Preview unread Google Chat messages from the left-hand menu

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.

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

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting November 21, 2025, with expected completion by mid-December 2025

Availability

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