We are introducing full support for Google Chat archiving while formally retiring legacy Google Hangouts support. Existing Hangouts data remains safe and restorable.
What is Changing?
Due to Google's migration from the legacy Hangouts technology to the modern Google Chat platform, CloudM Archive is updating its instant messaging capabilities effective December 2025 (Release 2.7).
1. New: Google Chat Support
We have introduced a new implementation that allows CloudM Archive to successfully archive messages from the modern Google Chat platform (Direct Messages). This resolves previous API limitations imposed by Google.
2. Removed: Google Hangouts Support
We are removing the capability to archive data from the legacy Google Hangouts platform.
- Reason for Change: Google officially deprecated Hangouts in November 2022. As the technology is no longer active, the ability to archive historical Hangouts data is no longer required or technically supported.
Impact on Existing Data
Will this affect previously archived conversations?
No. Any Google Chat or Hangouts data that has already been archived will remain securely stored in your configured cloud storage.
- Your data will continue to be governed by your defined retention policy.
- Data will only be purged when it meets the criteria set in that policy.
Can I still restore legacy Hangouts?
Yes. While you can no longer archive new Hangouts data, you can still restore previously archived Hangouts conversations.
- Restoration Format: Legacy Hangouts conversations will be restored as Mail items (HTML format), maintaining the existing functionality users are accustomed to.
Note: This change does not affect the archiving of other user data types, such as standard Emails and Google Drive files.