diff --git a/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts b/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts
index daa8d3869f..ed7a24fff8 100644
--- a/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ test.describe("Header section of the room list", () => {
 
         await expect(page.getByRole("menu")).toMatchScreenshot("room-list-header-compose-menu.png");
 
-        // New message should open the direct messages dialog
-        await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New message" }).click();
+        // Start chat should open the direct messages dialog
+        await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Start chat" }).click();
         await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Direct Messages" })).toBeVisible();
         await app.closeDialog();
 
diff --git a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/default-empty-room-list-linux.png b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/default-empty-room-list-linux.png
index 45d2a775ea..d47d04e9a6 100644
Binary files a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/default-empty-room-list-linux.png and b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/default-empty-room-list-linux.png differ
diff --git a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/room-panel-empty-room-list-linux.png b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/room-panel-empty-room-list-linux.png
index 250712308d..ac3f26e529 100644
Binary files a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/room-panel-empty-room-list-linux.png and b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts/room-panel-empty-room-list-linux.png differ
diff --git a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts/room-list-header-compose-menu-linux.png b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts/room-list-header-compose-menu-linux.png
index 9f501a58d4..202a83c23a 100644
Binary files a/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts/room-list-header-compose-menu-linux.png and b/playwright/snapshots/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts/room-list-header-compose-menu-linux.png differ
diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList.tsx b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList.tsx
index 031e63ac22..66d881cfdb 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 import React, { type JSX, type PropsWithChildren } from "react";
 import { Button } from "@vector-im/compound-web";
-import UserAddIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/user-add";
+import ChatIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/chat";
 import RoomIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/room";
 
 import type { RoomListViewState } from "../../../viewmodels/roomlist/RoomListViewModel";
@@ -148,8 +148,8 @@ function DefaultPlaceholder({ vm }: DefaultPlaceholderProps): JSX.Element {
                 direction="column"
                 gap="var(--cpd-space-4x)"
             >
-                <Button size="sm" kind="secondary" Icon={UserAddIcon} onClick={vm.createChatRoom}>
-                    {_t("action|new_message")}
+                <Button size="sm" kind="secondary" Icon={ChatIcon} onClick={vm.createChatRoom}>
+                    {_t("action|start_chat")}
                 </Button>
                 {vm.canCreateRoom && (
                     <Button size="sm" kind="secondary" Icon={RoomIcon} onClick={vm.createRoom}>
diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView.tsx b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView.tsx
index d66e3d28c9..86189cae4f 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import HomeIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/home";
 import PreferencesIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/preferences";
 import SettingsIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/settings";
 import VideoCallIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/video-call";
+import ChatIcon from "@vector-im/compound-design-tokens/assets/web/icons/chat";
 
 import { _t } from "../../../../languageHandler";
 import { Flex } from "../../../../shared-components/utils/Flex";
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ export function RoomListHeaderView(): JSX.Element {
                 {vm.displayComposeMenu ? (
                     <ComposeMenu vm={vm} />
                 ) : (
-                    <IconButton aria-label={_t("action|new_message")} onClick={(e) => vm.createChatRoom(e.nativeEvent)}>
+                    <IconButton aria-label={_t("action|start_chat")} onClick={(e) => vm.createChatRoom(e.nativeEvent)}>
                         <ComposeIcon color="var(--cpd-color-icon-secondary)" />
                     </IconButton>
                 )}
@@ -143,12 +144,7 @@ function ComposeMenu({ vm }: ComposeMenuProps): JSX.Element {
                 </IconButton>
             }
         >
-            <MenuItem
-                Icon={UserAddIcon}
-                label={_t("action|new_message")}
-                onSelect={vm.createChatRoom}
-                hideChevron={true}
-            />
+            <MenuItem Icon={ChatIcon} label={_t("action|start_chat")} onSelect={vm.createChatRoom} hideChevron={true} />
             {vm.canCreateRoom && (
                 <MenuItem Icon={RoomIcon} label={_t("action|new_room")} onSelect={vm.createRoom} hideChevron={true} />
             )}
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
index f14a99b510..b5a7c16e6e 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
@@ -93,7 +93,6 @@
         "maximise": "Maximise",
         "mention": "Mention",
         "minimise": "Minimise",
-        "new_message": "New message",
         "new_room": "New room",
         "new_video_room": "New video room",
         "next": "Next",
diff --git a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx
index 06215d09ca..cac0f62cba 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx
+++ b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ describe("<EmptyRoomList />", () => {
         expect(screen.getByText("No chats yet")).toBeInTheDocument();
         expect(asFragment()).toMatchSnapshot();
 
-        await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "New message" }));
+        await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Start chat" }));
         expect(vm.createChatRoom).toHaveBeenCalled();
 
         await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "New room" }));
diff --git a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx
index 41ef9b0cf1..298ca9eae3 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx
+++ b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ describe("<RoomListHeaderView />", () => {
             expect(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: "Add" })).toBeNull();
             expect(asFragment()).toMatchSnapshot();
 
-            await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "New message" }));
+            await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Start chat" }));
             expect(defaultValue.createChatRoom).toHaveBeenCalled();
         });
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ describe("<RoomListHeaderView />", () => {
             const openMenu = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" });
             await user.click(openMenu);
 
-            await user.click(screen.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New message" }));
+            await user.click(screen.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Start chat" }));
             expect(defaultValue.createChatRoom).toHaveBeenCalled();
 
             await user.click(openMenu);
diff --git a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx.snap b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx.snap
index 2c5a10680a..9722db9cba 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx.snap
+++ b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/EmptyRoomList-test.tsx.snap
@@ -200,10 +200,10 @@ exports[`<EmptyRoomList /> should not render the new room button if the user doe
           xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
         >
           <path
-            d="M10 12q-1.65 0-2.825-1.175T6 8t1.175-2.825T10 4t2.825 1.175T14 8t-1.175 2.825T10 12m-8 6v-.8q0-.85.438-1.562.437-.713 1.162-1.088a14.8 14.8 0 0 1 3.15-1.163A13.8 13.8 0 0 1 10 13q1.65 0 3.25.387 1.6.388 3.15 1.163.724.375 1.163 1.087Q18 16.35 18 17.2v.8q0 .824-.587 1.413A1.93 1.93 0 0 1 16 20H4q-.824 0-1.412-.587A1.93 1.93 0 0 1 2 18m2 0h12v-.8a.97.97 0 0 0-.5-.85q-1.35-.675-2.725-1.012a11.6 11.6 0 0 0-5.55 0Q5.85 15.675 4.5 16.35a.97.97 0 0 0-.5.85zm6-8q.825 0 1.412-.588Q12 8.826 12 8q0-.824-.588-1.412A1.93 1.93 0 0 0 10 6q-.825 0-1.412.588A1.93 1.93 0 0 0 8 8q0 .825.588 1.412Q9.175 10 10 10m7 1h2v2q0 .424.288.713.287.287.712.287.424 0 .712-.287A.97.97 0 0 0 21 13v-2h2q.424 0 .712-.287A.97.97 0 0 0 24 10a.97.97 0 0 0-.288-.713A.97.97 0 0 0 23 9h-2V7a.97.97 0 0 0-.288-.713A.97.97 0 0 0 20 6a.97.97 0 0 0-.712.287A.97.97 0 0 0 19 7v2h-2a.97.97 0 0 0-.712.287A.97.97 0 0 0 16 10q0 .424.288.713.287.287.712.287"
+            d="m1.5 21.25 1.45-4.95a10.2 10.2 0 0 1-.712-2.1A10.2 10.2 0 0 1 2 12q0-2.075.788-3.9a10.1 10.1 0 0 1 2.137-3.175q1.35-1.35 3.175-2.137A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 12 2q2.075 0 3.9.788a10.1 10.1 0 0 1 3.175 2.137q1.35 1.35 2.137 3.175A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 22 12a9.7 9.7 0 0 1-.788 3.9 10.1 10.1 0 0 1-2.137 3.175q-1.35 1.35-3.175 2.137A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 12 22q-1.125 0-2.2-.238a10.2 10.2 0 0 1-2.1-.712L2.75 22.5a.94.94 0 0 1-1-.25.94.94 0 0 1-.25-1m2.45-1.2 3.2-.95a1 1 0 0 1 .275-.062q.15-.013.275-.013.225 0 .438.038.212.036.412.137a7.4 7.4 0 0 0 1.675.6Q11.1 20 12 20q3.35 0 5.675-2.325T20 12t-2.325-5.675T12 4 6.325 6.325 4 12q0 .9.2 1.775t.6 1.675q.176.325.188.688t-.088.712z"
           />
         </svg>
-        New message
+        Start chat
       </button>
     </div>
   </div>
@@ -247,10 +247,10 @@ exports[`<EmptyRoomList /> should render the default placeholder when there is n
           xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
         >
           <path
-            d="M10 12q-1.65 0-2.825-1.175T6 8t1.175-2.825T10 4t2.825 1.175T14 8t-1.175 2.825T10 12m-8 6v-.8q0-.85.438-1.562.437-.713 1.162-1.088a14.8 14.8 0 0 1 3.15-1.163A13.8 13.8 0 0 1 10 13q1.65 0 3.25.387 1.6.388 3.15 1.163.724.375 1.163 1.087Q18 16.35 18 17.2v.8q0 .824-.587 1.413A1.93 1.93 0 0 1 16 20H4q-.824 0-1.412-.587A1.93 1.93 0 0 1 2 18m2 0h12v-.8a.97.97 0 0 0-.5-.85q-1.35-.675-2.725-1.012a11.6 11.6 0 0 0-5.55 0Q5.85 15.675 4.5 16.35a.97.97 0 0 0-.5.85zm6-8q.825 0 1.412-.588Q12 8.826 12 8q0-.824-.588-1.412A1.93 1.93 0 0 0 10 6q-.825 0-1.412.588A1.93 1.93 0 0 0 8 8q0 .825.588 1.412Q9.175 10 10 10m7 1h2v2q0 .424.288.713.287.287.712.287.424 0 .712-.287A.97.97 0 0 0 21 13v-2h2q.424 0 .712-.287A.97.97 0 0 0 24 10a.97.97 0 0 0-.288-.713A.97.97 0 0 0 23 9h-2V7a.97.97 0 0 0-.288-.713A.97.97 0 0 0 20 6a.97.97 0 0 0-.712.287A.97.97 0 0 0 19 7v2h-2a.97.97 0 0 0-.712.287A.97.97 0 0 0 16 10q0 .424.288.713.287.287.712.287"
+            d="m1.5 21.25 1.45-4.95a10.2 10.2 0 0 1-.712-2.1A10.2 10.2 0 0 1 2 12q0-2.075.788-3.9a10.1 10.1 0 0 1 2.137-3.175q1.35-1.35 3.175-2.137A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 12 2q2.075 0 3.9.788a10.1 10.1 0 0 1 3.175 2.137q1.35 1.35 2.137 3.175A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 22 12a9.7 9.7 0 0 1-.788 3.9 10.1 10.1 0 0 1-2.137 3.175q-1.35 1.35-3.175 2.137A9.7 9.7 0 0 1 12 22q-1.125 0-2.2-.238a10.2 10.2 0 0 1-2.1-.712L2.75 22.5a.94.94 0 0 1-1-.25.94.94 0 0 1-.25-1m2.45-1.2 3.2-.95a1 1 0 0 1 .275-.062q.15-.013.275-.013.225 0 .438.038.212.036.412.137a7.4 7.4 0 0 0 1.675.6Q11.1 20 12 20q3.35 0 5.675-2.325T20 12t-2.325-5.675T12 4 6.325 6.325 4 12q0 .9.2 1.775t.6 1.675q.176.325.188.688t-.088.712z"
           />
         </svg>
-        New message
+        Start chat
       </button>
       <button
         class="_button_vczzf_8 _has-icon_vczzf_57"
diff --git a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx.snap b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx.snap
index 54562d80ac..00b271185c 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx.snap
+++ b/test/unit-tests/components/views/rooms/RoomListPanel/__snapshots__/RoomListHeaderView-test.tsx.snap
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ exports[`<RoomListHeaderView /> compose menu should not display the compose menu
         </div>
       </button>
       <button
-        aria-label="New message"
+        aria-label="Start chat"
         class="_icon-button_1pz9o_8"
         data-kind="primary"
         role="button"