> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-angular-v5-docs-update.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search Messages

> Add full-text message search across conversations with result routing in CometChat Android UI Kit.

<Accordion title="Quick Reference">
  | Field          | Value                                                                                           |
  | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
  | Packages       | `com.cometchat:chatuikit-kotlin-android` · `com.cometchat:chatuikit-compose-android`            |
  | Key components | `CometChatSearch`, `CometChatMessageList`, `CometChatMessageComposer`, `CometChatMessageHeader` |
  | Purpose        | Full-text message search across conversations with result routing and navigation                |
  | Sample app     | [GitHub](https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v6/sample-app-kotlin)        |
  | Related        | [Search Component](/ui-kit/android/v6/search), [All Guides](/ui-kit/android/v6/guide-overview)  |
</Accordion>

Search Messages lets users locate specific messages across conversations and groups using keyword search, then navigate directly to the result.

Before starting, complete the [Getting Started](/ui-kit/android/v6/getting-started) guide.

***

## Components

| Component / Class          | Role                                                     |
| :------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CometChatSearch`          | Main search interface with filter chips and result lists |
| `CometChatMessageList`     | Displays messages in the selected conversation           |
| `CometChatMessageComposer` | Message input for the selected conversation              |
| `CometChatMessageHeader`   | Header bar showing conversation context                  |

***

## Integration Steps

### 1. Add CometChatSearch to your layout

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Kotlin (XML Views)">
    ```xml activity_search.xml lines theme={null}
    <com.cometchat.uikit.kotlin.presentation.search.ui.CometChatSearch
        android:id="@+id/cometchat_search"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent" />
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Jetpack Compose">
    ```kotlin SearchScreen.kt lines theme={null}
    import com.cometchat.uikit.compose.presentation.search.ui.CometChatSearch

    @Composable
    fun SearchScreen(navController: NavController) {
        CometChatSearch(
            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
            onConversationClick = { conversation ->
                navController.navigate("messages/${Gson().toJson(conversation)}")
            },
            onMessageClick = { message ->
                if (message.receiverType == CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_USER) {
                    navController.navigate("messages/user/${(message.receiver as User).uid}/${message.id}")
                } else {
                    navController.navigate("messages/group/${(message.receiver as Group).guid}/${message.id}")
                }
            }
        )
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

### 2. Handle conversation result clicks

When a user taps a conversation result, navigate to the message view for that conversation.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Kotlin (XML Views)">
    ```kotlin SearchActivity.kt lines theme={null}
    val search: CometChatSearch = findViewById(R.id.cometchat_search)

    search.setOnConversationClicked { view, position, conversation ->
        val intent = Intent(this, ChatActivity::class.java)
        intent.putExtra("conversation", conversation)
        startActivity(intent)
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Jetpack Compose">
    ```kotlin SearchScreen.kt lines theme={null}
    // Handled inline via onConversationClick lambda in the CometChatSearch composable above
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

### 3. Handle message result clicks

When a user taps a message result, navigate to the conversation and scroll to that message.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Kotlin (XML Views)">
    ```kotlin SearchActivity.kt lines theme={null}
    search.setOnMessageClicked { view, position, message ->
        val intent = Intent(this, ChatActivity::class.java)
        if (message.receiverType == CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_USER) {
            intent.putExtra("uid", (message.receiver as User).uid)
        } else {
            intent.putExtra("guid", (message.receiver as Group).guid)
        }
        intent.putExtra("messageId", message.id)
        startActivity(intent)
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Jetpack Compose">
    ```kotlin SearchScreen.kt lines theme={null}
    // Handled inline via onMessageClick lambda in the CometChatSearch composable above
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

### 4. Scope search to a specific conversation (optional)

Restrict search results to a single user or group conversation.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Kotlin (XML Views)">
    ```kotlin lines theme={null}
    // Scope to a specific user conversation
    search.setUid("alice-uid")

    // Or scope to a specific group conversation
    search.setGuid("group-guid")
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Jetpack Compose">
    ```kotlin lines theme={null}
    // Scope to a specific user conversation
    CometChatSearch(
        uid = "alice-uid",
        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
        onConversationClick = { /* handle click */ },
        onMessageClick = { /* handle click */ }
    )

    // Or scope to a specific group conversation
    CometChatSearch(
        guid = "group-guid",
        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
        onConversationClick = { /* handle click */ },
        onMessageClick = { /* handle click */ }
    )
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

### 5. Configure search filters (optional)

Control which filter chips appear.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Kotlin (XML Views)">
    ```kotlin lines theme={null}
    search.setSearchFilters(
        listOf(
            UIKitConstants.SearchFilter.MESSAGES,
            UIKitConstants.SearchFilter.CONVERSATIONS
        )
    )
    search.setInitialSearchFilter(UIKitConstants.SearchFilter.MESSAGES)
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Jetpack Compose">
    ```kotlin lines theme={null}
    import com.cometchat.uikit.core.constants.SearchFilter

    CometChatSearch(
        searchFilters = listOf(
            SearchFilter.UNREAD,
            SearchFilter.GROUPS,
            SearchFilter.PHOTOS,
            SearchFilter.VIDEOS
        ),
        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
        onConversationClick = { /* handle click */ },
        onMessageClick = { /* handle click */ }
    )
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Feature Matrix

| Feature              | Kotlin (XML Views)                 | Jetpack Compose                           |
| :------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
| Search interface     | `CometChatSearch` XML element      | `CometChatSearch()` composable            |
| Conversation results | `setOnConversationClicked`         | `onConversationClick` lambda              |
| Message results      | `setOnMessageClicked`              | `onMessageClick` lambda                   |
| Scoped search        | `setUid()` / `setGuid()`           | `uid` / `guid` parameters                 |
| Filter chips         | `setSearchFilters()`               | `searchFilters` parameter                 |
| Custom views         | `setEmptyView()`, `setErrorView()` | `emptyView`, `errorView` composable slots |

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Search" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/ui-kit/android/v6/search">
    The search component reference
  </Card>

  <Card title="Message List" icon="messages" href="/ui-kit/android/v6/message-list">
    Display messages in a conversation
  </Card>

  <Card title="All Guides" icon="book" href="/ui-kit/android/v6/guide-overview">
    Browse all feature and formatter guides
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sample App" icon="github" href="https://github.com/cometchat/cometchat-uikit-android/tree/v6/sample-app-kotlin">
    Full working sample application on GitHub
  </Card>
</CardGroup>