Google Workspace Changes

Find apps and app commands in Chat with a new Integration Menu

Making it easier to discover and use Chat apps with a new Integration Menu. Simply click the (+) button next to the compose bar in a Chat message to see installed apps. You can also browse the slash commands that the apps support and execute them. On the web, the Integration Menu includes a search functionality that allows you to browse new apps.

Now when a user deletes a message in an unthreaded Google Chat Space, a message and timestamp will be added to the conversation indicating the deletion.

Now when a user deletes a message in an unthreaded Google Chat Space, a message and timestamp will be added to the conversation indicating the deletion. When a message has been deleted, both the content will be replaced with a placeholder

Google Chat now displays a notification and timestamp when a message is deleted in an unthreaded space.

When a user deletes a message in an unthreaded Google Chat Space, the content is replaced with a placeholder and a notification including a timestamp is added to the conversation. This update is designed to help users keep track of deletions, improving the readability and flow of conversations by providing additional context.

You now can add rich formatting to Chat messages, such as bold, italics, or underlines.

You now can add rich formatting to Chat messages, such as bold, italics, or underlines. Rich text can also be accessed using standard keyboard shortcuts. Previously, Chat supported plain text or markdown characters only.

Rich text formatting added to Google Chat messages on the web.

Google Chat on the web now supports rich text formatting, allowing users to apply bold, italics, and underlines to their messages. This can be done via a new formatting toolbar accessed by the 'A' icon in the compose bar or by using standard keyboard shortcuts.

Quicker access to Google Workspace integrations in Google Chat via the + icon.

Users in Google Chat can now more easily access other Google Workspace products such as Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, and Calendar by hovering over the + icon at the start of the text box. This feature is initially available on the Web and Android, with iOS support expected in early 2022.

Start and join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats using Google Chat in Gmail on mobile.

Users can now start or join meetings and audio calls directly from 1:1 chats in Google Chat within the Gmail app on Android and iOS. To initiate a call, users can select the phone or video icon in the top right corner of a 1:1 chat, or select the phone/video chip to join an existing call. Missed calls are indicated by red phone or video icons within the conversation and chat roster.

Google Chat now allows creators to delete named spaces in specific Google Workspace editions.

Creators of named spaces in Google Workspace Business Standard and Business Starter editions can now fully delete spaces, which removes all owned content, room tasks, and files not saved elsewhere. Once deleted, members lose access to the space, its files, and the member list. This feature is currently unavailable for editions that include Google Vault.

Mark Google Chat direct messages and Spaces as read or unread on mobile and web.

Users can now mark Google Chat direct messages (DMs) or Spaces as read or unread on both mobile and web platforms. In 1:1 and group DMs, users can mark a thread as unread starting from a specific message by hovering over the message and clicking the mark as unread icon, helping them remember to return to the conversation later.

New beta for data loss prevention (DLP) in Google Chat

Google has introduced a beta for data loss prevention (DLP) in Google Chat, allowing administrators to create custom policies to prevent sensitive and confidential information from leaking outside their organization. Admins can choose to either audit violations or block end users from sending sensitive content, and they will be alerted about policy violations to facilitate quick investigation and action.

Upgrade to the newest version of the Google Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA).

Google is requiring users of the Google Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA) to upgrade to the latest version to ensure continued functionality. Users on older versions will see an in-app banner instructing them to uninstall the old version and visit chat.google.com to install the new one. Starting September 27, 2021, older versions of the Chat PWA will no longer be accessible, and users will be directed to the upgrade screen.

New iOS Data Protection setting for Google Chat restricts data sharing between Google Workspace and personal Google accounts.

Google is expanding its iOS data protection settings to include Google Chat, allowing administrators to restrict the sharing or saving of content—such as chat messages and files—between Google Workspace accounts and personal Google accounts. This measure helps minimize accidental data sharing and increases the security of corporate data on iOS devices.

Google Chat 'Rooms' are now 'Spaces'

Starting September 8, 2021, Google Chat 'Rooms' are evolving into 'Spaces'. Users who have enabled Chat in their Gmail settings will see the term 'Rooms' automatically updated to 'Spaces'. This change is part of a broader evolution to improve collaboration, with future updates planned to include in-line topic threading, discoverable spaces, and enhanced user roles and moderation.

Google Chat introduces a Tenor integration for searching and sharing GIFs with admin controls.

Google Chat is introducing a new integration with Tenor, allowing users to quickly search for and send GIFs on the web via a new GIF icon in the compose bar. Additionally, administrators can enable or disable this integration through the Admin console under Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Chat > GIFs.

Google Chat PWA can now be set to run automatically at system startup.

Users on Windows, MAC OS, and Linux can now configure the Google Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA) to launch automatically when they sign into their computer. This is done by navigating to chrome://apps, right-clicking the Google Chat app, and selecting 'Start app when you sign in.' This feature is not supported on Chrome OS and is available to all Google Workspace, G Suite Basic, and Business customers.