Finalsite's enhanced CommHQ app now offers an advanced, streamlined solution for managing and communicating across multiple platforms while on the move. Seamlessly integrated with the powerful Messages XR Enterprise platform, this upgraded application empowers users with intuitive tools to oversee messaging, coordinate outreach, and stay connected—all from a single, mobile-friendly interface.
This article will help you to get started for the first time!
How to use the CommHQ app
- Create messages and send them via Phone, Email, Text, and Push Notification.
- Add posts to Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds.
- Cancel messages from the Communications HQ app.
- Set messages to be sent as an emergency message, or to be sent during specific start and end delivery times.
- Translate messages into different languages.
Step 1: Download your school or district's new mobile app
Are you an iOS/Apple or Android user? Select your instructions below for how to add the app to any mobile device.
Search in your app store for the CommHQ app!
- To download the new CommHQ app on your iOS/Apple device, start by opening the Apple App Store.
- Search for the app with the search term, "CommHQ".
- Select and download your app by tapping the Get button next to your app and clicking Install if needed. You may need to enter your Apple ID password to authorize the download.
- Open up the app on your device.
- Enter your district location to get access to your mobile CommHQ app.
If these instructions have changed or are not what you see on your end, click "Download apps and games on your iPhone or iPad" to see more current instructions.
- To download the new mobile app on an Android device, open the Google Play Store.
- Search for the app with the search term, "CommHQ".
- Select the app from the search results and tap to download. Click Install to start the download and install process.
- Review the Permissions and click Accept to proceed.
- Once the app is installed on your Android device, open it directly from the Play Store by tapping the Open button or find the app icon on your home screen.
- Enter your district location to get access to your mobile CommHQ app.
If these instructions have changed or are not what you see on your end, click "Get Android apps & digital content from the Google Play Store" to see more current instructions.
Step 2: Log in to your CommHQ app
Enter your Username and then Password or click Login with Google to get logged in.
Don't know your login credentials?
- Reach out to your district administrator or Finalsite Support for assistance with getting logged in.
Step 3: Tour the CommHQ home screen
Once you are logged in, you will see your name at the top of the CommHQ app home screen. This screen has some of the main tasks you will need to accomplish, putting them right at your fingertips.
Settings/Profile bubble
In this area, you can see your name and role, logout, and access some important items such as:
- Rate this app: Provide feedback to help us improve our services to our customers.
- Contact support: Need to get in touch with support? Do it directly through the app.
- Privacy policy: View our privacy policy to learn about how important security is to us at Finalsite.
Create message
In this area, you will perform all of your message management and creation tasks. Learn more in the article, "Create and send messages in the CommHQ app with Messages XR Enterprise."
Tools
Now we'll move on to the Tools area of the home screen.
Saved messages
Here you can access all of the messages you have organized and categorized via your Messages XR Enterprise platform's Library tab.
- These same messages appear in your Saved messages area of the message creation screen.
- Once you have created a message draft on the desktop platform, the draft will then be able to appear in your Drafts folder.
Reports
Once you send a message, you can track sent message statistics in the Reports area.
In the Reports area, view all messages sent from either your Messages XR Enterprise platform or your CommHQ app, organized into the following tabs:
- My messages: View and track any messages sent by you.
- Other messages: Analyze all messages sent out from your organization.
Learn more about analyzing reports, including a full understanding of what the symbols and colors you see in the Reports screen can tell you about your message data by checking out the article, "Analyze Report data in the CommHQ app."
Directory
Use the Directory area of your CommHQ app to quickly find people in your district and access their contact information.
- View and search for users by name or browse by school or role.
- Contact users directly from a device.
- Access valuable student information right at your fingertips such as Upcoming Assignments, Classes, and Attendance.
- View the relationship between students and parents.
- Filter your search with the following tabs:
- Schools
- Staff
- Parents
- Students
To get started, click the Directory button on your home screen.
Learn more about using the Directory in the article, "Manage users in the Directory area of your CommHQ app."
School status
The School Status area in the CommHQ app empowers administrators to instantly update and share a school’s operational status—such as Open, Closed, Lockdown, Delay, or Early Release—with their entire community. With just a few taps, they can select affected schools, add a short explanation, and submit the update. The app then prompts them to notify all associated users, ensuring consistent, real-time communication. It’s a simple yet powerful way to keep families and staff informed on the go.
Tap the School status button to open up the School status area where you can set the current status for a school or multiple schools in your district all at the same time.
Learn more about how this works in the article, "Set a school status in the CommHQ app."