This article is intended for Google Workspace administrators. If you're looking for user help, visit Get started with Google Chat.
As an administrator, you can choose if chat services are available in your organization using the Service Status page.
Before you begin
- Review requirements.
- Turn on Directory contact sharing.
Turn on your chat preference
Before you begin: To turn a service on or off for certain users, put their accounts in an organizational unit (to control access by department) or add them to an access group (to allow access for users across or within departments).
The Chat service setting for your top-level organizational unit controls the interaction between Chat and Space history. To learn more read, Interaction with the chat history setting.
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Sign in to your Google Admin console.
Sign in using an account with super administrator privileges (does not end in @gmail.com).
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In the Admin console, go to Menu
Apps
Google Workspace
- Click Service Status.
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(Optional) To apply the setting only to some users, at the side, select an organizational unit (often used for departments) or configuration group (advanced). Show me how
Group settings override organizational units. Learn more
- Select how you want to use Chat in your organization:
- ON for everyone—Chat works in Gmail and everywhere else. You can also allow this setting to override your space history option .
- OFF for everyone—All Chat clients are turned off.
- Click Save.
Changes can take up to 24 hours but typically happen more quickly. Learn more