We recommend Hangouts Chat, a Google service available in your Drew Google account. (Hangouts Chat will only work with a G Suite account. Make sure you are only logged in to your Drew account in the browser you are using.)
Google's Hangouts Chat Help hub
How to Access
- Web: chat.google.com
- Android: Install the app from the Google Play Store.
- iPhone: Install the app from the Apple Store.
Send a Direct Message
Google instructions: Send a direct message
Messages can be sent from the web or in the app.
- At chat.google.com:
- Click in the "Find people, rooms, bots" box and start typing a name or email address.
- Click on the right suggestion
- Type your message and press Return
- Click in the "Find people, rooms, bots" box and start typing a name or email address.
- From the app (iPhone or Android):
- Tap the +
- Start typing a name or email address.
- Tap the right suggestion
- Type your message and tap Send
The next time you want to message someone you've spoken to recently, you will find them listed as a recent contact in the menu to the left (on the web), or in the People section of the app.
Chat Rooms
Google instructions: Create a room
Rooms are places for multiple people to be involved in conversation. They are typically used for long-term chats, and are searchable.
Rooms can be created and participated in from the web or the app.
- At chat.google.com:
- Click in the "Find people, rooms, bots" box and start typing a name or email address.
- Choose "Create room" from the drop down menu (highlighted in blue below).
- Name your room and click Create.
- Click Add people & bots
- Enter names or email addresses and choose from the list of suggestions for those you wish to invite to the room.
- Click in the "Find people, rooms, bots" box and start typing a name or email address.
- From the app (iPhone or Android):
- At the bottom, tap Rooms .
- Tap Add .
- Tap Create room.
- Enter a name and then tap Done .
- Tap Add people & bots.
- Enter names of people, email addresses, and bots, or select from the suggestions. Suggestions include everyone in your organization, even if they don't have Hangouts Chat. Repeat for each invitee.
- Tap Done .
- Enter names or email addresses and choose from the list of suggestions for those you wish to invite to the room.
Tap New to start a new conversation in the room.
Notifications
Chat notifications can be a bit tricky. To see what works best for your use of Chat, be it on a computer, on a mobile device, or a mix, review your notification options here and some troubleshooting tips here.
You can also snooze notifications.