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Alternatives to Google Chat

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Help & Info about Google Chat for Windows

  • Is Hangouts Free?

    Though some features will cost money to use, Hangouts itself does not cost anything. Users can use the messaging services, voip calls, and video chat without paying (though they will need a Google account). Calls to landlines or mobiles do cost. Calls to the US and Canada are not charged.

  • Is Hangouts Safe?

    The app itself, as long as downloaded from the official Google source, is perfectly safe in terms of viruses, malware, and other malicious software. With regards to using the app, one should always exercise sensible practices when dealing any Internet application, and children should be supervised when using messaging services.

  • Is Hangouts Encrypted?

    While Google does offer end to end encryption in some of its other messaging platforms, this app still lacks this feature. End to end encryption means that the information sent, even if intercepted, can not be easily understood, if at all. It is often seen as a valuable security measure.

  • Is Hangouts Private?

    The app gives users the option of both public and private conversations. If private, the conversation is just between the participates and is invite-only. Public, meanwhile, can be watched or listened to by anyone who wishes. In public chats, viewers can also be invited to join in with the conversation.

  • Is Hangouts a Dating App?

    This app is not a dating app, but a communication platform. It can, however, be used to facilitate online dating. It can be used as a quick and easy way of having a face to face conversation with someone before meeting them in person. But its intended use is chat.

  • Does Hangouts Work with iPhone?

    Google have released a version of the app for the Apple App Store. This app works on both iPhones and iPads, and provides the same features as the desktop and Android alternatives. The iPhone app also allows you to sync across platforms, so you can receive your notifications regardless of your device.

  • Does Hangouts Use Data?

    When sending SMS/MMS messages on a device connected to a cellular network, the app will use your phone plan. When using other services, such as text chat or video conference, it will use data. For this reason, it is important to keep track of usage when using more data intensive features.

  • Does Hangouts Save Messages?

    Hangouts does save messages. Chats in this application can be viewed in the app and in Gmail, across all devices, a feature that requires messages to be saved. It is possible to delete this information in settings. Deleting your message history will also mean you can no longer view older messages.

  • Does Hangouts Work in China?

    Technically speaking, the app itself is not specifically prevented from working in China. However, a number of Google domains are blocked in China, and this prevents the application from working. There are ways around this problem, such as VPNs, however caution should be used as workarounds may well be illegal.

  • How Hangouts Video Call?

    Starting a video call in the app is simple. First, open the app and ensure you are logged in. Next, hit the + button to start a new conversation. You should be asked to select the participants you wish to invite to chat. Finally, hit the Video Call button and you're done.

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Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.