How to use Google Spaces

September 25, 2022 Abraham Smith

If you’re looking for a free and convenient place to chat with your team, family, or co-workers, check out Google Spaces. You can access Google Spaces through Google Chat and Gmail, create spaces that are like communication rooms, share files and images, and more.

We’ll show you how to use Google Spaces and what features you can use to collaborate, plan events, and share items.

Access Google Spaces

Google Chat is home to Google Spaces, but you can also access it conveniently in Gmail. Whether it’s on the web or mobile app, this gives you the flexibility to use it where it’s easiest for you.

Step 1: Visit Google Chat and sign in if needed. You will then see spaces on the left, which you can expand or collapse as needed.

Step 2: If you want to use Gmail, make sure you have Google Chat enabled in Settings. To do this, go to Gmail and sign in.

Step 3: Choose gear icon at the top right to open the settings sidebar. Then select Show all settings.

See All settings in the Gmail Settings sidebar.

Step 4: Go to chat and meet above and tick the option for google chat in which Chat Section.

Step 5: Choose save Changes at the bottom.

You will then see the spaces Section in the left menu that you can open.

Create a space in Google Spaces

You can create a space in Google Spaces in Google Chat or Gmail the same way. Your spaces will be synced so you can use them in both apps as long as you’re signed in with the same Google account. This includes spaces you create and other established spaces you join.

Step 1: Choose plus sign Next spaces on the left or the link for Create or find a room.

Step 2: Choose make space In the list.

Plus sign and link to create a space in Google Spaces.

Step 3: Give your space a name and (optionally) a description.

Step 4: You can instantly invite people to your space by adding their names or email addresses. You can add members later just as easily.

Google Space name and description field.

Step 5: If you have a paid Google Workspace account, e.g. For example, a work account, you can choose to create a restricted space that only people you invite can join, use threaded replies, and allow those outside your organization to join.

Business account options for a Google Space.

Step 6: Choose Create when you’re done

You will see your new room in the spaces Section on the left in Google Chat and Gmail.

Navigate through an area

There are a few main tabs at the top of each panel to make navigation easier. You see chat, files and tasks.

Step 1: Go to Chat tab to talk to other members; This is the main area where all the conversations take place. Similar to an SMS application, you can see each person’s message with their name and icon.

Below is the message field where you can type your message and use options to format it, add an emoji or GIF, upload a file, or start a video call (using Google Meet).

Step 2: Visit the files Tab to view all uploads. This includes files and images that you can access at any time in your space.

Step 3: open that tasks Tab to view all tasks in one pane. You can add a task with a due date, assign it to someone, and view its location in a conversation. When a task is assigned to you, you can visit it tasks Tab to mark it as complete.

Manage the members of a space

You can invite others to your space, review invitations you’ve sent, and remove current members.

Step 1: Open the room with the spaces Section on the left side of Google Chat or Gmail.

Step 2: Choose Arrow next to the space name at the top to open the menu.

Step 3: To quickly add new members, select add people. In the following pop-up window, enter the email addresses, groups or contact names and select Invite.

Box for inviting members to a Google Space.

Step 4: To manage current members, select View Members in the menu.

On the members Tab in the pop-up window you can see all members of the space. Choose Three points to the right of a member to notify, block, or remove them from the section. You can also promote someone to Space Manager or restore them to a member position.

Box for managing members of a Google Space.

Step 5: On the Invited tab, you can see people you’ve sent invitations to who are yet to join the space.

You can also use the plus sign in the pop-up window to invite new people to the room.

Manage chats in Google Spaces

For example, you can pin conversations, choose the notifications you want to receive, and control conversation history.

Step 1: Open the room with the spaces Section on the left side of Google Chat or Gmail.

Step 2: Choose Arrow next to the space name at the top to open the menu.

Step 3: Choose Mark as read or to mark as unread for a specific message.

Step 4: Choose Pen to pin a message you want to track.

Step 5: Choose Turn off history or Turn on history according to your preferences. This setting controls whether or not new messages are deleted within 24 hours.

Menu for a Google Space with conversational actions.

Step 6: Choose notifications to customize the notifications you receive for the space. You can choose to receive notifications for all new messages or just the ones you mention. You can also choose to just see a dot when someone mentions you.

Notification options for a Google Space.

Join a space in Google Spaces

If someone else creates a space and invites you, you can join the space with a few clicks.

Step 1: You’ll receive an email letting you know that you’ve been invited to join a space on Google Spaces.

Select the link or button in the email to open Google Chat.

Step 2: You will see a pop-up window with the space name at the top. You can choose those Arrow next to the name and select View Members to see who has joined the space.

Step 3: Choose Connect to join the room or block if you think it’s spam and want to block it.

Google Spaces is a great place to chat and share items for business and personal communication. Check out our Slack vs. Microsoft Teams comparison if you’re interested in a business-focused chat application.

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