Reply to a message in Google Chat

There are several ways to reply to a message in Google Chat. You can:

• Reply in the conversation.
• Reply in a thread to a message in a conversation.
• Quote a message in your reply.
• Use a reply suggestion.
• React to a message.

Respond to a message

2. Open a conversation.
3. In the reply area, enter your message.
4. Click Send .

Reply in a thread

Important: You can reply to any messages. Your reply creates a separate thread. Learn more about threads in Chat conversation.

2. Select a conversation.
3. Select a reply option through the:
   • Thread icon:
     1. Hover over the message.
     2. Click Reply in the Thread .
   • Reply button: At the bottom of a space message, click Reply.
     • You can find this option only in spaces, not in DMs.
     • Tip: If the thread has replies, under the main message, click the indicator that shows the number of replies.
4. In the Thread panel, enter your message.
5. Click Send .

Tip: To find all threads in a group, at the top right, click Thread .

Quote a message in your reply

Important: When you quote a message, the quoted content displays the original message. If the original message is deleted or edited, the quoted content isn’t updated in your reply.

1. Open a conversation.
2. Point to the message.
3. From the available message actions, click Quote in reply .
4. Enter your message.
5. Click Send .

Get suggestions for quick replies

To respond to messages quickly, turn on Smart Reply. When Smart Reply is on, you can find suggestions above the reply area in Chat.

Turn on Smart Reply in Chat

1. On your computer, open Google Chat.
2. At the top right, click Settings .
3. Under “Smart Reply,” click the box.

Turn on Smart Reply in Gmail

1. On your computer, open Gmail.
2. At the top right, click Settings See all settings.
3. At the top, click Chat and Meet Manage chat settings.
4. Under “Smart Reply,” click the box.

Tips:

• To reply, select a suggestion below the message. You can edit the suggestion before you reply.
• Before you can turn on Smart Reply, enable smart features and personalization in Gmail. Learn more about smart features & controls.

Auto-save & sync message drafts

Google Chat automatically saves your unsent messages as drafts across your computer and mobile devices in the conversation compose box and in a new Drafts shortcut. This allows you to start a message on one device and finish it on another.

This feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

Draft messages are automatically saved when you:

• Pause typing for 5 seconds.
• Switch to a different window or application where Google Chat is not in focus.
• Navigate to another screen within Google Chat, such as your chat list or Home.

Access and manage drafts:

1. In Chat, in the left sidebar, select Drafts to view and manage all active drafts.
   Note: If you have no active drafts, this shortcut won’t be visible.
2. Select a draft. You can edit a draft, which opens the conversation with the draft pre-filled, or delete it.
3. Optional: You can access drafts from your chats. When you open a conversation, any saved draft for that conversation automatically appears in the compose box and a new draft icon appears next to conversations that have an unsent draft. This icon takes priority over other indicators like pinned conversations or meeting notifications.

Important:

• Google Chat can store up to 100 drafts. When this limit is reached, the oldest draft is removed to make space for new ones.
• Drafts are kept for 30 days from the last time they were edited.

Related resources

• Send a direct message
• Mark a conversation as read or unread