Change the space access level

For work or school accounts, you can restrict access to a space to specific members or make the space discoverable or open to everyone in your organization.

Learn how private, discoverable & open spaces work

Learn about private spaces

• Ideal for discussion amongst teams, projects, and groups.
• To join a space, a space member must invite or add you to the space.
• Unless you're a member or invited to the space, you can’t browse for it in Chat.

Learn about discoverable spaces

• Ideal for topics that aren’t limited to specific individuals or teams.
• When a space is discoverable, you can:
  • Find the space in "Browse spaces."
  • See the name and description.
  • If the space owners and managers allow it, request to join.

Learn about open spaces

• Ideal for topics that aren’t limited to specific individuals or teams.
• When a space is open, you can:
  • Find the space in "Browse spaces."
  • See the name and description.
  • Preview messages.
  • Join the space.
• If you have a link to the space, you can join it with the link.

Google Workspace plans that support open spaces

• Frontline
• Business Starter
• Business Standard
• Business Plus
• Enterprise Essentials
• Enterprise Standard
• Enterprise Plus
• Education Fundamentals
• Education Standard
• Education Plus
• Teaching and Learning Upgrade
• Nonprofits
• G Suite Basic
• G Suite Business
• Essentials (domain verified)

Update the space access level

Important: To change the access level for a space, you need to be a space owner or manager. Learn about your role as a space owner or manager.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chat app or Gmail app .
   • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .
2. Select a space.
3. At the top, tap the space name Space settings.
4. Under the "Access" section, select a space access level:
   • Private: Users can't find or join this space unless you add them.
   • Discoverable: Anyone in your organization can find the space.
   • Open: Anyone in your organization can find and join the space and preview messages.
5. Tap Save.

Tips:

• If a space is open to everyone in your organization, you can’t invite people outside your organization to join.
• You can find additional access options your administrator creates. If you have questions about available access options, contact your administrator.
• If your administrator deletes the target audience you select for your space, " Deleted Audience" displays in the space history and space access is private by default.

Add new members to an open space

You can add new members to an open space by either:

• Copying a link to the space and sharing with others.
• Directly adding or inviting them.

Add members with an open space link

1. In Chat, select the space.
2. At the top, tap the space name Copy link to this space.
3. Share the link to anyone you’d like to invite or reference the space with.
   • If you turn on "Request to join" in access settings, the person you share the link with must request to join.

Add members to a space

1. In Chat, select the space.
2. At the top, tap the space name Manage members.
3. Tap Add people .
4. Enter the name, email, or Google Group, or select suggested contacts to invite.
5. Tap Done.

Related resources

• Create a space
• Use threads in a space