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 that they use: Google Chat or classic Hangouts.
How different conversations in Google Chat and 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 and 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 indicating that a message was edited or deleted in Google Chat.
| Type | Chat to classic Hangouts | Classic Hangouts to Chat |
| Emoji | 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 indicating that 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 indicating that 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.