In order to disable Google Hangouts on Gmail, you need two things:

  1. Sign out from Google Hangouts on Gmail
  2. Turn off Google Hangouts Chat on Gmail

Let’s do both:

1) Sign out from Google Hangouts

  • Under Gmail Inboxes, click on your Profile Picture
  • Scroll down, and click on “Sign out of Hangouts”

Sign out from Google Hangouts on Gmail

  • We’re done. Instead of looking at your Google Hangouts Chat, you will see “Sign In” option!

Sign out from Google Hangouts - Disabled

2) Turn off Google Hangouts Chat on Gmail

Now, we need to hide the Google Hangouts Chat area from our Gmail:

  • Click on the Settings Gear on the right side corner, and click on “Settings” from the menu

Turn off Google Hangouts Chat on Gmail - Settings

  • Go to “Chat”, and select the “Chat off” option, and hit “Save Changes”

Turn off Google Hangouts Chat on Gmail - Chat Off

The browser will reload, and you won’t see “Google Hangouts” anymore on your Gmail, Hooray! 🎉🥂

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Did Google Hangouts Chat distracts you when checking your Gmail? Maybe you don’t like others to see you “Active Now”? Let me know your thoughts!