How to Remove Chat from the Gmail Sidebar
Between voice calling and instant messaging, Gmail’s sidebar chat box might be really useful. But, if you don’t use it the thing is just taking up space.
Tired of seeing that pesky chat window on the left side of Gmail? There are plenty of reasons to get rid of it. Perhaps you have Google Talk installed, perhaps you don’t like instant messaging, or maybe you just use a different service. Getting rid of the chatbox is easy, just follow these simple steps.
Remove Chat Sidebar from Gmail
Log in to Gmail as you normally would, and then click the Gear (settings) button at the top-right of the window and select Settings.
Click the Chat tab and select the Chat Off bullet option.
Scroll down to the bottom and Save Changes.
Done! Now Gmail will no longer pester you with annoying chat requests and you’ll have that much more room on your sidebar.
If you are working on a smaller screen, this is quite a luxury. The only downside is that you won’t be able to make Voice Calls via Google Voice anymore, but you can still install the Google Voice extension and send text messages.
21 Comments
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jdjcpa
August 24, 2014 at 10:39 pm
It still leaves the space at the side of the screen, only it is empty. I’m about ready to quit gmail over this. Someone let them know they’re causing grief over this.
JasonR
September 8, 2015 at 9:56 am
jdjcpa that is my experience as well (still) 1 yr later. very annoying when throwing the gmail window to the side for a 1/2 display. all that wasted space with the sidebar.
Hung
October 4, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Go to Gmail Setting -> Labs -> Search “Right side chat” -> Turn off -> save and enjoy
alison
July 10, 2017 at 11:16 pm
thanks @Hung. it’s really worked… Thanks a lot..
Mary McHenry
June 8, 2019 at 11:33 am
Yes it worked and thank you so much!! Now…do you have a fix for the annoying pop up that shows up each time you make any changes to your email…delete, move, etc??? Why is Gmail doing all this, without giving you the ability to opt out???
kathy lawton
November 10, 2016 at 9:05 am
it’s much better than before. My sent mail and spam didn’t even fit.
So glad to be rid of chat.
Hung
September 24, 2015 at 9:59 am
Go to Gmail Setting -> Labs -> Search “Right side chat” -> Turn off -> save and enjoy
Karl
October 3, 2015 at 7:22 am
That’s the ticket. Thanks!
n1b5
June 17, 2016 at 3:06 am
Reeeeeeeeesult! At last. Good work, thanks.
JasonR
September 24, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Hung: this solution does not free up the space previously occupied by the gchat sidebar unfortunately.
sasha
January 1, 2016 at 4:23 pm
I tried to get rid of the Chat side. Gmail does not allow me to save the setting. Really a nuisance that takes up too much of screen space. Any idea, please share.
Hung PT
January 1, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Please Try Again.
1. First change your theme to Classic
2. Go go setting -> Chat -> Turn on.
3. Then go to Lab Search keyword below
“Right side chat” just a Lab which hidden in GG.
Then turn off
Gisel
August 1, 2016 at 7:09 am
THANKS!!!!! I’ve been trying everything! Thanks a lot!! I hated that window.
Joseph dipi
October 18, 2016 at 4:31 am
Thanks…………………
Mike
May 7, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Thanks!
I just found this explanation while looking for another one. Couldn’t figure out the right question to search for getting rid of that beast.
Carol Farr
September 22, 2017 at 10:32 am
Thanks very much for putting that up. It worked.
The chat box was not only annoying, but blocked access to all my folders and i couldn’t see how to get rid of it.
I appreciate your time to post this.
Carol Farr
Patti J
March 30, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Thank you!
Glenn
July 10, 2018 at 6:31 am
Thank you! This works.
carl
May 12, 2020 at 9:39 am
Got rid of it yesterday, but today it is back. And Chat is off. What now. Can’t seem to get rid of it.
K
May 15, 2020 at 6:29 am
I got rid of Chat — now there’s an intrusion for Meetings with no obvious way to get rid of it. How do you get rid of Meetings? Turning off Chat doesn’t do it.
closeupman
October 16, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Should be same location K, but says hide meet