Send a direct message

You can send a direct message (DM) to a person or group in Google Chat.

Learn how DMs work

• DMs can be from you to another person or include multiple people.
• When one or more people read your message, their avatar displays next to their last read message.
• To focus conversation around a topic, project, or shared interest with multiple people, create a space instead. Learn the differences between spaces and DMs.

Find your DMs

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chat app or Gmail app .
   • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .

2. In the bottom navigation menu, tap Direct messages .

Tip: To search for DMs, use the search bar at the top. Learn how to search for messages.

Send a DM

Important: If this is your first time sending a message to someone else, they need to accept your message request before you can chat with them.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chat app or Gmail app .
   • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .

2. In the bottom navigation menu, tap New chat .
3. Enter a name or email address, then tap Done.
   • When you enter a name or email address, you can get suggestions.
   • To start a group DM, add more names or email addresses.
4. In the reply area, enter a message.
5. Tap Send .

Message options

In the reply area, you can add more content to your message before you send it. You can:

• Add an emoji .

For more options, tap Action menu to:

• Add an image or video .
• Take a photo .
• Insert a GIF .
• Insert a Google Meet link .
• Schedule a meeting in Google Calendar .
• Attach Drive files .
• Format your message .

Turn a DM into a space

Important: If there are 2 or more people in the DM, you can turn a DM into a space.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chat app or Gmail app .
   • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .

2. Open a DM.
3. At the top, tap the conversation name.
4. Tap Turn this chat into a space.

Learn how DMs work in Google Workspace

If your work or school uses Chat, your administrator allows you to send messages to people in and out of your organization.

• You can chat with someone outside of your organization if:
  • They use their personal Google Account.
  • Both organizations allow it.
• When you chat with someone outside of your organization, an “External” badge displays next to their name.
• You can’t add people outside of your organization to group DMs.
• When you add people to a DM, you can find suggestions. Suggestions include everyone in your organization, even if they don’t have Google Chat.

Related resources

• Reply to a message
• Mark a conversation as read or unread