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    How to Use Google Chat for Messaging

    Google Chat is built into Gmail and works like a text messaging app for your Google account — great for quick conversations with family or coworkers.

    4 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Find Google Chat inside Gmail

    ~17s
    Open Gmail in a web browser. Look at the left sidebar — below your inbox folders, you'll see sections labeled "Chat" and "Spaces." If you don't see them, click the gear icon (Settings) > See All Settings > Chat and Meet tab, and make sure Chat is turned on.
    2

    Start a one-on-one conversation

    ~23s
    In Gmail, click the + icon next to "Chat" in the left sidebar. Type a person's name or Gmail address. Click their name from the suggestions that appear. A chat window opens — type your message in the text field at the bottom and press Enter to send.

    Quick Tip

    You can also open a full-screen Chat experience at chat.google.com instead of using the Gmail sidebar, which gives you more space for conversations.

    3

    Send a file or photo

    ~15s
    In any Chat conversation, click the attachment icon (paper clip or plus sign) in the message input area. Choose a file from your computer or from Google Drive. Files from Drive are shared as links that the recipient can open directly in their browser.
    4

    Create or join a Space

    ~19s
    In Gmail, click the + next to "Spaces" in the left sidebar. Choose "Create a Space" to start a new group, give it a name, and invite people by email. To join an existing Space, someone needs to send you an invitation or a link. Spaces keep all messages permanently, unlike regular chats which may be archived.
    5

    Search your message history

    ~16s
    At the top of the Google Chat sidebar or the chat.google.com page, click the search bar. Type any keyword, name, or phrase to find old messages. Results show matches from all your conversations and Spaces, making it easy to find something shared weeks or months ago.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Use Google Chat for Messaging

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Google Chat is a messaging platform built directly into Gmail and the broader Google ecosystem. If you use Gmail regularly, you may have already noticed it — it's the chat section in the left sidebar of Gmail, below your inbox folders. Google Chat replaced the older Google Hangouts product in 2022 and is now the default messaging tool for anyone with a Google or Gmail account.

    Think of Google Chat like text messaging, but through your Gmail account instead of your phone number. You can send messages to anyone else with a Gmail address, share files from Google Drive, and have group conversations.

    The easiest way to start a conversation is right inside Gmail. In the left sidebar, find the Chat section. Click the + button next to "Chat" and type the email address or name of the person you want to message. If they have a Google account, you can start a conversation right away.

    You can also use Google Chat as a standalone app. Go to chat.google.com in a browser, or download the Google Chat app from the App Store or Google Play.

    Beyond one-on-one messages, Google Chat has a feature called Spaces — these are group conversations with a persistent history, topic organization, and the ability to add members. A Space works like a Slack channel or Discord text channel. You might use a Space for a family group, a project at work, or a club you're part of. Spaces retain the full message history indefinitely, so you can scroll back and find old conversations.

    You can react to messages with emoji by hovering over any message and clicking the smiley face that appears. Edit or delete a message you've already sent by hovering over it and clicking the three-dot menu.

    For searching old conversations: there's a search bar at the top of Google Chat. Type any keyword or someone's name to find past messages — extremely useful when you need to find a link or file that was shared weeks ago.

    Google Chat works best for communicating with others who already have Gmail. It's not ideal for reaching iPhone users who use iMessage, or friends who prefer WhatsApp — for those cases, a cross-platform app like WhatsApp or Signal makes more sense.

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    How to Use Google Chat for Messaging — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure