Slack: Convert a Channel to Private or Public

Environment

U-M Slack

Issue

• How do I change a public channel to a private channel in Slack?
• How do I change a private channel to a public channel in Slack?

Resolution

Public to private

Only Workspace Admins and Channel Managers (i.e., the user(s) who created the channel or was assigned as one by another Channel Manager/Workspace Admin) have the ability to change a public channel to a private one in Slack.

1. Open the channel you'd like to make private.
2. Click the channel name at the top and select the Settings tab.
3. Scroll down and click Change to a private channel.
4. Click Change to private to confirm.

Note that Workspace Admins can restrict the creation of private channels in a workspace they manage. If you can't convert a channel, reach out to a Workspace Admin for your workspace.

Private to public

U-M Slack users are restricted from converting private channels to public ones in workspaces. However, Workspace Admins can reach out to the ITS Service Center to request a private channel be converted to public in a workspace they manage.

(When a Workspace Admin or Channel Manager attempts to convert, the option will be greyed out in the channel settings with the message, "Contact a workspace owner.")

Additional Information

Slack Help Center article: Convert a channel to private or public

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.