How to Send a Google Chat Invitation in Gmail: Desktop & Mobile Guide

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Quick and easy steps to send or accept a Gmail chat invite
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To chat with someone on Gmail, you'll first have to invite them to chat with you. You can do this from the Chat tab on Gmail's website, as well as in the Gmail mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. This wikiHow guide will teach you how to invite someone to chat with you on Gmail. We'll also show you how to approve chat invitations from others.

Inviting Someone to Chat in Gmail

Click the Chats tab in the left panel and select "New chat." Start typing the person's name or Gmail address, then click the correct person. Click "Start chat" and send your first message. If it's the first time chatting this person, they'll receive an invitation.

Section 1 of 3:

Invite Someone to Chat on a Computer

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    Go to https://mail.google.com in your web browser. If you aren't already logged in with your Google account, enter your Gmail address and password to sign in now.
  2. 2
    Click the Chat tab. It's the chat bubble icon in the left panel, directly left of your folder list.
    • If you don't see this tab, you need to enable Chat in Gmail. Here's how:
      • Click the gear icon at the upper-right corner of Gmail and select See all settings .
      • Click the Chat and Meet tab.
      • Next to "Chat," select Google Chat .
      • Click Save Changes at the bottom.
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  3. 3
    Click the New chat button. This opens a smaller window.
  4. 4
    Enter the person's name or email address. As long as you've emailed with this person in Gmail before (and they have a Gmail address ), you should be able to type their name or address and see the correct person in the search results. Click the correct person when they appear.
    • If you're using a Google Workspace, the admin may not allow you to invite users from outside the organization. [1]
  5. 5
    Click Start chat . This opens a new DM window.
  6. 6
    Type your first message and press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return . If you haven't chatted with this person, this will invite them to chat with you . Once they accept the invite, you can start chatting in Gmail. [2]
    • Group chat tip: If you want to start a group chat in Gmail, try creating a Google Space instead. To do so, click New chat , then click Create a Space at the top of the pop-up window. Give the Space a name, then click Add members to invite people. You can also share a link to the space you've created by clicking the down-arrow at the top and selecting Copy link to this space . [3]
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Section 2 of 3:

Invite Someone to Chat on Mobile

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  1. 1
    Open the Gmail app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. If you're using a phone or tablet, you can invite people to chat right from the Gmail app. Or, if you prefer a dedicated chat app, you can use the Google Chat app .
  2. 2
    Tap the Chat tab. It's the speech bubble icon at the bottom of the screen.
    • If you don't see the tab, you just need to enable it. Here's how:
      • Tap the menu ☰ at the top-left.
      • Scroll down and tap Settings .
      • On Android, select your Gmail account, then turn on "Show the chat and spaces tab."
      • On iOS, tap Chat under "Apps in Gmail," toggle the "Chat" switch on, and tap Done . [4]
  3. 3
    Tap the New Chat icon. It's the icon of a chat bubble with a plus + at the bottom of the screen.
  4. 4
    Enter the person's name or email address. As long as you've emailed with this person in Gmail before (and they have a Gmail address), you should be able to type their name or address into the "Person, space, or app" field and find them in the search results. Tap the correct person when they appear.
    • You can invite more than one person to the chat if you'd like.
    • If you're signed in with a Google Workspace, the admin may not allow you to chat with users outside the organization. [5]
  5. 5
    Type your first message and tap the Send button. If it's the first time you're chatting with this person, this will invite them to chat. Once they accept your invitation, you'll be able to chat with them in Gmail.
    • Group chat tip: If you want to start a group chat in Gmail, try creating a Google Space instead. To do so, tap the New Chat icon, select Create a space , give the space a name, and tap Create . Tap Add members to invite whoever you'd like. You can also share a link to the Space by tapping the space's icon and selecting Copy link to this space .
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Accept a Gmail Chat Invitation

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  1. 1
    On desktop
    • Click the Chats tab in Gmail.
    • Click New chat .
    • Click Message requests .
    • Click the name of the person who invited you.
    • Click Accept . Alternatively, you can Ignore the invitation. [6]
  2. 2
    On mobile
    • Open the Gmail app and tap the Chats tab.
    • Tap the New Chat icon.
    • Tap Message requests .
    • Tap Accept . Alternatively, you can Ignore the invitation.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I added some contacts on Google Hangouts, but it says they haven't accepted my invitation. What do I do?
    David Placca
    Community Answer
    If the contacts you added don't have you in their contact list, they'll receive an invitation from you which they'll have to confirm so you can be connected to them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I chat with my phone through Google Hangouts?
    Community Answer
    Yes, just get the Google Hangouts app.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/a/answer/9296706?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7652736
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/12176488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/9341104?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/a/answer/9296706?hl=en
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/9304276?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=0

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