How to Control Google Workspace Users’ Chat Space History Settings

Quick and easy-to-follow guide for Google Workspace administrators

When history is off, messages get deleted after 24 hours.

You can specify the default history setting in unthreaded Google Chat spaces. 

However, users can always change the history setting in spaces they create if you allow chat history changes.

History in threaded chat spaces

  • For threaded spaces, history is always on.
  • You can never change this. 

History changes

  • History changes apply to new messages.
  • For example, if a user turns spaces history on, only new messages are saved.
  • If a user turns spaces history off, old messages they previously saved will remain saved.

Google Vault and chat spaces history

  • Vault can’t hold, retain, or search messages sent while chat history is off.
  • Check with a Vault admin to confirm that these history settings comply with your organization’s data retention obligations.

How to manage chat spaces history settings in Google Admin step-by-step with images

Step 1

How To Control The Chat History In Google Chat Spaces For Google Workspace Users - Step 1

In the Admin console at https://admin.google.com, click the Apps icon.

Step 2

How To Control The Chat History In Google Chat Spaces For Google Workspace Users - Step 2

Select Google Workspace.

Step 3

How To Control The Chat History In Google Chat Spaces For Google Workspace Users - Step 3

Click Google Chat and classic Hangouts. Make sure not to check the box to the left; just click the service’s name.

Step 4

How To Control The Chat History In Google Chat Spaces For Google Workspace Users - Step 4

Click the History for Spaces section.

Step 5

How To Control The Chat History In Google Chat Spaces For Google Workspace Users - Step 5

Choose if you want history in Chat spaces to be ON or OFF by default and click SAVE after any updates. Changes may take up to 24 hours to take effect.

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