> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-audit-content-webhooks.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Typing Indicators
> Send and receive real-time typing indicators using the CometChat Flutter SDK.
| Field | Value |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Key Classes | `TypingIndicator` |
| Key Methods | `CometChat.startTyping()`, `CometChat.endTyping()` |
| Receiver Types | `CometChatReceiverType.user`, `CometChatReceiverType.group` |
| Listener Events | `onTypingStarted`, `onTypingEnded` |
| Prerequisites | SDK initialized, user logged in |
```dart theme={null}
// Start typing indicator to user
CometChat.startTyping(receiverUid: "UID", receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.user);
// Start typing indicator to group
CometChat.startTyping(receiverUid: "GUID", receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.group);
// Stop typing indicator
CometChat.endTyping(receiverUid: "UID", receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.user);
// Listen for typing indicators
CometChat.addMessageListener("listenerId", MessageListener(
onTypingStarted: (TypingIndicator typingIndicator) { },
onTypingEnded: (TypingIndicator typingIndicator) { },
));
```
Typing indicators let users know when someone is actively typing a message, creating a more engaging real-time chat experience.
**Available via:** SDK | [REST API](https://api-explorer.cometchat.com) | [UI Kits](/ui-kit/flutter/overview)
## Send a Typing Indicator
*In other words, as a sender, how do I let the recipient(s) know that I'm typing?*
### Start Typing
Use `startTyping()` to notify the receiver that the logged-in user has started typing. The receiver will receive this information in the `onTypingStarted()` method of the `MessageListener` class.
```dart theme={null}
CometChat.startTyping(
receiverUid: "UID",
receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.user,
);
```
```dart theme={null}
CometChat.startTyping(
receiverUid: "GUID",
receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.group,
);
```
`startTyping()` Parameters:
| Parameter | Type | Description | Required |
| -------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
| `receiverUid` | `String` | The `UID` of the user or `GUID` of the group to send the typing indicator to | Yes |
| `receiverType` | `String` | The type of the receiver — `CometChatReceiverType.user` or `CometChatReceiverType.group` | Yes |
`startTyping()` returns `void` — the typing indicator is sent as a fire-and-forget operation.
### Stop Typing
Use `endTyping()` to notify the receiver that the logged-in user has stopped typing. The receiver will receive this information in the `onTypingEnded()` method of the `MessageListener` class.
```dart theme={null}
CometChat.endTyping(
receiverUid: "UID",
receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.user,
);
```
```dart theme={null}
CometChat.endTyping(
receiverUid: "GUID",
receiverType: CometChatReceiverType.group,
);
```
`endTyping()` Parameters:
| Parameter | Type | Description | Required |
| -------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
| `receiverUid` | `String` | The `UID` of the user or `GUID` of the group to send the typing indicator to | Yes |
| `receiverType` | `String` | The type of the receiver — `CometChatReceiverType.user` or `CometChatReceiverType.group` | Yes |
`endTyping()` returns `void` — the typing indicator is sent as a fire-and-forget operation.
Use the `metadata` field of the `TypingIndicator` class to pass additional custom data along with the typing indicators. The metadata field is a `Map` and can be set using the `.metadata` property. This data will be received at the receiver end and can be obtained using the same property.
## Real-time Typing Indicators
*In other words, as a recipient, how do I know when someone is typing?*
Use `onTypingStarted` and `onTypingEnded` in `MessageListener` to receive [`TypingIndicator`](/sdk/reference/auxiliary#typingindicator) events.
Always remove listeners when they're no longer needed (e.g., in the `dispose()` method). Failing to remove listeners can cause memory leaks and duplicate event handling.
```dart theme={null}
CometChat.removeMessageListener("listenerId");
```
```dart theme={null}
class Class_Name with MessageListener {
//CometChat.addMessageListener("listenerId", this);
@override
void onTypingStarted(TypingIndicator typingIndicator) {
// TODO: implement onTypingStarted
}
@override
void onTypingEnded(TypingIndicator typingIndicator) {
// TODO: implement onTypingEnded
}
}
```
The received object is a `TypingIndicator` with the following fields:
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `sender` | [`User`](/sdk/reference/entities#user) | An object of the `User` class holding all the information related to the sender of the typing indicator. |
| `receiverId` | `String` | `UID` of the receiver. This is the ID of the group or the user the typing indicator is being sent to. |
| `receiverType` | `String` | Indicates if the typing indicator is to a user or a group — `CometChatReceiverType.user` or `CometChatReceiverType.group`. |
| `metadata` | `Map?` | Optional metadata to provide additional data. |
| `lastTimestamp` | `DateTime` | The timestamp of the last typing indicator event. |
***
## Next Steps
Track message delivery and read status
Send ephemeral real-time messages like live reactions