We require approval for all new users. But we need some users to fix issues with their registration information before approval. Can requesting users see the messages from an admin prior to approving their access?

Welcome @jsweezy! [image] Jeremy : Can requesting users see the messages from an admin prior to approving their access? As far as I’m aware no. Since if a user could message you on your site without being approved first it would defeat the point. A user waiting to be approved gets this email [image]Configuring and managing the sign-up flow with user approval A moderator must manually approve your new account before you can access this forum. You’ll get an email when your account is approved!

There needs to be a staging area where users waiting on approval can get messages from the administrators only. We need more information than some users are providing.

An easy work around. Approve user and silence the user. Include in the reason what they need to fix. If self hosted this plugin maybe of interest [image] Allow-pm-to-staff Plugin information_source Summary Allow all users to PM Staff hammer_and_wrench Repository Link https://github.com/pfaffman/discourse-allow-pm-to-staff open_book Install Guide How to install plugins in Discourse Features Allow users to send a PM to staff even if they would not otherwise be able to send a PM. Configuration allow_pm_to_staff_enabled–Enables the plugin (default true) allow_pm_allowed_pm_groups–Set groups who can receive PMs from all users (default “staff”). S… You would need to ask the DeV. But might also work for your purpose

But I don’t want the user to also see anything in the forum either until they are approved.

[image] Feel lack of a feature in "must approve users" Support There is the option to reject the user and send them an email saying why, if that’s any help? [reject user] It’s part of the delete user option. [image] Feel lack of a feature in "must approve users" Support I think the intended flow is to give them the reasons why approval has not been granted and encourage them to sign up again, taking the feedback into consideration. I think it can work quite well if you give good feedback on what’s needed. Having a few templates handy can save a bit of time for that too.

You could use category permissions. Add all approved users to a Group. Change your category settings Delete Everyone See/Create/reply Add Approved Group see/create/reply Using this method makes Silencing unessary. Not sure if unapproved users can for example change user fields that are editable. If needing to hide more than just categories. Custom CSS that if not in Approved group Display none.

You could set group permissions so that they couldn’t see anything until they got added to the approved group. You can’t receive a message if you are not a user. There could be a way (maybe a plugin?) to make them staged users so you could email them. I think a plugin that created a staged user when they created an account might work? Or maybe staged users and must approve users are incompatible.

Admin Message Users before Access Approval?

Product Support

Heliosurge (Dan DeMontmorency) June 25, 2024, 7:36pm 2

Welcome to Meta!

I believe so as they would have activated their account by email or used an Invite link.

Easiest way to test. Create a test user and see how it works.

Topic		Replies	Views
"x users waiting for approval" PM to administrators is not marked as read when users are approved Product Support	0	113	January 11, 2026
How can staff interact with not-yet-approved users? Product Support	3	572	September 7, 2020
Expose the messages UI to all users, regardless of permissions to send DMs Feature	1	196	July 31, 2025
Users waiting for approval message recipients Feature moderation	9	1470	June 25, 2024
Emailed administrator notification - new users awaiting approval Product Support	9	2393	August 29, 2020

Admin Message Users before Access Approval?

Related topics