Google Workspace Changes

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.

View corresponding Google Chat messages from the Tasks tab in a Chat room

Users can now quickly navigate back to the original Google Chat message where a task was created or indicated by using the 'View in Chat' icon within the Tasks tab of a Google Chat room. This feature is available on the web by hovering over the task and on mobile by selecting the task, helping users surface context and re-engage stakeholders more efficiently.

Dark mode is now available for Google Chat on the web and the Progressive Web App (PWA).

Users can now enable dark mode for Google Chat on the web (chat.google.com) and the Google Chat Progressive Web App (PWA) by navigating to Settings > Theme settings. This feature aims to provide a better viewing experience in low-light conditions by reducing brightness and potentially decreasing eye strain.

Limit external chat to only users in domains that you trust in Google Chat.

Admins can now limit external chat to people in trusted domains for their entire organization, or set different policies for different OUs. This gives admins more fine grained control over external chat in their organization and can help prevent inappropriate or undesired external chats.

Limit external messaging to trusted domains in Google Chat

Google Chat now allows administrators to limit external chat communication to only users within specific trusted domains. Previously, admins could only choose to allow or disallow external chat entirely; now, they can set more granular policies for the entire organization or specific organizational units (OUs) to ensure users only communicate with approved external stakeholders.

Updated emoji experience in Google Chat with Emoji 13.1 and improved personalization.

Google Chat is updating its emoji experience across web and mobile platforms. The update includes the adoption of the Emoji 13.1 set, the introduction of gender-neutral options for gender-modifiable emojis, and the ability to save skin tone and gender preferences for individual emojis.

Admins can now migrate all users from classic Hangouts to Google Chat using the 'Chat preferred' setting.

Google has introduced the 'Chat preferred' setting in the Admin console, allowing administrators to migrate all users from classic Hangouts to Google Chat. When enabled, Google Chat becomes the default chat application for the organization and is integrated directly into Gmail on the web. This integration allows users to access 1:1 and group direct messages, full-screen rooms, bot integrations, and emoji reactions without switching tabs.

Google launched a new standalone Progressive Web Application (PWA) for Google Chat.

Google has introduced a new standalone Google Chat app as a Progressive Web Application (PWA), providing a fast and reliable experience on any desktop device with Google Chrome browser version 73 and up. The PWA integrates with the device's operating system to function like a native app, ensures security through automatic Chrome updates, and allows admins to deploy the app to all users via the Admin console. It is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, and Linux.

Existing classic Hangouts conversations with external users will now appear in Google Chat.

Beginning May 18, 2020, conversations with external users in classic Hangouts will automatically appear in Google Chat as new messages are sent, facilitating a smoother transition between the two platforms.