How do I Get Google Chat and Migrate From Hangouts

Hangouts apps have been launched back in 2017 as an providing to Enterprise customers. These companies got here with group catering options like bots, computerized replies, and rather more to assist companies handle work remotely. Soon following the success of Hangouts, it was built-in into Gmail and out there to each person no matter an Enterprise account. Google is now transitioning to the Chats and Meet app for a more streamlined strategy for these companies.

While Chat goals to face as an unbiased prompt messenger with assorted performance, Meet is transitioning to a more skilled video conferencing providing that’s splendid for on a regular basis customers too.

Google has simply launched a beta for the Google Chat for each Hangouts person underneath the “early access” program. This means which you can bounce on the bandwagon and check out Google’s latest providing straight away. Let’s discover out how one can substitute Hangouts with Chat!

How do I get Google Chat Early Access

Well, you don’t must! Google has taken care of all of it in your behalf. The firm had introduced Chat earlier final 12 months in 2020, the place Google said that they are going to be slowly deprecating Hangouts by mid-2021. In gentle of this change and transition, the corporate has mechanically transferred all person chats, contacts, and saved knowledge to Chats. This permits for a seamless transition between the 2 in the meanwhile, which in flip permits you to meet up with your contacts regardless of which app you might be using. 

To get began with Google Chat, merely use one of many guides under relying in your device. 

For Desktop

Desktop customers can both entry the Chat from their browser or by utilizing the devoted desktop app. Follow one of many guides under relying in your preferences.  

Option 1: Web app

If you want to use the online app merely go to the hyperlink under and log in along with your Google account. If you might be already signed in along with your Google account then you’ll be mechanically taken to the Google Chat homepage. You will discover that each one your contacts, chats, and information from Hangouts have been already synced to Google Chat. You can merely begin messaging your contacts now as you usually would inside Hangouts. 

► Visit: Google Chat

Option 2: Dedicated desktop shopper

If you utilize Hangouts each day then the Google Chat standalone desktop shopper shall be a more sensible choice for you. The standalone app permits for push notifications in your desktop whereas permitting you to be in contact along with your contacts immediately out of your desktop. Use the hyperlink under to put in the app immediately in your respective desktop system. 

Important Note: The desktop app for Chat appears to be behind closed doorways presently. It appears that Google plans to iron out all of the bugs earlier than releasing it to the general public. As such the standalone app must be out there within the next couple of weeks. It was launched to Enterprise beta customers in late 2020 nevertheless, evidently the rollout for primary customers is presently on maintain. Once the app is on the market in a number of weeks, you possibly can comply with the information under to put in it in your system. 

For Mac, Windows & Linux

Open Google Chat in your desktop browser and sign up to your account. 

Once signed in, click on on the ‘Gear’ icon within the prime proper nook. 

Select ‘Install Chat app’. 

Note: Chrome customers also can click on on the ‘3-dot’ menu icon of their browser within the prime proper and choose ‘Install Hangouts Chat’. 

And that’s it! The standalone app ought to now be put in in your system. 

For Mobile customers

Mobile customers can obtain the devoted Google Chat app on their cellular gadgets and get began straight away. Just like its desktop variants, your current Hangouts chats and contacts shall be mechanically transferred to the brand new Chat app with out the necessity for any guide transfers. Use the hyperlink under to obtain the app to your cellular device. 

Launch the app as soon as it’s downloaded, and log in along with your Google account.

If you have already got a Google account arrange in your device, then you’ll be mechanically signed in to the Chat app. Additionally, in case you have a number of Google accounts then the app will mean you can select which one you want to use with Google Chat. 

And that’s it! 

Once signed in, it is best to have the ability to proceed all of your conversations from Hangouts proper inside the Chats app. You can now delete the Hangouts app in your PC or telephone and proceed with Google Chat.

Migrating from Hangouts to Google Chat: What to know

While Google has tried its best to make the transition from Hangouts to Chat as seamless as doable, there might be nonetheless some points and undesirable outcomes of this course of. Here are a number of ideas that may permit for a more seamless switch and enable you to save a while within the course of. 

Legacy Groups and Threaded Rooms limitations

Google Hangouts allowed you to create devoted teams primarily based on any standards. You might additionally create rooms for devoted mass discussions on sure matters. While Google does its best to switch all of your knowledge, sadly, legacy teams and threaded rooms aren’t supported by this function.

This implies that whereas your DMs, group chats, and unthreaded rooms shall be transferred to Google Chat, Legacy teams and threaded rooms received’t be. This is principally a limitation for big organizations which have been using Hangouts for fairly a while. If you’re a primary person, then you possibly can merely create new teams and threaded rooms once more in Chat. 

Notification Limitations

For some weird purpose, Google has now tied your Chat notifications to Gmail. This implies that for those who flip off notifications for Chat in Gmail, then notifications will even be turned off for the Chat app.

The solely workaround that may repair that is for those who flip off notifications for Gmail in your device as a substitute whereas permitting them inside Gmail. Your device received’t notify you about incoming notifications however Gmail will nonetheless be sending them. This method, your Chats app will even have the ability to ship you notifications whereas disallowing notifications from Gmail. 

Room Limits

The variety of individuals you possibly can add to Rooms in Chat has additionally barely modified. You ought to keep this in thoughts when creating new rooms in Chat. Additionally as talked about above, your legacy teams and threaded rooms from Hangouts received’t be transferred over to the brand new Chat app. 

• Threaded Rooms: 8000 Maximum individuals
• Unthreaded Rooms: 400 Maximum individuals

We hope this information helped you get accustomed to the brand new Google Chat app that’s presently out there in beta to all Hangouts customers. How has your expertise been with Chat thus far? Feel free to share your opinions within the feedback under. 

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