How to Set Up and Use Google Spaces

Google Spaces functions like a workspace to let people communicate, share files, and collaborate. When you have a Google account, you can easily set up and use Google Spaces for any purpose and start adding other people with Google accounts.

How to Enable Google Spaces in Gmail

If you’re not seeing the Google Spaces icon in the left menu of Gmail, enable it from Gmail’s Quick Settings via the following steps:

1. Click on the gear icon in the top right of Gmail to open “Quick settings.”

2. Under “Apps in Gmail,” click on the “Customize” button.

3. Check the boxes for “Google Chat” and “Google Meet,” then click “Done.”

More on Google Chat: learn how to activate and use Google Chat on your phone and PC.

4. Click “Reload” to see the new settings.

5. There will be a new column with “Mail,” “Chat,” “Spaces,” and “Meet,” to the left of the default Gmail column.

How to Create a Google Space

You need to be in a space or start a chat to use Google Space’s features. Follow the steps below to create a space:

1. Click the “Spaces” icon on the left.

2. Click on the “New space” button to create a Google Space.

3. Click on the “Create a space” button.

4. Add a space name and description (optional), add people or groups via their name or Gmail address, then click “Create.”

5. People added to the space will need to accept the invitation via email.

Good to know: you can add one to 8,000 Gmail accounts in each space you create.

Good to know: get more out of Gmail by automating your Gmail.

How to Remove Members from an Existing Google Space

Follow these steps to remove members from an existing Google Space:

1. Go to the space in question.

2. Click on the space name.

3. Click on the “Manage members” button in the drop-down menu.

4. To remove a member, click on the three vertical dots to the right of their name and email, then select “Remove from space.”

How to Add Members to an Existing Google Space

Follow these steps to add members to an existing Google Space:

1. Go to the space in question.

2. Click on the space name.

3. Click on the “Manage members” button in the drop-down menu.

4. Click on the “Add” button.

5. Add the user’s Gmail address, then click on their email when it shows. Once you’ve added all the desired people to your space, click “Add.”

6. Click on “Invited” under “Manage members” to see the invites you’ve sent.

7. You’ll see all pending invitations on the “Invited” page.

8. To cancel the invitation, block the invited person, or send them a message, click on the three vertical dots next to their name and email.

How to Edit the Guidelines of a Google Space

You can add text guidelines for existing Google Spaces you manage. Use the guidelines section to let members know the purpose of the space, its rules, and other useful information.

1. Go to the space in question.

2. Click on the space name.

3. Click on “Space details” in the drop-down menu.

4. Click on the “Edit” button.

5. You can also add a space icon and change the space name and description. When you’re done, click “Save.”

How to Manage a Google Space’s Notifications

You can choose to receive all notifications, follow threads and mentions, or turn off all notifications for a space by following the steps below:

1. Go to the space in question.

2. Click on the space name.

3. Click on the “Notifications” button in the drop-down menu.

4. Click on whether you want to receive notifications for all new messages and replies to threads you follow, for replies to threads you follow and @mentions, or none, then click “Save.”

FYI: become a messaging pro when you learn how to send and read messages via Google Assistant.

How to Manage a Google Space’s Message History

Make messages disappear 24 hours after a space member sends them by following the steps below:

1. Go to the space in question.

2. Click on the space name.

3. Click on the “Turn off history” button in the drop-down menu.

4. All space members will see that history is turned off.

Turn history back on by going back to step 3.

9 Other Features of Google Spaces

There are a variety of things you can do with Google Spaces, making it a good Slack alternative:

1. Edit text you’ll send as messages within the space.

2. Search for and use emojis in messages.

3. Search for and share GIFs.

4. Upload and share files.

5. Add a Google Meet link.

6. Share and manage files from Google Drive.

Good to know: use these Google Drive keyboard shortcuts to make your navigation more efficient.

7. Create calendar invites for scheduled Google Meet calls and other events.

8. Create and edit Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets within the space, allowing space members to contribute and communicate.

9. Assign tasks to space members.

Tip: have a Google Doc to e-sign? Learn how to add a written signature to Google Docs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find Google Spaces ?

You can find Google Spaces in Google Chat and Gmail. It’s integrated with these Google Workspace apps and isn’t a standalone feature.

Is Google Spaces free?

Google Spaces is free for all Gmail users. However, if you don’t have a Google Workspace subscription, you’ll only have 15 GB of storage across all Google Workspace apps, and you can only add up to 100 people in a Google Meet call.

Is there a Google Spaces app?

There’s no standalone Google Spaces app for Android, iOS, macOS, or Windows. Even if you can use Google Spaces inside Gmail when you’re on a computer, you can’t use Google Spaces in the Gmail mobile app.

The only way to use Google Spaces if you’re not on a computer is by downloading the Google Chat mobile app for Android or iOS.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Natalie dela Vega.