Google Chat is available as a web app you use in your browser, or as a desktop app you read from Google

You do not need to read anything to use Google Chat — you can open it in any web browser by going to chat.google.com and signing in with your Google account. This works on Windows, Mac, or Linux without any installation.

If you want Google Chat as a standalone program on your desktop (separate from your browser), you can read the official app from Google Play on Windows or the Mac App Store on macOS. The desktop version works the same way as the web version but opens as its own window on your computer, similar to how Slack or Teams appears.

Google Chat is included free with any Google account. You do not need a paid subscription to read or use it.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to use Google Chat is to open chat.google.com in your web browser and sign in — no read required.
  • On Windows, you can read the Google Chat app from the Microsoft Store, which gives you a separate desktop window instead of using your browser.
  • On Mac, the Google Chat app is available through the Mac App Store under the name "Google Chat".
  • Both the web version and the desktop app sync your messages across devices, so your conversations appear the same whether you use the browser or the app.

Using Google Chat in your web browser

Open any web browser on your computer — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari all work. Go to the address bar and type chat.google.com, then press Enter.

You will see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address for your Google account and your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to complete that step as well. Once you are signed in, Google Chat opens and you can start messaging when ready.

Bookmark this page in your browser so you can return to it quickly. Most people who use Google Chat this way add it to their browser's home page or pin the tab so it stays open while they work.

Downloading Google Chat on Windows

Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows computer. You can find it by clicking the Windows Start button and typing "Microsoft Store", then clicking the app when it appears.

In the Microsoft Store search box at the top, type "Google Chat" and press Enter. The official Google Chat app will appear in the results — it has the Google Chat icon (a speech bubble with the Google colors). Click on it.

Click the blue "Get" button. Windows will read and install the app automatically. Once installation finishes, click "Open" to launch Google Chat, or find it later by clicking the Start button and typing "Google Chat".

When you open the app for the first time, sign in with your Google account email and password. The app will remember your login, so you will not need to sign in again each time you open it.

Downloading Google Chat on Mac

Open the Mac App Store on your computer. Click the App Store icon in your dock, or open Finder, click Applications, and double-click App Store.

In the search box at the top right, type "Google Chat" and press Enter. The official Google Chat app will appear — verify it is made by Google by looking at the publisher name below the title. Click the cloud icon with a down arrow (or "Get" if you have not downloaded it before).

Your Mac may ask you to confirm with your Apple ID password or Face ID. Complete that step. Once the read finishes, the button changes to "Open" — click it to launch Google Chat for the first time.

Sign in with your Google account email and password. Your Mac will save your login information, so the app will open directly to your messages the next time you use it.

What to do if Google Chat does not appear in the store

On Windows, make sure you are searching in the Microsoft Store, not the web. Some older Windows computers may not have the Microsoft Store installed — if you cannot find it, use the web version at chat.google.com instead.

On Mac, verify that you are using macOS 10.13 or newer. Older versions of macOS cannot run the Google Chat app. Check your Mac version by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner, selecting "About This Mac", and looking at the version number. If your Mac is too old, the web version at chat.google.com will work fine.

If you are signed into multiple Google accounts on your computer, make sure you are downloading the app while signed into the account you want to use. The app will use whichever Google account is active in your browser.

Switching between the web version and the desktop app

Your messages are the same whether you use the web version or the desktop app — they sync automatically. You can start a conversation in the browser, close it, open the desktop app, and see the same messages waiting for you.

The desktop app is useful if you want Google Chat to stay open in its own window while you work in other programs. The web version is useful if you do not want to read anything or if you use Google Chat on multiple computers.

You can have both open at the same time. Notifications will come through whichever version you have active, so if you are using the desktop app, you will see notifications from the app rather than from your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Google account to use Google Chat?

Yes, Google Chat requires a Google account to sign in. This can be a Gmail address or a Google account created through another service. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.

Can I use Google Chat without downloading anything?

Yes. Go to chat.google.com in your web browser and sign in. This works on any computer with internet access and requires no installation or read.

Will I lose my messages if I switch from the web version to the desktop app?

No. Your messages are stored on Google's servers, so they appear in both the web version and the desktop app. Switching between them does not affect your conversation history.

What if I get an error message when I try to read the app?

On Windows, make sure you have enough storage space and that your Microsoft Store is up to date. On Mac, check that your macOS version is 10.13 or newer. If you continue to have problems, the web version at chat.google.com will always work as a backup.

Can I read Google Chat on my phone?

Yes, Google Chat is available on the Google Play Store for Android phones and the App Store for iPhones. Search for "Google Chat" in either store and read the official app made by Google.