Google Chat, the tech giant's enterprise-focused messaging platform, is receiving a significant update that brings it in line with modern communication standards. After years of user requests, the service is finally adding the ability to schedule messages for future delivery, a feature long available in competitors like Slack and Microsoft Teams, and even in Google's own Gmail. Alongside this functional upgrade, Google is simplifying access to Chat on the web with a new, dedicated URL, aiming to improve the user experience for its Workspace customers.
A Long-Awaited Feature Arrives in Google Chat
The headline update is the introduction of message scheduling, a capability that has become a staple in professional and personal communication tools. Users can now compose a message and choose a specific date and time for it to be sent automatically, with a scheduling window extending up to 120 days into the future. This feature addresses a critical need in global, asynchronous work environments, allowing team members in different time zones to communicate respectfully without sending notifications outside of a colleague's working hours. The process mirrors the familiar workflow in Gmail: after drafting a message, users click a new up-arrow icon next to the send button to select their desired delivery time.
Key Feature Comparison: Message Scheduling
| Platform | Max Scheduling Window | Feature Introduction Year |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chat | 120 days | 2025 (Rollout began Dec 11) |
| Gmail | N/A (Email) | 2019 |
| Slack | 120 days | Available prior to 2025 |
| Microsoft Teams | 7 days | Available prior to 2025 |
Managing Scheduled Communications
All messages set for future delivery are conveniently housed under a new "Drafts" shortcut in the Chat interface's left sidebar. This central hub allows users to review, edit, reschedule, or cancel any pending messages. The implementation offers considerable flexibility, supporting advance planning for projects, reminders, or coordinated announcements. The 120-day scheduling limit matches the capability offered by Slack and far exceeds the 7-day limit currently set by Microsoft Teams, giving Google Chat a competitive edge in long-term planning functionality for enterprise users.
A New, Faster Home on the Web
In addition to the scheduling feature, Google is streamlining how users access Chat via a web browser. While the service was previously nested within Gmail or required a specific bookmark (mail.google.com/chat/), it now has a dedicated, memorable URL: chat.google.com. Google states that this new portal loads the Chat interface faster while maintaining the same user experience. The old methods of access will continue to function, but users relying on certain Chrome extensions built for Chat may need to update them for full compatibility with the new web address.
New Google Chat Web Access Points
- New Primary URL:
chat.google.com(Promised faster load times) - Legacy URL:
mail.google.com/chat/(Will continue to work) - Access via Gmail: Chat button in the left sidebar of Gmail's web interface.
- Note: Chrome extensions may require updates for the new
chat.google.comdomain.
Closing the Feature Gap with Competitors
The introduction of message scheduling is a clear move to close a perceived feature gap between Google Chat and other leading workplace collaboration apps. Gmail itself has offered email scheduling since 2019, making its absence in Chat a notable omission for users within the Google Workspace ecosystem. The rollout for both the scheduling feature and the new web address began on December 11, 2025, with broad availability expected by mid-January 2026. This update represents Google's continued investment in Chat, refining its toolset to better serve the evolving needs of distributed and global teams.