We’ve been talking about the end of Hangouts for at least a couple of years now, thanks to Google confirming that Google Chat would eventually replace it and that they’d one day force you to use it. After several steps have cleared for Google to push its Workspace users onto Chat, the focus will finally turn this week to everyone else still hanging on to Hangouts. Actually, I thought this transition had already started, but here we really are.
Google announced that Hangouts users will see a message pop-up within the app that says “It’s time for Chat in Gmail” and that “Hangouts has been replaced by Google Chat.” Users will then be redirected to a “Learn More” page or given a shortcut to open Chat within Gmail, since that’s a thing. They could also use Chat in its own app too.
For those still on Hangouts, I promise you that Chat is a more polished, modern app even if it is a bit different. The chat layout within a conversation still isn’t great, but the app has dark mode, lots of ways to setup meetings or video chats, attach files from Drive, and more. Google also says that direct calling, in-line threading in Spaces, and (finally) the ability to share and view multiple images is coming soon. This is an app they improve with regularity, unlike Hangouts.
Chat is a messaging app that can be experienced in all sorts of places too. You really can carry on chats in the Gmail app on all platforms, plus there is a desktop experience within Gmail, a stand-alone setup on its own Chat URL, and individual Chat apps. Chat is everywhere.
Worried about all of your old Hangouts conversations disappearing? They shouldn’t. Google has already migrated your conversations over to Google Chat. Simply open Chat and look for yourself. They started this process some time ago and you should be all set once they tell you it’s time to move on from Hangouts.
If you are wondering how many more times we are going to write this article, about the end of Hangouts, Google specifically called this the “final step to bring remaining Hangouts users to Chat.” This should be it, guys.
I’ve been using Hangouts forever and have migrated for the most part to Chat … BUT … the biggest issue with Chat is the fact that it doesn’t work with Android Auto, but Hangouts still does. Google needs to fix this before totally cutting off Hangouts IMO.
I like Hangouts much better than Chat.
The conversations are all on one side in Chat and it’s harder to tell who said what.
In Hangouts, the two conversations are on both sides making it much easier to re-read the texts..
Google Chat will go the way of the dodo
Google Chat will go the way of the dodo
Kellen, do you have a different Chat app than I do? Feel like there has been zero improvements to the chat features in, well forever.
I actually enjoy(ed) the Hangouts UI and interface. It was clean and simply. Just tons of reliability issues , especially in recent months as Google began sunsetting it. Chat is …..a bit more robust but has a wonky UI. I am so tired of Google’s constant rebranding and fiddling on music/movies/chat/messaging applications.
At least they haven’t ruined Gmail or regular Youtube or Google Maps (yet).
…..no they scrapped Inbox for Gmail. The one time they came out with a superior app and dropped it. As opposed to moving people to youtube music from google play. If we had real competition in big tech..google would be forced to be on point or else would lose. The majority of people staying with google now are either doing it because the phones are cheaper somewhat…or they are so immersed in the echo system. I want a android watch that just works and has the functionality of the apple watch. How about a top notch tablet? Instead we get close but no cigar products from both samsung and google. Sure they have a lot of features that apple gets years later typically, but apple has them refined when they come in. Android is for power users…and most of us just arent. I dont customize my UI with a skin or anything. In my profession…most people are on ios and sport apple watches instead of fancy rolexes or what not (i dont really know what a low end of the high end watches are, people at my office make six figures, but like low six figures typically). I want an apple watch for the functionality and health tracking tools. I can get that with a fitbit watch (i have a band), but then it looks low end and I have to switch it out for dress functions. Have a galaxy watch 3…i never use it. I think about switching to ios, but years ago i uploaded all of my music to the google cloud…which means i would then have to do the same with itunes. Plus i have grandfathered photo storage from having had a pixel for 4 years, and my partner and I share photos through google so unless she switches…huge headache. Just a mess. It is simply crazy that Google leaves so much money on the table by the fact that it has no direction.