Search for Google Chat messages

In Google Chat, you can search:

• In all your messages.
• For messages that include specific people.
• For messages that include certain types of content, such as images.

Important:

• To search for Chat messages in Gmail, turn on Chat in Gmail.
• You can search for messages in conversations that you've joined or can join.
• To filter your search results, you can also use search operators.
• You can't search for messages using the Gmail API.
• Even if you're invited to join, you can't search for messages in conversations or spaces that someone from a different organisation has created.

Search for messages and spaces in Chat and Gmail

You can search for messages and spaces in Chat.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chat app or the Gmail app .
   • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .
2. At the top, enter the search text.
3. Select an option:
   • At the bottom, on your keyboard, tap Search .
   • Tap a recent search.
4. To open a result, tap it.
5. After you finish your search, you can switch between 'Messages' and 'Spaces' results at the top of the screen.
   • To view the list of matching spaces, tap Spaces.
   • Select a filter to find the following types of spaces:
     • All spaces: Joined or unjoined spaces.
     • Internal and external: Filter internal or external spaces for your organisation.

Search for messages in a space or conversation

1. In Chat, open the conversation to search.
2. At the top right, tap More options Search in conversation .
3. Enter your search text.
4. To open a result, tap it.

Filter and sort messages and spaces

1. In Chat, at the top, enter search text.
   • As you enter the text, filters appear below.
2. Select a filter to find the following types of messages:
   • From: Messages sent from specific people.
   • Said in: Messages said in a specific conversation or space.
   • Attachment: Messages that include documents, spreadsheets, slides and more.
   • Date: Messages sent during a specific date range.
   • Has link: Messages that include links.
   • Mentions me: Messages that mention you.
   • Only conversations that I'm in: Messages from conversations that you're a member of.
3. Optional: To sort messages, below the filters, tap Sort menu.
   • Most relevant: Sort messages by how relevant they are to your search text.
   • Most recent: Sort messages by how recent they are.
4. On the 'Search results' page, you can switch between message and space results.
   • To view the list of matching spaces, tap Spaces.
   • Select a filter to find the following types of spaces:
     • All spaces: Joined or unjoined spaces.
     • Internal and external: Filter internal or external spaces for your organisation.
5. Tap a search result.
   • Results from spaces that you haven't joined may appear. To join, next to the message, tap Join.

Delete suggested search results

As you type in the Chat search bar, suggestions may appear based on your search history. To find messages, you can select a suggested search result.

• Suggestions are stored for 90 days after their use.
• Search history for suggestions isn't shared between Chat and Chat in Gmail.
• You can delete your recent searches or your entire search history.

1. In Chat, tap the search bar.
2. Under 'Recent searches', you can:
   • Delete a recent search: Tap and hold a search item tap Delete.
   • Delete all searches: Tap Delete all.

Related resources

• Use search operators in Google Chat
• Add formatting to your Google Chat messages
• Learn about message history for conversations with work or school accounts