Google Meet Messaging: What Happened to Chat in the New Calling Experience? (And How it Affects Your Google Account Memory Usage)
Welcome to Workalizer.com's Community Insights, where we break down common Google Workspace queries to help you navigate your digital tools more effectively. Today, we're diving into a recent change in Google Meet that has left some users wondering about a familiar feature: in-call messaging.
Google Meet Messaging: What Happened to Chat in the New Calling Experience?
A user, Jacob Howell 9773, recently posted in the Google support forum with a straightforward question: "Can't send messages." This simple query highlights a significant shift in how Google Meet handles communication, particularly for those accustomed to its previous iteration or the legacy Google Duo features.
The Core Insight: A Feature Deprecation
The expert reply from PeggyK quickly clarifies the situation: "The new Google Meet calling that replaced legacy/Duo calling does not include the option to send a message. That transition to the new Meet calling should have been completed in January."
This means that if you've recently noticed the absence of a chat function during your Google Meet calls, it's not a bug or a setting you've missed. It's an intentional design change as Google integrates its communication services. The "new Google Meet calling" is distinct from the traditional Google Meet meetings you might schedule through Calendar, which still retain their in-meeting chat functionality. This particular change applies to direct calls initiated via the Meet app, which evolved from Google Duo.
What This Means for Your Workflow
For users who relied on quick messages during direct Meet calls, this change necessitates an adjustment. You'll need to consider alternative methods for sharing links, notes, or quick thoughts during these specific types of calls. Options include:
- Using Google Chat: For ongoing conversations or to share information before/after a call, Google Chat remains the primary messaging platform within Workspace.
- Email: For more formal or detailed communication.
- Other Messaging Apps: If the context allows, external messaging tools might be an option.
Broader Workspace Context: Managing Your Digital Footprint
Understanding these platform-specific feature changes is crucial for efficient Google Workspace management. While the absence of a direct messaging feature in Meet calling might seem minor, it influences how you communicate and, indirectly, how you manage your digital assets. For instance, if you find yourself using more external tools for quick notes during calls, it's worth considering how that impacts your overall data organization and potentially your google account memory usage.
Keeping track of where information resides – whether in Google Chat, Drive, or other platforms – is key to maintaining a streamlined workflow. Regularly reviewing your digital habits can also provide insights into your gdrive stats, helping you understand storage consumption and identify areas for optimization. While this specific Meet update doesn't directly add to storage, a fragmented communication strategy can lead to duplicated efforts or scattered information, indirectly affecting your overall digital footprint.
Key Takeaway for Workalizer.com Readers
The "Can't send messages" query highlights a clear distinction in Google's evolving communication suite. The new Google Meet calling experience, which replaced legacy Duo calling, does not support in-call messaging. For traditional scheduled Google Meet meetings, the chat feature remains available. Being aware of these nuances helps you adapt your communication strategies and ensures you're leveraging Google Workspace tools effectively.
Stay informed about Google Workspace updates to optimize your productivity and manage your digital resources, including your google account memory usage, efficiently.
Source: Google Support Forum Thread #406947605