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 that you can message to 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 and add them in Google Chat or Gmail

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

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

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Next to Chat, click Start a chat Find an app.
3. Find an app or enter the app name in search.
4. Click the 'App' card.
5. Choose an option:
   • To start a 1:1 message with an app: Click Message.
   • To add the app to a space: Click Add to space, select the space and click Add.

Tip: Apps that you add appear under the Chat section.

Add apps to spaces or conversations in Google Chat or Gmail

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Select a conversation or space.
   • If the conversation window is expanded, at the top, click the drop-down next to the name of the space or person.
   • If the conversation window is minimised, tap More options .
3. Click Add people and apps.
4. Choose an option:
   • Enter the name of the app.
   • Search to find an app.
5. Click Send.

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

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 that you use. The app's responses are visible in the conversation. 

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. In the reply area, enter a forward slash /.
   A list of apps appears. Under each app name is a list of available commands. As you enter more characters, the list shortens to match.
4. Choose a command and enter any additional info.
5. Press Enter.

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

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

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Next to the app, click More options   Remove.

Give feedback and get help with apps in Chat or Gmail

You can message the app to get help.

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Open the conversation or space with the app.
3. Show available commands:
   • In a 1:1 conversation with the app, enter help.
   • In a space or group conversation, enter @appname help, where appname is the app’s name.

Create apps

For information on how to create custom apps for your organisation, go to the Google Chat API documentation. For your organisation'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 will ask for access. To grant permission, click Allow.

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