The Tech Giant and American browser Google has declared that it will be shutting down its hangouts Platform. The company will upgrade it and replace it with Google Chat as its default application. Users are getting mail from google to download their old chats because all the data will be wiped out if not done. Many Hangout users have already shifted to Google Chats. Just in case you have not, you should download your data before it gets inaccessible.
It is informed that Hangout on the web will be switched from Google Chats as of November 1, 2022.
Google is asking the users who want to back up their Hangout chats to make use of Google takeout and download their data like chats, media, etc. before 1st January 2023. All the Hangouts Data will be deleted by then. It assures the users that Hangouts on the Web and their conversations will be available till 1st November 2022.
Why is Google shifting from Hangouts to Chat?
Google is replacing and preferring Chats over Hangouts because it provides better and close integration with other Google workspace products. Also, there will be advanced and new features available too like a gif picker and Spaces, a steadfast place for the topic-based association. Hangouts App was getting outdated with its current feature set and chats are like a reasonable upgrade to the platform.
How can Users Download Their Data?
If the user wants to back up or store their data, Google is advising users to use Google Takeout and download a copy of their data like chats, media, etc. before 1st January 2023, as the data will only be available till then. There is a sync established between user chat and Hangouts so that the chats will be deleted if the Hangouts data is deleted. You must be wondering how to download the data from Takeout. You can follow the following steps:
- Go to Google Takeout Application and Sign in with your Hangouts Google Account.
- Select Hangouts and unselect the rest options in the available applications.
- Tap on “Next Step”
- Choose how often you want to download the backup in the delivery method. It is recommended to select a one-time download since Hangouts is being replaced by Google chats soon.
- Select the File type.
- Tap on “Export”
- There will be a message on your screen, telling you Google is creating a copy of files from Hangouts and you will get an email when the takeout process is complete. Download the file in order to save your Hangouts Data.
For the people who have already migrated from Google Hangouts to Google Chats, the conversations are automatically migrated. So, users can seamlessly pick up from where they left off. They can search for their old messages or media in the new Chats App As well.
What Happens to Deleted Data?
Google states that if the user deletes any of their chats or other data from Hangouts then the data will be deleted from the chat also.
What if the User Doesn’t use Google Chat?
Many Users have switched from Hangouts to Google chats but there are also those people who do not want to. Those people who don’t like the idea of using Google Chats are being advised to stop using the platform entirely. Furthermore, they can delete their chats or their Google account on Hangouts itself. Google is also giving warnings to those who want to delete their account that the deletion will lead to the removal of all the content belonging to the user including their files, photos, emails, and other data.
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