Google Hangouts Help Centre
Beginning July 30, 2020, Google Chat will be introduced at TMU as a replacement for Google Hangouts, the text-based messaging app currently used at the university. While Hangouts will still be available for the time being, Google has announced its permanent retirement of Hangouts later this year.
Please refer to the Google Chat Help Centre for FAQs and support.
Google Hangouts is a communications service that allows you to initiate or participate in text, voice, or video chats. Hangouts are built into Google+, Gmail, and mobile Hangouts apps. It offers various features to enhance collaboration and communication.
- Hold impromptu video meetings on the go.
- Participate in virtual training classes from around the world.
- Exchange chat or messages with multiple people across the globe.
Learn how to use Google Hangouts with Google Hangouts Guide
Popular Questions
TMU went live with Google Workspace on October 9, 2012 but did not activate the use of Google Hangouts until January 23, 2017. Hangouts was enabled after improvements to Google’s default settings were made in accordance with the university’s privacy policy.
Hangouts is an app that allows you to send instant messages to individuals and groups of up to 150 people as well as to video conference and share your screen with up to 25 people.
To access Hangouts:
- Log into my.torontomu.ca and find Hangouts under the Apps tab.
- If you’re using Gmail in a browser, find Hangouts on the left-hand side, below your Gmail labels.
- Via the apps icon in the upper right-hand corner of any Google application - be sure to select More.
Video calling has its only dedicated Google Workspace app, Google Hangouts Meet. Read more about Hangouts Meet in the Google Workspace at TMU Guide or Google Workspace Learning Centre (external link) .
Hangouts still exists but will strictly be used for text based chat and phone calls. Hangouts Meet will be a dedicated video conferencing app instead of being part of classic Hangouts. After August 13, 2018 Calendar events will include options to create Meet meetings and all classic Hangouts links will become inactive.