Keyboard shortcuts for Hangouts

Keyboard shortcuts for Hangouts conversations

You can use the keyboard shortcuts while sending messages in Hangouts.

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Move to next Hangout window	Ctrl + .
Move to previous Hangout window	Ctrl + ,
Close the current Hangout window	Esc
Enter or exit the last updated Hangout window (only for Hangouts in Gmail)	Shift + Esc

Format messages

Use the following keyboard shortcuts to add formatting before you type a new message.

Shortcut	Windows	Mac
Bold	Ctrl + b	⌘ + b
Italicise	Ctrl + i	⌘ + i
Underline	Ctrl + u	⌘ + u

Navigation shortcuts

The following shortcuts allow you to navigate quickly. The shortcuts work for Hangouts at hangouts.google.com and in Gmail (if you've turned on keyboard shortcuts in Gmail).

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Focus on first element in the conversation list	h, then c
Go into phone mode (same as g, then p)	h, then p
Open Hangouts Settings menu	h, then m
Go to Archived Hangouts and focus on first archived Hangout	h, then a
Go to Hangout Invitations and focus on first invitation	h, then i
Go to Hangouts search box (same as q)	h, then q

Keyboard shortcuts for Hangouts video calls

You can use the following keyboard shortcuts on a video call.

To see the full list from any screen on a video call, press Shift + ?.

Keyboard keys for Mac users

Controls

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Turn camera on or off	⌘ + e
Mute or unmute your microphone	⌘ + d

Chat

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open or close Chat	⌘ + b
Move focus to Chat	⌘ + m

Apps

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Close or remove a selected app	Delete
Set focus on the apps menu	⌘ + y

Filmstrip

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open your menu	Option + 1

Calling

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open the call app	Alt + t

Accessibility

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Become the primary speaker (works only when your audio is muted)	⌘ + g
Announce who is currently speaking	Shift + ⌘ + Alt + a, then s
Announce current information about the room	Shift + ⌘ + Alt + a, then i

Keyboard keys for PC users

Help

Controls

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Turn camera on or off	Ctrl + e
Mute or unmute your microphone	Ctrl + d

Chat

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open or close Chat	Ctrl + b
Move focus to Chat	Ctrl + m

Apps

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Close or remove a selected app	Delete
Set focus on the apps menu	Ctrl + y

Filmstrip

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open your menu	Alt + 1

Calling

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Open the call app	Alt + t

Accessibility

Shortcut	Keyboard keys
Become the primary speaker (works only when your audio is muted)	Ctrl + g
Announce who is currently speaking	Shift + Ctrl + Alt + a, then s
Announce current information about the room	Shift + Ctrl + Alt + a, then i

Megan is a Hangouts expert and the author of this help page. Help her improve this article by leaving feedback below.

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