Google Chat Finally Adds Message Scheduling and Secures a Dedicated Web Home

Google is officially rolling out a highly requested feature for Google Chat users: the ability to schedule messages up to 120 days in advance. Alongside this functionality update, the service is establishing a more distinct identity with a new, dedicated web address at chat.google.com.

Message Scheduling Arrives for the Long Term

For years, Gmail users have relied on the ability to schedule emails to manage workflows across time zones or plan ahead. Now, Google Chat is closing that feature gap. According to Google, users can now draft a message and schedule it for delivery at a later date and time.

This isn't just a short-term delay feature for avoiding late-night pings. The new functionality allows scheduling as far as 120 days out—a four-month window that significantly expands how the platform can be used for long-term project management or reminders.

• Drafts are stored within the Chat interface.

• A new shortcut appears on the left menu bar when you have scheduled messages pending.

• Users can manage, edit, or delete these messages directly from the "Drafts" section before they go live.

While Gmail has offered scheduling since 2019, Chat users have had to wait. Evidence of this feature was spotted in development earlier this spring, but the official "go" signal has only just been pressed. Access began rolling out on December 11, with most users expected to see the feature by the end of the month.

A Faster, Dedicated Home on the Web

Google states that this new standalone URL loads faster than previous methods while maintaining the exact same user interface users are accustomed to.

• Old links still work: Existing bookmarks and the old mail.google.com URLs remain functional.
• Extension compatibility: Users relying on Chrome extensions built specifically for Chat may need to update them to ensure full compatibility with the new domain.

This move simplifies the URL structure, making it feel less like a Gmail add-on and more like a standalone product, a shift that feels overdue for a service competing in a crowded enterprise messaging market.

Why This Matters

Despite Google Chat's struggle to win over casual users outside of workplace mandates, Google continues to aggressively build out its feature set. By adding robust scheduling tools that rival email functionality, Google is positioning Chat as a more serious productivity tool rather than just an instant messenger.

The addition of a 120-day scheduling window is particularly notable. It suggests Google envisions Chat not just for real-time conversation, but for asynchronous work where planning communications months in advance is a viable use case.