Convert a channel to private or public

When you create a channel, you can choose to make it either public or private. Public channels are best for sharing information that anyone can find and read, while private channels are meant for discussions that shouldn't be open to everyone. If you need to change this setting later, you can convert a channel to private or public.

Keep in mind

• Files shared in a channel that is converted to public will also become public. Once made public, files will remain public even if the channel is converted back to private.
• Slack Connect channels can't be converted to public if they're private in the organization that owns the channel. Otherwise, when you convert a Slack Connect channel, it will only be converted for the organization that made the change.
• The #general channel can't be converted to private.

Note: On the Business+ and Enterprise Grid plans, owners and admins can convert channels to private with channel management tools.

Convert a channel 

When you convert a channel, a message will post in the channel to let members know it's been converted.

Convert to private

Convert to public

1. From your desktop, open the channel you'd like to make private.
2. Click the channel name in the conversation header.
   
3. Select the Settings tab.
4. Scroll down and click Change to a private channel. 
5. Click Change to Private to confirm. 

By default, owners, admins, and Channel Managers can convert a channel to private, but owners can restrict this. If you can't convert a channel to private, find an owner and ask for help.

1. From your desktop, open the channel you'd like to make public.
2. Click the channel name in the conversation header.
   
3. Select the Settings tab.
4. Scroll down and click Change to a public channel. 
5. Click Change to Public to confirm. 

By default, Workspace Owners, Org Owners, and Org Admins can convert private channels to public, but owners can restrict this. If you can't convert a channel to public, find an owner and ask for help.

Who can use this feature?

• By default, Workspace Owners/Admins, Org Owners/Admins, and Channel Managers can convert a channel to private.
  Workspace Owners and Org Owners/Admins can convert a channel to public.
• Available on all plans