matrix-org · andybalaam · Oct 23, 2025 · Nov 14, 2025 · HarHarLinks · Nov 14, 2025
@@ -57,6 +57,77 @@ Click on "Join the discussion": you can now participate in the room!
 
 ![](room-participate.png)
 
+## Hiding images by default
+
+In public rooms, sometimes people post inappropriate content, including images
+you don't want to see. Hopefully a room's moderators will tidy things up quite
+quickly, but many people prefer to make images in public rooms hidden, allowing
+them to show individual images when they are ready.
+
+### In Fractal
+
+In Fractal, images in public rooms are hidden by default. You can check and
+adjust this in Account Settings.
+
+![](fractal_menu_settings.png)
+
+Choose Safety, and find "Media Previews". Make sure "Show only in private rooms"
+is selected.
+
+![](fractal_settings_safety.png)
+
+Now images will be hidden by default. You can make them visible by clicking on
+"Click to show preview".
+
+![](fractal_show_image.png)
+
+You can re-hide them by choosing the "eye" icon in the corner of the image.
+
+![](fractal_hide_image.png)
+
+### In Element X
+
+In Element X, you can hide images in public rooms in Settings, by tapping on
+your avatar.
+
+![](element_x_main.png)
+
+Choose Advanced Settings.
+
+![](element_x_settings.png)
+
+Under "Show media in timeline" choose "In private rooms"
+
+![](element_x_advanced_settings.png)
+
+Now images will be hidden by default. You can make them visible by clicking on
+"Show".
+
+![](element_x_show_image.png)
+
+To hide an image after it has been shown, go back to the room list and re-enter
+the room.
+
+### In Element Web
+
+In Element Web, you can hide images in public rooms in Settings.
+
+![](element_menu_settings.png)
+
+Choose Preferences, and scroll down to Moderation and safety. Click "In private
+rooms" under "Show media in timeline".
+
+![](element_settings_preferences_safety.png)
+
+Now images will be hidden by default. You can make them visible by clicking on
+"Show image".
+
+![](element_show_image.png)
+
+You can re-hide them by choosing the "eye" icon when you hover over the image.
+
+![](element_hide_image.png)
+
 ## Browsing the public directory
 
 Joining a specific room is handy when you know exactly what you want to discuss

diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_hide_image.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_hide_image.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_menu_settings.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_menu_settings.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_settings_preferences_safety.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_settings_preferences_safety.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_show_image.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_show_image.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_advanced_settings.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_advanced_settings.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_main.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_main.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_settings.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_settings.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_show_image.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/element_x_show_image.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_hide_image.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_hide_image.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_menu_settings.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_menu_settings.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_settings_safety.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_settings_safety.png
diff --git a/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_show_image.png b/content/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/fractal_show_image.png