Google Hangouts is being phased out of the Google Play and App Stores as part of the transition to Google Chat

Google Hangouts, the defunct chat programme that debuted as a Google+ feature in 2013, is being replaced with Google Chat, the default messaging app for Google Workspace users.

Because the transition to the new chat service is nearing completion, Google is removing the Hangouts mobile applications from the Google Play and App Store. Android users who have previously downloaded the app will still be able to see it in their list of installed applications, but the app will no longer appear in search results for both current and new users.

According to 9to5Google, the Hangouts app has been removed from both the Google Play and Apple Program Stores, making it impossible for new users to download the defunct chat app on iOS and Android smartphones.

In November 2018, it was announced that Hangouts would be phased down in favour of Google Chat. In October 2020, the firm began moving Workspace users from Hangouts to Meet.

The Google Play and App Store listings for the Hangouts app are no longer available, but users who have previously downloaded the app to their Android smartphones can view it in the Google Play store app by tapping on their profile photo, then selecting Manage apps and device > Manage > Not Installed.

Both listings for Hangouts were no longer available on the App Store and the Google Play Store, although the app was still available to download on an Android phone that previously had the app installed.

The apps functionality does not appear to be blocked for the time being, so users who still have the Hangouts app on their iPhone or Android devices will likely be able to chat contacts until Google disables access.

According to 9to5Google, Google is already migrating current Workspace corporate accounts from Hangouts to Chat, and free accounts are anticipated to follow suit. Users who have yet to download Google Chat on their smartphone or tablet have two alternatives after the Hangouts app is disabled: utilise the Gmail app, which has integrated Chat and Meet support, or download the specialised Google Chat app.