Mark a Message as Unread in Google Chat

Marking a message as unread in Google Chat lets you flag a conversation so you remember to come back to it later. This is useful when you read a message but can’t respond right away, or when you want to keep a reminder at the top of your chat list. You can do it on both the web app and the mobile app, and it takes only a few seconds.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account with access to Google Chat (works with personal and Workspace accounts).
• The Google Chat app installed on your phone (for mobile steps) or a web browser (for desktop steps).
• The message you want to mark as unread must be in a direct message (1:1) or a group conversation you’re part of.

Step-by-Step

On the Web (desktop browser)

1. Open chat.google.com in your browser and sign in if needed.
2. Find the conversation that contains the message you want to mark as unread. It can be in your direct message list or in a space (group chat).
3. Hover your mouse over the conversation name in the left sidebar. A small downward-pointing arrow (chevron) appears on the right side of the row.
4. Click that arrow to open a dropdown menu.
5. Select “Mark as unread” from the menu. The conversation will immediately show a bold dot and a highlighted background, indicating it’s unread.

Alternative on web: Open the conversation, then click the conversation name at the top of the chat pane. In the pop-up window that appears, click “Mark as unread”.

On Mobile (Android or iOS)

1. Open the Google Chat app on your phone.
2. Go to the chat list (the main screen showing all conversations).
3. Find the conversation you want to mark as unread. Do not tap it to open it—instead, press and hold on the conversation row.
4. A context menu will appear. Tap “Mark as unread” (on some devices you may need to tap the three-dot menu first).
5. The conversation will now show a blue dot next to it, and it will be moved to the top of your list (if you have unread sorting enabled).

Note: On iOS, you can also swipe right on the conversation to reveal the “Mark as unread” action directly.

Common Mistakes

• Opening the conversation first: If you open the chat and then try to mark it as unread, the option may be hidden. You can still do it via the conversation name at the top, but many users miss that. The easiest way is to use the sidebar or the long-press method without opening the chat.
• Using the wrong menu: On the web, the chevron arrow appears only when you hover over the conversation. If you don’t see it, move your mouse directly over the row and wait a second.
• Expecting it to mark only one message: Marking a conversation as unread marks the entire conversation as unread, not just a single message. There’s no way to mark only one specific message within a chat as unread.
• Confusing “Mark as unread” with “Mute”: Muting stops notifications but doesn’t change the read status. Make sure you choose “Mark as unread,” not “Mute” or “Turn off notifications.”

Tips

• After marking a conversation as unread, it will appear at the top of your chat list (if you have “Unread first” sorting enabled). You can enable this in Settings → Chats → “Show unread first.”
• Use this feature as a to-do list: mark a chat unread when you need to reply later, and clear it once you’ve responded.
• On the web, you can also use the keyboard shortcut: hover over the conversation and press the letter U on your keyboard to mark it as unread. This works in the main chat list.
• If you accidentally mark a conversation as unread, just click on it (or tap it) to read it again—it will automatically become read.

Troubleshooting

• “Mark as unread” option is grayed out or missing: This can happen if the conversation is already unread (you haven’t read it yet). Read the conversation first, then try again. Also, make sure you’re using the latest version of the app or a supported browser.
• The option doesn’t appear on mobile: Try updating the Google Chat app from the App Store or Play Store. If it still doesn’t show, restart the app or your phone.
• The conversation doesn’t stay unread after you close the app: This is rare, but if it happens, it may be a sync issue. Check your internet connection, then force-close the app and reopen it. The unread status should persist.
• You marked it unread but it doesn’t show a dot: The unread indicator may be subtle. Look for a bold conversation name and a small blue or gray dot. If you don’t see it, try refreshing the page (web) or pulling down to refresh the chat list (mobile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mark a message as unread in a group chat (space)?

Yes. The same steps work for group conversations and spaces. On the web, hover over the space name and click the arrow; on mobile, press and hold the space row.

Does marking a message as unread notify the other person?

No. The other participants won’t see any indication that you marked the conversation as unread. It’s a private action on your side.

Can I mark a message as unread from the notification bar?

No. You must open the Google Chat app or web version to use the “Mark as unread” feature. Notification actions only allow reply or open.

Will marking as unread affect the other person’s read receipts?

No. Read receipts (if enabled) are based on whether you actually opened the conversation. Marking as unread after reading doesn’t change what the other person sees.

Can I mark multiple conversations as unread at once?

No, you have to do them one by one. There’s no bulk action for this in Google Chat.

Does the unread status sync across devices?

Yes. If you mark a conversation as unread on your phone, it will appear as unread on your computer and other devices, as long as you’re signed in to the same Google account.

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