Unlock Google Chat’s Full Potential
Despite its quiet corner in the Google Workspace, Google Chat is a surprisingly powerful messaging app. Seamlessly integrated with other Google services, it offers features like Spaces, threaded chats, message scheduling, and robust privacy controls. Whether you’re a daily user or just exploring, these nine tips—drawn from David Nield’s guide on WIRED (published July 14, 2026)—will help you get the most out of it across web, Android, and iOS.
Organize Your Chats Effectively
Create Your Own Spaces
Spaces are supercharged group chats. They allow names, descriptions, task assignments, and elegant file sharing. To create one on the web, click the New chat button (top left) and select Create a space. Provide a name and optional emoji, then invite members, share files, and assign tasks. Click the Space name to adjust settings like message history.
Thread Your Chats
Google Chat supports threaded messages to keep side conversations organized. On the web, hover over a message; on mobile, long-press it. Choose Reply in thread (icon looks like a spool of thread).
Pin the Most Important Messages
Keep key conversations at the top of your list. On the web, click the three dots next to a chat and select Pin. On mobile, press and hold a chat in the messages view (tap the speech bubble icon to access).
Put Conversations Into Sections
Organize chats like email folders (e.g., friends, family, work). On the web, click the three dots next to a chat, choose Move conversation, then pick an existing section or create a new one. On mobile, tap the two‑rectangles icon to view sections (sections can only be created on web).
Master Advanced Features
Schedule Messages for the Future
Available only on the web app. Write your message, then click the small downward arrow to the left of the Send button. Pick a specific date and time up to 120 days in advance.
Use Google Chat With Other Google Apps
Integration is one of Chat’s strengths. Attach links from Google Calendar or files from Google Drive. To create a Google Task from a message, click the three dots (web) or long‑press (mobile) and select Create task. The same menu offers Forward to inbox, which sends the message and surrounding messages to your Gmail inbox as a formatted email—ideal for backing up addresses, phone numbers, or images.
Set Your Status
Keep contacts informed. On the web, click the status indicator in the top‑right corner to change it. On mobile, tap the menu button (top left), then Add a status or the downward arrow.
Edit Messages You’ve Sent
Hover over a message (web) or long‑press (mobile) to reveal the pen icon for editing. This is handy for fixing typos, but other participants will see that a change was made.
Protect Your Privacy and Stay Secure
Set Access Restrictions
Limit who can contact you. On the web, click the cog icon (top right), then Access restrictions to configure options for individual chats and Spaces. On Android and iOS, tap the menu button (top left), go to Settings, and adjust Who can message you? and Who can invite you to Spaces? as desired.
Google Chat is free to use on web, Android, and iOS. For more productivity tips, explore WIRED’s guides.