Get started with apps in Google Chat

Important: To use apps in Google Chat, you must use a work or school account.

Apps are special accounts you can message that connect you to services in Chat, such as looking up information, scheduling meetings, and doing tasks. When you interact with app in Chat, the app can see your email address, avatar, and other basic information. The app can also see the other basic information of others in the 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. Other apps are created and maintained by third-party software vendors. 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.

Find apps & add them in Google Chat or Gmail

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 .

Add apps to spaces or conversations in Google Chat or Gmail

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 .

Learn how to add or remove people and apps to a space or group conversation.

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.

Remove a app from a 1:1 message in Chat or Gmail

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. At the bottom, tap Chat .
3. Tap the app you want to remove.
4. At the top, tap the app name  Remove.

Tip: Touch and hold a conversation for more options.

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.

Create apps

For information on how to create custom apps for your organization, go to the Google Chat API documentation. For your organization's guidelines on app creation, contact your Google Workspace administrator. Who is my administrator?

Give apps permission to create Spaces and add members to Spaces in Google Chat

You can allow an app to do these tasks on your behalf:

• Create Spaces
• Add members to Spaces

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, click Allow.

You can remove this access permission any time. Learn how to remove access of third-party apps to your account.