The Google Hangouts chat window in Gmail can be an annoying distraction if you just want to check your email in peace. So how can you disable it?
First of all, you need to be signed in to Gmail and be looking at one of your inboxes. In the top right-hand corner is a little cog, click that and then select “Settings” from the dropdown box that opens.
In the settings go to the Chat tab, click the radio button labelled “Chat off” and press save changes. The web page will now reload automatically and return you to your inbox. The Google Hangouts chat window will now be hidden.
Candace says
No because I’m still getting messages in my box even with chats and hangout turned off. I want both of them off my email not just hidden
Kelly says
So helpful – thank you!
Joe says
Thanks!
Billy Wall says
Yes! Thanks very much!
It’s a whole lot easier to manage Chat threads in a separate Hangouts window, without having them cover (and interrupt) email activity.