Delete this Google app from your phone before it loses all support
Many people have a Gmail account as their primary email. And your Google account gives you access to all of the tech giant’s additional apps and services. Tap or click here to see the shocking amount of data Google collects from your phone.
An easy way to communicate with other Google account holders is through Google Hangouts. The chatting app is built into the Gmail interface or available as a stand-alone app.
But Hangouts has reached the end of the road, and Google is urging users to switch over to the Google Chat replacement. Read on to see how you can do that and a few things you need to know before you do.
Here’s the backstory
Google Chat was initially only available to selected users, but the company opened it for use by everyone in late 2020 while still keeping Hangouts around. But development and support will stop for Hangouts soon, so Google is encouraging the remaining users to make the switch.
The upgraded chatting functionality includes some new actions that Hangout users can’t see. For example, Google Chat includes the topic-based collaboration area Spaces. You can also change Docs, Slides or Sheets with side-by-side editing.
If you still use Hangouts, the next time you launch the app, you’ll be greeted with a screen asking you to upgrade from Hangouts to Chat. So you might want to download a copy of your Hangouts chat history before the app disappears in November.
Here’s how you can do that through Google Takeout:
- Go to Google Takeout and sign in with the Google Account you use in Hangouts.
- In the available applications, select Hangouts and deselect the rest.
- Click Next Step.
- In the Delivery method, choose how often you want to download the backup. Google recommends a one-time download.
- Choose the file type and click on Export.
Next, you’ll see a message telling you that Google is creating a copy of files from Hangouts. You will receive an email when the process is complete. The final step is to download the file to save your Hangouts data.
Remember that you only have until November 2022 to download the data, as Hangouts data will no longer be available in Gmail.
What you can do about it
Tech how-to: Tips and tricks to get more out of Google Chat
During the pandemic, a number of video chat programs have skyrocketed in popularity. Zoom is the most obvious one, but competitors like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet aren’t too far behind.
Each video chat platform has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some are better for work while others are better for day-to-day chatting. Tap or click here to see how each of these services stacks up against one another.
Tech tip: How to video conference from your Android phone
Your home office is already set up and, of course, the one thing you forgot was a webcam. Now what?
Well, first things first: Make sure you didn’t forget anything else. Tap or click here for 5 essential Coronavirus work-from-home tips to make sure you’re set up the right way.
People are trolling college courses with horrifying results
It’s difficult for students to study at home in light of COVID-19. Not only are the normal joys of school-aged life postponed until further notice, but the senior classes of 2020 are also missing out on rites of passage like graduation.
5 apps to help seniors navigate the coronavirus pandemic
Things are pretty up in the air for everyone right now, thanks to COVID-19. It’s a challenging time in general, but it can be more challenging if you’re not even allowed to leave your home.
People over 70 are one of the most vulnerable groups, so you’re encouraged to be as isolated as possible. This can make anyone miserable, since it can be lonely. But safety comes first.
Feeling lonely? Here's how to host a virtual get-together with friends and family
Going stir-crazy yet? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are now under some form of shelter-in-place, lockdown or work-from-home arrangement that keeps them from socializing with their friends and loved ones.
Despite our mutual frustrations, all this quarantine business is happening for a reason. It’s all part of the effort to flatten the curve of infection and slow down the number of new COVID-19 cases. Tap or click to see a map to track them.