Start a group conversation

You can use classic Hangouts to message multiple people at the same time.

• Conversations can include up to 150 people.

• For video calls in classic Hangouts, learn about requirements for using Google Meet.

Start a group conversation

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open classic Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Click New conversation   New group .
3. Enter the names or email addresses of the people you want to add.
4. Click Done .

Optional: Name your group.

Start a video call in a group message

Tip: To make sure you don't join a meeting with an expired code and to better plan for the future meetings you create, check when meeting codes expire. Learn about Google Meet meeting codes.

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open the app from the sidebar in Gmail.
2. Select a group to call from the Hangouts list or create a new group. 
3. At the top left of the group message window, click Video call .
   • Hangouts automatically adds a Meet link to your message. Click Send  to share the link and invite the group to the Google Meet video call.
     • Tip: There are some requirements to use Google Meet. Learn more about Google Meet requirements.

 

Add or remove people

Add people to a conversation

When someone is added to a group, they can access past messages in the conversation. 

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Select a group conversation.
3. Click People .
4. At the bottom, click Add people. 
5. Type the name or email address of the person you want to add.
6. Click Add people.

Tip: If you use classic Hangouts with a work or school account, you can send a link to people in your organization to invite them to join a specific group conversation. At the top of the chat box, click Settings . Check the box next to "Joining by link." To invite someone in your organization to your group conversation, send the link to that person.

Remove people from a conversation

You can remove someone from a group if you:

• Started the group.
• Were added by name or email address.

When someone is removed from a group, they can't access messages in the conversation.

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Select a group conversation.
3. Click People .
4. Find the person you want to remove. On their name, click Remove .
5. They’re immediately removed from the group. Everyone in the group is notified that you removed the person.
6. To add someone back into a group, add them by name or email. People removed from a group won't be able to rejoin with a link.

Other options

Name your group conversation

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Select a group conversation.
3. At the top of the chat box, click Settings .
4. In "Hangout Name,” enter a name.
5. Click Ok. The name of the group is visible to everyone in the conversation.

Find out who's in your group conversation

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Select a group conversation.
3. Click People .
4. You get a list of people in the group conversation. Everyone in the group is notified who’s in the group.

Leave a group conversation

1. Go to hangouts.google.com or open classic Hangouts in Gmail.
2. Select the group conversation you want to leave.
3. At the top right of the chat box, click Settings .
4. Click Leave conversation Leave.
5. To rejoin, someone must invite you to the group. After you rejoin, you can access the conversation history, even for messages sent after you left.

When you leave a group conversation:

• You won’t receive new messages or video calls.
• You won’t be able to access previously sent messages.
• Others in the conversation can access previous messages that were sent, including messages you sent.

Tip: To close the window but not leave the group, click Close .