How to See Your Google Chat History on Mobile and Desktop

PDF download Download Article
A guide to accessing your Gmail chat history
PDF download Download Article

You can easily view your Google chat history using the Gmail mobile app or website. Unfortunately, Google does not give you the option to download the chat history. This wikiHow article teaches you how to view your Google Chat history.

Quick Steps

  1. Open the Gmail app.
  2. Tap the Chats icon at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap a chat to open it.
  4. Scroll through a chat to view it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The chat tab resembles a speech box at the bottom of the Gmail app. If you don't see this tab, use the following steps to enable it: [1]
    • Tap ☰ in the upper-left corner.
    • Tap Settings .
    • Tap your Gmail account (if you have more than one).
    • Tap the checkbox next to "Show the chat tab" under "General".
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the bottom of the screen. The Chat tab has an icon that resembles a speech box. The Spaces tab has an icon that resembles a group of people.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can tap any chat in your Google Chats to open it.
    • Alternatively, you can use the search bar at to search for something specific in your chats.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can view the entire chat history by scrolling up and down. The latest messages will appear at the bottom.
    • While the Gmail app doesn't give you the option to download your chat history, you can take screenshots of each screen (or just the important parts) or export your chat history using Google Takeout. [2]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a Computer Web Browser

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To do so, go to https://mail.google.com/ in a web browser. If you are not logged in automatically, use your email address and password to log in to your Gmail account .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The chat tab resembles a speech box in the panel on the left-hand side. If you don't see this tab, use the following steps to enable it.
    • Click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
    • Click See all settings .
    • Click the Chat and meet tab at the top of the page.
    • Click the radio option next to "Google Chat."
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the menu panel to the left.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Chats are going to be listed in the menu bar to the left under "Direct messages" or "Spaces."
    • Alternatively, you can click Home in the menu bar to view a list of all your chats.
    • To search for something specific within a chat, use the search bar at the top of the page. Then click Conversations or Spaces at the top of the page to view search results in chats. You can also add <nowwiki>in:chats</nowiki> to you search criteria. [3]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Get-the-Chat-History-from-a-Gmail-Address-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can view the entire chat history by scrolling up and down. The latest messages will appear at the bottom.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is there a log of email conversations in Gmail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there is. You can look through the emails individually or look at a response and click, "Show quoted text".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 11
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Always obtain the permission of everyone in a chat record before showing it to anyone else.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Delete a Google or Gmail Account
      How to
      Chat in Gmail
      Complete Guide to Gmail: Send & Manage Email, Contacts & More
      4 Simple Ways to Log Into Your Gmail Account
      How to Access Gmail: Getting Started & Adding Multiple Accounts
      How to
      Recall an Email in Gmail
      How to Bypass Gmail Phone Verification
      5 Simple Ways to Contact Google Support for Gmail
      2 Simple Ways to Recover Your Gmail Password
      How to Sign Out of Gmail on Any Device
      2 Simple Ways to Create a New Gmail Account
      3 Easy Ways to Add Other Accounts to Gmail: Mobile & Desktop
      How to
      Send an Email Using Gmail
      How to Search for Old Emails in Gmail: Desktop and Mobile
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/9341104
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/9966748
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/7655805

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 184,099 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement