How to live chat with Google?

Start a chat using the mobile app

1. Download and install the Google Chat app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). If you already have Hangouts, you will be redirected to the new app called "Chats" and all your current chats will be located inside the Chats app.

Google Chats can still send messages to people who use classic Hangouts.

When you download Chats, you'll need to sign in with your Google account.

2. Touch New chat. It's in the bottom-left corner of the chat window next to a chat bubble icon.

3. Direct the chat to someone. You can tap through the suggested people listed under "Frequents," or you can choose to create a room, browse rooms, or view your message requests. If you know the email address of the person you want to talk to, enter it here and their profile will appear under the "More Results" heading. Tap their profile to start a chat with them.

If you want to create a group chat, enter the name in the address bar, and then tap the group icon to the right of your name to add more people.

4. Start chatting. You can enter a message using the onscreen keyboard, or you can touch one of the icons to add it to your message.

The first icon looks like an image icon (two mountains inside an image frame) and will open your camera roll so you can add an image.

The second icon looks like a camera icon and will open your camera so you can add a video or picture to your chat.

The third icon looks like the Google Drive icon and will open your drive so you can share a file or folder that is on your Google Drive.

The fourth icon looks like a video camera and will send a Google Meet (video chat) link to the conversation. After tapping the Google Meet icon, tap the Send icon (the paper plane), and people in the conversation can click or tap it to join your video meeting.

The fifth icon looks like a calendar and will allow you to schedule a meeting using Google Meet.