Use 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.

Important: 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 the app a direct message
• Add the app to spaces or group conversations

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

To remove an app, click More options Remove.

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, click Allow.

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

Add apps to conversations or spaces

Important: If you have a work or school account, your admin can install apps on your behalf. When this happens, the app can send you direct messages. While you can't uninstall the app, you can turn off notifications for conversations with the app.

1. ​​​​​​Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, next to the name of the person, group conversation, or space, click the drop-down. 
4. Click Apps & integration Add apps.
5. Enter the app name.
6. Select the app.
   • You can add multiple apps.
7. Click Add.

Remove apps from a conversation or space

1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, next to the name of the person, group conversation, or space, click the drop-down.
4. Click Apps & integrations.
5. To remove an app, click More options   Remove from space.

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. 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.

Give feedback & 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.