What are Google Hangouts?

Google Hangouts will be retired in 2022 and replaced by Google Chat. Like other online conferencing tools, you can use Google Hangouts to hold meetings or host web meetings. It also lets you send messages and make video and audio calls using Google Voice, which is still available.

In its basic form, Google Hangouts is a text messaging platform. From your computer or phone, you can call and text people, send emojis and media files, and browse videos using its built-in video search feature.

Here are some other noteworthy features offered by Google Hangouts:

• Voicemails can be stored in your account.
• You can have up to 250 people in a group text conversation.
• Video chat can consist of 25 people.
• Text messaging is supported during calls.
• The link to the Google Hangouts call can be shared with anyone you want to join the call.
• The app lets you send your current location.
• Conversations can be bookmarked and listed first for easy access.

Google has other similar services such as Google Chat and Google Voice. Both are free and have many of the same features as Google Hangouts. You can make any free call via voice and send text messages via chat with other Google users. There's also Google Meet for one-on-one or group meetings.

If you want to ditch the Google option, there are countless apps that serve as great alternatives to Google Hangouts. Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are well-known messaging and calling apps, but there are many other options. Likewise, we've kept a list of the best text messaging apps, which includes options like WhatsApp and Telegram.

FAQ

• Yes, but group calling and many other features have been removed. For video conferencing, use Google Meet or Zoom.

• Yes, but Google retains records of online text conversations in compliance with federal law. These records are protected by Google's privacy policy and can only be obtained through a court subpoena as part of a criminal investigation. Otherwise, Google uses state-of-the-art encryption so no one outside the conversation can view your messages.