Website Redesign 2025, which the viewer belongs to, Green Initiatives with See and Join links, and Management Committee with a lock icon next to its name and a Request access button](/images/communication/joining-or-asking-for-access-to-a-group/01-groups-directory.png)

## How do I join an open group?

You can browse an open group's newsfeed, files, and calendar without being a member. Joining makes you a member and adds the group to your sidebar.

### From the groups directory

Click **Join** on the group's card. To look around first, click **See**: you can browse the group and join later.

![The Green Initiatives card in the groups directory: the group name, its description, "Last activity an hour ago", a member count of 0, and the See and Join links side by side at the bottom right](/images/communication/joining-or-asking-for-access-to-a-group/02-open-group-see-and-join.png)

### From inside the group

- If you try to publish in an open group you have not joined, the message **You must be a group member to participate.** appears with a **Join the group** button.
- You can also click **Join** in the group's header.

## How do I request access to a private group?

Private groups display a lock icon next to their name, and their content stays hidden until your request is accepted.

1. Click **Request access** on the group.

![The Management Committee card in the groups directory: a padlock icon before the group name, its description, "Last activity an hour ago", a member count of 0, and a Request access button at the bottom right](/images/communication/joining-or-asking-for-access-to-a-group/03-private-group-request-access.png)

2. Wait for your request to be accepted. By default the group's managers are notified and accept or reject requests from the group's member list. Administrators can always accept a request, and in groups where all members may add and remove members, any member of the group can accept it.

To withdraw a pending request, click **Cancel request**.

## What happens when I join a group?

When you join a group:

- The group appears under **Groups** in the left sidebar, in alphabetical order.
- Its posts appear in your newsfeed automatically. Switch off **Follow** in the group's header if you want to stay a member without following its posts.
- You appear in the group's member list.

## What's Next?

- [Leaving a group](/en/communication/leaving-a-group)
- [The General Group](/en/communication/the-general-group)
- [Creating a group](/en/communication/creating-a-group)
- [Inviting members to join a group](/en/communication/inviting-members-to-join-a-group)
- [Archive a group](/en/communication/archive-a-group)