Google takes final steps to bring remaining free Hangouts users to Chat

The sunsetting of Google Hangouts is upon us, and Google is ensuring we do not forget it. Of course, we’ve known for some time now that Google Hangouts would go away and that Chat, both for free and for Workspace users, would take its place. However, as Google gets ready to close down the once very popular chat application, some of its users are still holding on until the end and may need to be nudged a bit to proceed with the transition.

As a result, and starting today, anyone still left using Hangouts on mobile will receive an in-app message urging them to switch to the Chat app or Chat in Gmail. A similar request will be made to users of the Hangouts Chrome extension to switch to Chat on the web or download the Chat web app. In addition, starting in July, those still using Hangouts in Gmail on the web will be automatically upgraded to Chat in Gmail.

Google states that although they strongly encourage users to switch to Chat as soon as possible, Hangouts on the web will still be functional until later this year. Before Hangouts on the Web starts redirecting to Chat on the web, users will begin to see an in-product warning at least one month in advance. Additionally, although conversations in Hangouts are normally transferred to Chat without issues for most users, Google strongly advises that before Hangouts is discontinued in November, those who want to save a copy of their data should do so utilizing the Google Takeout tool.

Hangouts will always hold a special place in my heart as it had everything I could ever want out of a messaging app. However, one would be remiss to discount how much more polished and powerful Chat is. I suppose that’s the price you pay for progress in this ever-evolving tech world.