10 simple Google Chat tips and tricks to try today
Google Chat is the successor of Hangouts and is now a part of Google’s extensive suite of Workspace products. Besides regular users, Google is also targeting businesses and enterprises with Chat.Google Chat smart replies now workwith group messages and spaces. The feature is currently limited to the web app but may soon be available on Android smartphones. The Spaces feature is for having productive conversations from which you can assign tasks, share files, and create new calendar events.
If you haven’t used Google’s latest messaging service, go through our guide onhow to use Google Chatto get an overview of its features. After that, check out these simple Google Chat tips and tricks to get started with the service. These tips are enough to earn Google Chat a space on the home screen of thebest Android tabletsand phones.
1Receive email notifications for unread messages
You can set Google Chat to email you for unread direct messages or @mentions. This ensures you don’t miss any meaningful conversation that you should have seen in the first place.
you could turn on (or turn off) email notifications for unread Google Chat messages from the web.
2Switch to Dark mode
Do you prefer using Gmail with the light theme on the web or your phone? You don’t have to use Google Chat with the light theme. You can set the messaging service to dark mode if you wish.
On Google Chat for the web, you’ll find the option to switch to a dark theme under the Settings menu. In the Android app, tapSettingsfrom the hamburger menu. Then tapThemeand selectDark.
3Quickly switch between multiple accounts
You can switch between multiple accounts on the Google Chat app for Android and iOS using a simple gesture. Swipe down using one finger on your profile photo in the app’s upper-right corner. The same gesture is also available on the Gmail and Drive mobile apps.
This shouldn’t be so difficult
4Mute chat notifications using Do Not Disturb
Are you busy in a meeting, but your phone or PC constantly buzzes with messages in Google Chat? Or do you want to work in peace on your laptop for some time without new notifications coming in? You can temporarily mute incoming notifications in such situations using Google Chat’s Do Not Disturb feature.
Moreover, you can also set a do not disturb schedule, which allows you to mute notifications during your lunch break hours or while you are away over the weekend. This feature is available for both the mobile app and the web app.
When you use Google Chat for the web, you’ll find the Do Not Disturb options in the Settingsmenu.
If you want to reign in the notifications you receive on a daily basis, check out our guide onhow to manage notifications on your Android phone.
5Create a space
If you use Google Chat in your organization, consider creating a space for group conversations. it’s possible to thread conversations, assign tasks, and share files inside a space. A space is like a group chat on steroids where you can do much more.
You can create a new space on mobile by tapping theNew chatbutton and selecting theCreate a spaceoption. Name the space and add an emoji as its display picture if you wish. You can then invite people to join the space.
6Add to Tasks
When you’re having an important conversation in Google Chat, you’re able to add any message as a task if you need to get back to it later. Long press a message and select theAdd to Tasksoption. You’ll find this option on the web by clicking the three-dot menu beside the message. The message then appears in your Google Tasks to-do list.
Check out some of thebest Google Tasks tips and tricksif you use the to-do service heavily to keep you on schedule.
7Auto delete old messages
When having a private conversation in Google Chat and you don’t want to leave a trace of it, turn off the message history for that conversation. Chat automatically clears the chat log after 24 hours. Open the conversation for which you want to turn off the history, select the recipient’s name, and clickTurn off history.
8Pin conversations
Is there a Google Chat conversation that you frequently access? it’s possible to pin it to the top for quick and easy access instead of struggling to find it from your list of conversations. On mobile, long press a chat and select thePinoption. On the web, click the three-dot menu beside a chat and selectPin.
9Use advanced search
Similar to Gmail, Google Chat offers advanced search chips and suggestions to help you find the content you are looking for. When you search in Google Chats, you can narrow down the results based on the type of attachment, conversations, dates, links, and more.
If you are a heavy Chat user, the advanced search functionality makes it a breeze to find what you’re searching for in no time.
10Open chats in windowed mode
If you use Google Chat to talk to multiple people at once on your PC or laptop, open the chat window in a windowed mode. This way, you can have multiple conversations at the same time without constantly switching between chat tabs.
Google Chat is a worthy Slack alternative
Google Chat is not as feature-rich as the othermessaging apps available for Android phones. Still, it trumps them with its deep integration with Gmail and other Google services. Moreover, thanks to its partnership with a leading collaborative interoperability solutions provider, Mio, you will soon be able to use Google Chats with majorplatforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Spaces is another helpful feature for businesses that rely on Google Tasks, Calendar, and Meet. If you haven’t already, considersetting up and using Google Spacesto supercharge your team conversations. And with Google Chat integration, you might switch from Slack to Google’s solution in your workplace.
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