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.

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.

Important: On your work or school accounts, your admin can install apps on your behalf. Afterwards, the apps can send you direct messages. You can't uninstall the apps, but you can turn off notifications for conversations with the app.

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

Important: If you have a work or school account, your organization controls which apps are available to you. 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 new chat   Find apps.
   • For Chat in Gmail, click New chat   Find apps.
3. Search or browse for an app.
4. Click the app card.
5. Choose an option:
   • To install the app, click Install.
   • To add the app to a space:
     1. Click Add to space
     2. Select the space.
     3. Click Add.

Tips:

• To perform tasks on your behalf, the app sends you a prompt to get your permission to access your Google Account. To grant permission, go to the prompt and click Allow. Learn how to remove access to third-party apps to your account.
• To uninstall an app in a direct message, at the top, click the app name  Uninstall. For work or school accounts, you can’t uninstall apps that your admin installed.

Add apps to a conversation or space

1. ​​​​​​Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, click the space name or conversation participants. 
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, click the space name or conversation participants.
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 Chat or Gmail.
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.

Get help with apps

1. Go to Chat or Gmail.
2. Open the conversation with the app.
3. At the top, click About.