Get started with apps in Google Chat

Apps are special accounts you can message that connect you to services in Chat, so you can:

• Look up information
• Schedule a meeting
• Do tasks

To use apps in Google Chat, a work or school account is required. 

A personal account user can:

• Find the option to add apps, but can’t add apps. 
• Be invited to a space by a user in a work or school account, and they can view the apps in the space.

Learn how apps work in Google Chat

When you interact with an app in Chat, the app can see your:

• Email address
• Avatar
• Basic information (such as your name)

The app can see other’s basic information in a chat, but it can't see their email address or avatar unless they interact directly with the app.

Google creates and maintains some apps, such as the Meet and Google Drive apps. 

Third-party software vendors create and maintain other apps. If you use a third-party app, review the vendor's Terms of Service and privacy policy for more information on the third-party use of your data.

Tip: 

• Learn how to create custom apps for your organization. 
• For your organization's guidelines on app creation, contact your Google Workspace administrator.

Find and add apps

If an app is available in your organization, you can:

• Send it a direct message.
• Add it to spaces or conversations.

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. At the bottom, tap Chat .
3. Tap New chat   Message an app.
4. Enter an app name or select a suggestion.
5. Enter your message. 
6. Tap Send .
7. To remove an app, tap the app name at the top Uninstall.

Tip: To perform tasks on your behalf, the app needs your permission to access your Google Account. When an app needs this permission, a prompt asks for access. To grant permission, tap Allow.

Learn how to remove access to third-party apps to your account.

Add apps to conversations or spaces

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, tap the space name or conversation list Add people & apps.
4. Enter an app name or select a suggestion.
5. Tap Done .

Use slash commands in messages

Use slash commands in Google Chat to communicate quickly with apps. You don’t have to remember the commands. Enter a forward slash /, and a list of commands appears.

Only you can view the slash commands you use. The app's responses are visible in the conversation. 

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Open the conversation or space with the app.
3. In the reply area, enter a forward slash /.
   A list of apps appears. Under each app name is a list of commands. As you enter more characters, the list shortens to match. 
4. Choose a command and enter additional info  press Enter.

Tip: If the app isn’t already in the conversation or space, the app is added when you message it.

Give feedback & get help with apps in Chat or Gmail

Send a message through the app to get help or give feedback.

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Open a conversation or space with an app.
3. To view commands to use with an app:
   • In a 1:1 conversation between you and the app, enter help.
   • In a space or group conversation, enter @appname help, where appname is the name of the app.
4. Send a comment about an app to Google:
   • In a direct message between only you and the app, enter feedback text, where text is your comment.
   • In a space or direct message with other people, enter @appname feedback text, where text is your comment.