Search for Google Chat messages

In Google Chat, you can search:

  • In all your messages.
  • For messages that include specific people.
  • For messages that include certain types of content, such as images.

Important:

  • To search for Chat messages in Gmail, turn on Chat in Gmail.
  • You can search for messages in conversations you joined or can join.
  • To filter your search results, you can also use search operators.
  • You can’t search for messages using the Gmail API.
  • Even if you’re invited to join, you can’t search for messages in conversations or spaces that someone from a different organization created.

Search for messages in Chat & Gmail

Image for: Search for messages in Chat & Gmail
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chat app or the Gmail app .
    • In Gmail: At the bottom, tap Chat .
  2. At the top, enter search text.
  3. Select an option:
    • At the bottom, on your keyboard, tap Search .
    • Tap a recent search.
  4. To open a result, tap it.

Search for messages in a space or conversation

Image for: Search for messages in a space or conversation
  1. In Chat, open the conversation to search.
  2. At the top right, tap More options Search in conversation .
  3. Enter your search text.
  4. To open a result, tap it.

Filter & sort messages

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  1. In Chat, at the top, enter search text.
    • As you enter text, filters appear below.
  2. Select a filter to find the following types of messages:
    • From: Messages sent from specific people.
    • Said in: Messages said in a specific conversation or space.
    • Attachment: Messages that include documents, spreadsheets, slides, and more.
    • Date: Messages sent during a specific date range.
    • Has link: Messages that include links.
    • Mentions me: Messages that mention you.
    • Only conversations I’m in: Messages from conversations that you’re a member of.
  3. Optional: To sort messages, below the filters, tap Sort menu.
    • Most relevant: Sort messages by how relevant they are to your search text.
    • Most recent: Sort messages by how recent they are.
  4. Tap a search result.
    • Results from spaces you haven't joined may appear. To join, next to the message, tap Join.

Delete suggested search results

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When you enter in the Chat search bar, suggestions may appear based on your search history. To find messages, you can select a suggested search result.

  • Suggestions are stored for 90 days after their use.
  • Search history for suggestions isn’t shared between Chat and Chat in Gmail.
  • You can delete your recent searches or your entire search history.
  1. In Chat, tap the search bar.
  2. Under “Recent searches,” you can:
    • Delete a recent search: Tap and hold a search item tap Delete.
    • Delete all searches: Tap Delete all.

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