You can message a person or group with Google Chat even if they use classic Hangouts. You get the message in Google Chat, and your contacts get the message in the product they use: Google Chat or classic Hangouts.
How different conversations in Google Chat & classic Hangouts interact
| Classic Hangouts | Google Chat |
| 1:1 message | 1:1 message |
| Group conversation with no name | New group conversation |
| Group conversation with name | Unthreaded space |
Classic Hangouts messages in Chat
- Group conversations with a name in classic Hangouts: Can be viewed and replied to in Chat as “unthreaded" spaces.
- Group conversations without a name in classic Hangouts: Can be viewed and replied to in Chat as group conversations.
Message limitations between Google Chat & classic Hangouts
- Threaded spaces in Google Chat can’t be viewed or replied to in classic Hangouts.
- Tip: You can create an unthreaded space or group conversation in Chat with the same people to continue using classic Hangouts. Learn about spaces and group conversations.
- If you use a personal Google Account, you can be added as a guest to a threaded space created by someone who uses a work or school account.
- Pre-existing group conversations in Google Chat can’t be viewed or replied to in classic Hangouts.
- Tip: You can create a new group conversation in Chat with the same people to continue using classic Hangouts.
- When you edit or delete a message in Chat, the message isn't edited or deleted in classic Hangouts. Instead, a message is posted to classic Hangouts that indicates a message was edited or deleted in Google Chat.
| Type | Chat to classic Hangouts | Classic Hangouts to Chat |
| Emojis | Forwards to classic Hangouts | Forwards to Chat |
| Images | Sends a link to the image | Forwards to Chat |
| Videos | Sends a link to the video | Sends a link to the video |
| Files | Sends a link to the file | Classic Hangouts can't send files to Chat |
| Stickers | Chat doesn't have stickers | Forwards to Chat |
| Locations | Chat doesn't share location | Forwards to Chat |
| Reactions | Reactions don't appear in classic Hangouts | Classic Hangouts can't add reactions |
| Bots | Sends a message that indicates a bot posted a message | Classic Hangouts doesn't support bots |
- Video calls from Chat to a classic Hangouts user: Chat uses Meet for video meetings. If you use classic Hangouts, you get a link to the meeting.
- Video calls from classic Hangouts to a Chat user: Classic Hangouts has both built-in video calls and the option to use Meet for video calls. If you use Chat, you get a link to the meeting.
- When a bot creates or modifies a Google Chat message, the message does not appear in classic Hangouts. Instead, a message is posted to classic Hangouts that indicates a bot posted a message in Google Chat.
- Bots don't exist in classic Hangouts, so the message is posted on behalf of the user who added the bot to the space or conversation.
- If you use classic Hangouts: 1:1 messages and group conversations are searchable in Gmail.
- If you use Chat: 1:1 messages, group conversations, and spaces are searchable in Chat or Gmail.