When it comes to instant messaging apps, there are a plethora of options available out there. Google Hangouts is one renowned service that has stayed still among all messaging apps. And the main reason for Google Hangouts to be this concrete through all this time is the fact that it is associated with our Google account which we can’t live without. A majority of users use Android smartphones and Google’s services, and this is why Hangouts has always remained close to us. Well, not just Android, iOS users can also use this app which is another reason for its profound popularity amongst millions of users across the globe.
With time and with each new update Google tends to make this app more and more useful by adding a variety of features like video calling, group chats and so on.
Before wasting any further minute, let’s explore a few of Google Hangouts tips and tricks that can enhance your experience of using this service to a great extent.
Customize Who Can Contact You
As Google is one humungous platform, there are a lot of contacts embedded in our circle. But did you know that Google Hangouts allows you to customize which all contacts can send you a direct message or not? Head on to Settings, tap on your email address and select “Customize invites” option to select who all can contact you.
Snooze Notifications
As most of us are mostly logged in to your Gmail account, at some point or another anyone can contact you seeing you active. And this gets really embarrassing when you’re busy doing some other work. So, next time whenever you want to snooze notifications for a particular set of time here’s what you need to do. Tap on the main menu, find Snooze notifications option and then select a period of time when you don’t want to disturb from any of your contacts.
Home screen Widget
Google Hangouts app widget plays a unique role where you can view all your messages without opening the app. So, make sure you create one widget on the home screen for Google Hangouts and place it anywhere on the blank area of your Smartphone’s screen.
On-Screen Notifications
If you want to save yourself from being embarrassed when anyone reads your conversations from the lock screen itself, then here’ what you need to do. Head on to Settings > Sound & Notification and tap on App notifications. Disable this switch to save yourself from any kind of embarrassment in future.
Chat Commands
Chant commands can prove out to be really useful on Google Hangouts app especially when you’re having group conversations. To address a particular person while in a group chat you can use the “/to” followed by contact name to address them privately.
Erase Messages
If you want your entire chat history messages to be deleted for a particular contact here’s what you need to do. Tap the three vertical dots and select Turn history off option if you want all the texts to erase after a specific period of time.
Have Fun Doodling
To make your conversations more fun and entertaining with your friends you can even draw while chatting. To draw on Google Hangouts, open any chat box and tap the pencil icon to draw something of your own.
Send Messages to Circles
Whenever you need to broadcast an important message via Google Hangouts it’s pretty simple. To send a message to all your contacts at once, tap the new message window and look for circles like Friends, Family, acquaintances and so on. Once you select any circle, the particular message will be sent to all the group members at once.
There were a few Google Hangouts tips and tricks to make the most of this chat service. Hope these tips will make your experience better on this app!
Good luck!