Google Workspace Updates: Preview unread Google Chat messages from the left-hand menu

November 21, 2025

What’s changing

We’re excited to introduce a new way to triage your messages. Now, you can preview the last unread message in conversations directly from the left-hand menu, without marking it as read. 

Simply hover over a bolded conversation to peek at the message. When you are ready to engage, click to jump straight into the conversation or thread and take action. 

Preview unread Google Chat messages

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. This feature will be ON by default as it rolls out.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources