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 for you. 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.
• If you're an external member of a Google Chat space created by a work or school account, you can't add, remove, or interact with any apps.

Tips:

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

Add apps to a conversation or space

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
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, then select one or more apps Click Add.

Remove apps from a conversation or space

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
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.

Find & install a Chat app

Important: If you have a work or school account, your organization controls which apps are available to you.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
2. Select an option:
   • Click New chat Find apps.
   • In the Chat sidebar, click Get Add-ons .
3. Search or browse for an app.
4. Select an app.
5. Install or add the app to a space.

Tips:

• You can search or browse an app in the Marketplace. Learn how to search or filter apps.

• 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.

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. On your computer, open Google 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.

Use the integration menu to interact with the app

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
2. If the app is installed through "Find apps" in "New chat," select a conversation or space.

   Tip: If the app you want to use isn't installed yet, click View more apps for Chat, then install the app.

3. On the left of the compose bar, click Google Workspace tools .
4. To open a list of commands available within an app, under "INSTALLED APPS," click an app.
   • If a command requires further arguments: In the compose bar, enter any relevant inputs into the command. To activate the command, press Enter.
   • If a command doesn't require any further arguments: To activate the command, click on the relevant command.

Get help with apps

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
2. Open the conversation with the app.
3. At the top, click About.