Why can't I chat in the game? Why is chat turned off on the server?
The in-game chat might be disabled.
To enable it:
Join any server
Tap the Menu icon in the top-right corner
Locate the Chat icon above the Player List in the top right
Tap the icon to activate chat. Tap again to deactivate
This setting can only be changed while on a server — it's not available from the Lobby. It's saved on your device, so it applies to every server, but it resets if you reinstall the game.
If the chat box is gone completely. It may have been hidden in the button layout editor. In the Lobby, open Settings → Controls & HUD → Control Buttons → Edit and tap DEFAULT to bring it back — note that this resets your whole button layout.
Modes without chat. Chat only works in regular survival. There's no chat in the Sandbox or in arcade modes.
Clan tab. If you're in a clan, the chat has two tabs — Global and Clan. On Solo, Duo and Trio servers there's no Clan tab, only Global chat.
If chat is on but your messages don't go through:
Messages with emoji or special symbols aren't sent. Use plain text.
Long messages are cut to 64 characters.
Sending messages too fast can get you kicked from the server.
If a moderator has muted you, other players won't see your messages.