# Verifying Users

### Verify a User

Matrix-Synapse/Element provides the ability to establish trust of another user's keys. This mechanism will then warn you if that person's account gets compromised and sends you messages from a session they have not verified.

#### Check for Unverified Sessions

##### From yourself

To check your own sessions, login to Element Web, Element Desktop, or Element Web. Open Settings and go to "Sessions". Element will warn your if you have a unverified session

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/ThTixR13ZcCdUIz6-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/ThTixR13ZcCdUIz6-image.png)

You can action this warning by scrolling down to find the exact device.

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/MQBgGUjRBFMzaAup-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/MQBgGUjRBFMzaAup-image.png)

If you wish to remove the unverified device, you can click "Manage this session", then log in with your Firehawk-Systems account.

You can then click "Remove device"

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/PFFtAHXjXsUKUKYR-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/PFFtAHXjXsUKUKYR-image.png)

##### From other users

It's important to be vigilant for unverified sessions among your contacts. Element will clearly warn you if a chat contains participants with unverified sessions by a red alert shield in the following places:

Next to the message input box

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/GfSLEPMNXXsLTl60-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/GfSLEPMNXXsLTl60-image.png)

In the chat detail screen

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/B3s670e4eMI9DKSl-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/B3s670e4eMI9DKSl-image.png)

In the chat's "People" list, next to the participants who has a unverified session

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/UJNANIdTjsaowOL7-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/UJNANIdTjsaowOL7-image.png)

And with each message from a unverified session.

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/GEoo1VcxUDECHn8s-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/GEoo1VcxUDECHn8s-image.png)

#### Establish Trust

All new users are in a neutral trust state initially. Select a chat of a user you wish to verify

##### Element Web/Desktop

Open settings by either pressing the info bubble

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/Xb4mvqRzQZiFoAxz-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/Xb4mvqRzQZiFoAxz-image.png)

Click on "People" then click on the user's name.

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/WlKJduomsFTrSUcf-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/WlKJduomsFTrSUcf-image.png)

A "Verify User" button will be visible under their profile picture

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/4m93vQRd585WTXZ1-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/4m93vQRd585WTXZ1-image.png)

##### Element X

Open the settings by clicking on the chat name

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/wqoBfLP7FjlxV1A0-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/wqoBfLP7FjlxV1A0-image.png)

Scroll down to "Profile"

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/cCVmXMGrBooclAfr-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/cCVmXMGrBooclAfr-image.png)

Select "Verify user"

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/xSh3UKRJzoRtDaYV-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/xSh3UKRJzoRtDaYV-image.png)

#### Complete Verification

The other user will receive a verification request.

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/mPs4bmjPGhs2ax0A-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/mPs4bmjPGhs2ax0A-image.png)

They will then be presented with supported methods of verification.

Some devices support QR-code verification, which requires the device requesting verification to scan the QR code on the other, implying proximity. Another method is emoji verification, which exchanges a key in the background and requires matching the set of emojis on each device to ensure the integrity of the exchange remained.

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/5uza29SSIXOyfPIB-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/5uza29SSIXOyfPIB-image.png)

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/vFAC5feE326AIdsJ-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/vFAC5feE326AIdsJ-image.png)

When both parties press "They match", the verification process will conclude

[![image.png](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/scaled-1680-/076Ea2wmTWWbWf5j-image.png)](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/076Ea2wmTWWbWf5j-image.png)

### You have completed Verification of a Element user