# Admin Message Users before Access Approval?
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [June 25, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652 "2024-06-25T19:28:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jsweezy](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jsweezy)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/1 "2024-06-25T19:28:31Z")
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?
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/2 "2024-06-25T19:36:32Z")
Welcome to :discourse: 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.
---
### Author:  [@ondrej](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ondrej)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/3 "2024-06-25T21:14:58Z")
Welcome @jsweezy!
> [@jsweezy](#):
>
> 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
> [@Configuring and managing the sign-up flow with user approval](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-and-managing-the-sign-up-flow-with-user-approval/112128/1):
>
> A moderator must manually approve your new account before you can access this forum. You’ll get an email when your account is approved!
---
### Author:  [@jsweezy](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jsweezy)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/4 "2024-06-25T21:29:02Z")
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.
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/5 "2024-06-25T21:31:43Z")
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
> [@Allow-pm-to-staff](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-pm-to-staff/260946):
>
> information_sourceSummary Allow all users to PM Staffhammer_and_wrenchRepository Link [https://github.com/pfaffman/discourse-allow-pm-to-staff](https://github.com/pfaffman/discourse-allow-pm-to-staff)open_bookInstall Guide [How to install plugins in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-in-discourse/19157)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
---
### Author:  [@jsweezy](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jsweezy)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/6 "2024-06-25T21:49:56Z")
But I don’t want the user to also see anything in the forum either until they are approved.
---
### Author:  [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/7 "2024-06-25T21:53:26Z")
> [@Feel lack of a feature in "must approve users"](https://meta.discourse.org/t/feel-lack-of-a-feature-in-must-approve-users/283827/3):
>
> There is the option to reject the user and send them an email saying why, if that’s any help? It’s part of the delete user option.
> [@Feel lack of a feature in "must approve users"](https://meta.discourse.org/t/feel-lack-of-a-feature-in-must-approve-users/283827/6):
>
> 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.
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/8 "2024-06-25T21:57:25Z")
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.
---
### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-message-users-before-access-approval/313652/9 "2024-06-25T22:01:53Z")
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.