9 Tips to Get the Most Out of Google Chat

Although having a place in the corner of Gmail web interface, Google Chat is often not interesting. It’s a capable messaging app and packed with more features than you’d expect, including its links and more. Google programs and services are only part of his interest.

Whether you log into Google Chat every day or you’ve never really explored it, these tips help show you what it can do, from changing messages to locking your privacy — and how you can get the most out of it. It is free to use on the Interneton Androidand on iOS.

Create Your Own Site

Create your own space.

Photo: Courtesy of David Nield

In Google Chat, Spaces work like more group chats: They are places where you can easily work or discuss topics with people of your choice. Unlike public chats, Places can have names and descriptions, and can be used to provide services to specific people. File sharing is also handled very smartly in Spaces.

To create a new Space online, click the button New chat button (top left), then Create space. You are asked to give a name, and an emoji of choice to represent it, and it opens. At the same time you will find buttons for inviting new members, sharing files, and assigning tasks. Click the Space name to access its settings, including history options.

Create Your Own Chat

Google Chat supports threaded messages, so you can change things in the middle of the conversation without interrupting the main flow. These threads are available in one-on-one chats, group chats, and Places.

Hover over a message (web) or long press the message (mobile) for the option to reply in a new thread. This symbol looks like a shiny thread that you can use for sewing.

Write Important Messages

Write messages from your favorite ones to the top.

Photo: Courtesy of David Nield

Private chats can easily get lost in the pile in any messaging app, but Google Chat lets you put important conversations at the top of the list. On the Internet, click the three dots next to the chat in the left column to find it Pin perhaps. On a mobile phone, tap and hold a chat in the message view. (Click the speech bubble icon below to explain.)

Put Conversations in Columns

Another way to organize your conversations on Google Chat is to organize them into categories – just like you would use folders in emails. You can have sections for friends, family, and colleagues for example, or other social sections in your group. These sections organize your chat lists online and in mobile apps.

Online, click the three dots next to chat in the left column, then select it Move the conversation. You can select an existing field or create a new one. You can’t create partitions on a mobile phone, but you can view them if you switch to a properly named partition; Click the two-corner icon below the main chat list.

Prepare Future Messages

Send your messages at a later time.

Photo: Courtesy of David Nield

Google Chat comes with a built-in messaging system, even on the web app. Type your message in the text box, then click the little arrow in the bottom left of the default Send button, and you can choose a future time and date. Your messages can be sent up to 120 days in advance.

Use Google Chat With Other Google Apps

One of the advantages of using Google Chat as a messaging app is how it integrates with other Google products: You can easily attach links to Google Calendar, for example, or files from Google Drive. It is also possible to create a task in Google Tasks from a message, by clicking on the three dots next to it (on the web) or long pressing (in mobile applications).

Another option you will see in the same pop-up list is Send to inbox. This sends the message (and several surrounding messages) to your Gmail inbox, in a formatted email. You can use this to send important information such as addresses or phone numbers to your inbox, for example, or save photos you want to keep.

Set Your Values

Keep your contacts on track with your style.

Photo: Courtesy of David Nield

Setting up your profile on Google Chat is an easy way to let your contacts know when you’re close, away from your desk, or away for a long time. On the web you can click the icon in the upper right corner to change it, and on mobile you can click the menu button (top left), then Add features or the down arrow.

Edit Messages You’ve Sent

If you look at a message on the web, or long press on a message on a mobile phone, you will see the option to edit it (pen icon). You can use this feature to edit your post – it’s very useful if you want to correct an error, for example – but other participants in the chat will be able to see that you’ve changed.

Protect Your Privacy

Stop unwanted contact via Google Chat.

Photo: Courtesy of David Nield

You don’t want anyone and everyone to be able to take your Google email address and start helping you via Google Chat, and there are safeguards you can put in place to prevent this from happening. You can set up a messaging app so that only people in your contact list can communicate through the Google Chat platform.

From the web, click on the cog icon (top right), then choose Access restrictions to find options related to individual chats and Locations.

In the Android and iOS apps, press the Menu button (top left), then Favorites. Then you will see Who can send you a message? and Who can invite you to Spaces? documents that you can edit if needed.