After April 25, apps in Hangouts will stop working

Jan 7, 2017 11:45 GMT  ·  By

Google has just announced that it decided to shut down Hangouts API starting April 25, 2017. This means that all applications using the Hangouts API will no longer work after the date.

In a post on the Hangouts API platform, Google announced that it would retire the Google+ Hangouts API, which allows developers to create apps for the older version of Hangouts video calls. The API was initially developed to support social experiences for end-users, as part of Google+. However, Hangouts is now changing and Google wants the app to focus on enterprise consumption more.

“We understand this will impact developers who have invested in our platform. We have carefully considered this change and believe that the latest updates allow us to give our users a more targeted Hangouts desktop video experience going forward,” Google said in a post.

A small number of apps will continue to function

The report also mentions that a few apps will continue to function past April 25, including DialPad and RingCentral apps for dialing into a call or integration with Slack, another enterprise communications tool. In addition, Hangouts on Air broadcasting tools, like Toolbox, Control Room and Cameraman will continue to run.

Users of apps containing the Hangouts API will receive a notice informing them that the app will no longer work after April 25.

Back in September 2016, Google did showcase new features for Hangouts, aimed mainly at meetings and conference calls. Google has already started to replace Hangouts with Allo in the package of pre-installed apps on Android phones.

Allo offers both video and messaging tools, and it comes with integrated Google Assistant. Just yesterday, we reported that Google acquired Limes Audio to improve the quality of video conference calls in Hangouts, another proof that the company’s Hangouts app is heading in the direction of enterprise users.