Users are being forced to use Chat instead of Hangouts by Google. An in-app prompt inviting users to switch to the Chat app or Chat in Gmail started appearing for those using Hangouts on desktop and mobile. Users of the Hangouts Chrome extension will be prompted to switch to Chat or download the Chat web app.
Users of Hangouts in Gmail on the web will be updated to Chat in July, according to a Google announcement. The company revealed in a blog post last month that it will start moving free Hangouts users to Chat, as was initially planned for October 2020.
Google stated in a blog post that switching to Chat will enable users to modify Docs, Slides, or Sheets side-by-side, making it simpler to collaborate while carrying on the chat. Additionally, it has Spaces, a location designated for collaboration on specific topics.
Additionally, it was stated that teams and organizations could collaborate on documents, discuss ideas, and manage projects and files from a single spot. Using Chat alongside your Gmail inbox is made simpler by Gmail’s new integrated view.