Can not set reminder for private channels

[JanMalte]

Summary

Reminders for private channels is not supported. I can set the reminder, but it never gets posted.

Steps to reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Create a private channel
2. Set a reminder for the channel
3. Nothing happens at the set time

Expected behavior

The reminder should be posted to the private channel

Observed behavior (that appears unintentional)

The reminder is set, but doesn't get posted

Server configuration

Mattermost version:
Mattermost Version: 5.21.0
Database Schema Version: 5.21.0
Database: postgres

Remind version:
Remind Bot (com.github.scottleedavis.mattermost-plugin-remind - 0.4.4)

Mattermost server logs

{"level":"error","ts":1592403796.264903,"caller":"mlog/sugar.go:23","msg":"failed to find target user @channel","plugin_id":"com.github.scottleedavis.mattermost-plugin-remind"} {"level":"error","ts":1592403933.994252,"caller":"mlog/sugar.go:23","msg":"fail to get channel SqlChannelStore.GetByName: Channel does not exist, teamId=hthgqqkffbn6ffbjx3sgqma6mh, name=it-intern","plugin_id":"com.github.scottleedavis.mattermost-plugin-remind"}

[olivierlambert]

Same problem here :)

[scastillo]

I haven't double-checked the implementation but it seems it may be related to this: mattermost/mattermost#16245

I'm very interested in solving this so if anyone is working on a workaround I would really appreciate if you let me know. I can collab to get it done.

[olivierlambert]

The only workaround I found is to use it for… public channels :(

@scastillo keep me posted if you find anything!

[scottleedavis]

Happy to help resolve this.

[Hespian]

Is there any update on this? We're having the same problem and all our channels are private so we can't use channel reminders at all (except for Town Square of course)

[tls-fledoux]

Hi all. I found a solution for this issue. You just have to add the bot account ( @RemindBot created during installation) on your private channel like a regular user. ( "Invite People" on your server + "Add new members" on the private channel ). Then just use the /remind ~privateChannel "message" command. Works fine for me :)

[scottleedavis]

thank you @tls-fledoux . closing this as fixed.

[olivierlambert]

I don't have such bot in my installation 🤔
I will reinstall the plugin.

[JanMalte]

I could not add the user remindbot or @remindbot as they are not available in the "Add user" popup.
They are not real users but Bot Accounts

[tls-fledoux]

Here is the procedure I followed : In the dropdown menu on the top-left corner, select "Invite People".

I was able to "invite" the bot account on the server (auto-accepted)

Then the bot account appears in the "Add user" menu on channels.