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 Google Drive and Poll 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.

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. At the bottom, tap Chat .
3. Tap New chat Find apps.
4. Search or browse for an app.
5. Select an app.
6. Tap Install app.

Tips:

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

Your installed apps can be used in your conversations and spaces. When you add an app to a space, you grant the app the ability to:

• Get basic information about the space.
• Create messages in the space.

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Select a conversation or space.
3. At the top, tap the space name or conversation participants Manage apps.
4. Tap Add apps.
5. Search or browse for an app.
6. Tap Install App.

Tips:

• When you add an app to a space, it doesn’t grant the app access to read all messages in the space. It only grants the app access to messages that triggered the app.. Apps that require access to the full message context can only do so with explicit permission.
• When you add an app to a space, the app is also installed in your Apps section. The app is then available in every other space you’re in and may be available in other Workspace products.
• If you want to use the app in a different conversation or space, you don’t have to manually add the app to the conversation. Instead, you can explicitly add the app when you use it in the space with:
  • An @mention
  • A command
  • A relevant link preview

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Open the conversation or space with the app.
3. In the reply area, enter a forward slash /.
   A list of apps appears. Under each app name is a list of commands. As you enter more characters, the list shortens to match. 
4. Choose a command and enter additional info  tap Send .

Tip: If the app isn’t already in the conversation or space, the app is added when you message it.

1. Open the Chat app  or Gmail app .
2. Open a conversation with an app.

• At the top, tap About.