A Complete Guide on Installing and Managing Slack Applications

While I believe Slack provides a robust set of communication features, I’ve also integrated numerous apps to streamline task creation, document sharing, meeting tracking, and more. Understanding how to install Slack apps can greatly enhance your user experience, and I’m here to guide you through the necessary steps.

Did you know: Are you curious if Slack Premium is a worthy investment? We evaluated both the free and paid versions of Slack, and here’s our conclusion.

Installing Slack Apps

To begin, navigate to the Slack Apps page. Ensure you are logged into the workspace in which you want to install the app, as each app can only be installed once per workspace.

Additionally, some apps may require you to have admin access for that particular Slack channel. If you lack these permissions, consider requesting an administrator to provide them.

There are two methods to install Slack apps. The first applies only to certain apps. For example, if you share a Google Drive link in Slack, the chat application will automatically recognize the file type and prompt you to install the app. Simply click Yes, install when the automated response appears.

The second and more common method of installing Slack apps involves visiting the Slack Marketplace. Start by searching for the app you wish to integrate or finding it within the menu tabs.

Once you locate the desired app, click the green Add to Slack button. For instance, as I use Google Calendar to organize my daily schedule, I will integrate that app.

After initiating the installation, the app will request permission to access Slack. Click Allow to confirm.

Upon installing Google Calendar, Slack redirected me to its app. You’ll now see a new conversation, and the tool will be listed under Apps.

Some apps may require you to sign in first; previously, I had to restart the installation. However, I faced no issues the second time around.

Removing Slack Apps

Managing your Slack workspace includes the importance of removing Slack apps you no longer need. If you are on a free plan, you might need to make space for new ones, as you can only utilize up to 10 concurrently.

Having found the process of deleting Slack apps a bit confusing at first, I aim to save you from the same confusion by providing the steps here. Begin by opening Slack and navigating to Apps -> Manage -> Browse apps.

Here, you will see a complete list of all installed apps in that workspace. To uninstall a specific app, simply click on it in the list.

A new page will appear; when it does, select Configuration.

Scroll down to the bottom of the feature list and click Remove App.

After selecting to delete my Slack app, a pop-up window appeared. I then tapped Remove App once more to confirm my decision.

Managing Installed Slack Apps (and Their Importance)

Whether integrating apps for productivity gains or enhanced video communication, managing the various application settings might be necessary. For instance, you can decide which channels a bot is active in.

The settings differ from app to app, but locating them follows a similar process. For example, I sought to restrict access to my Notion integration and navigated to Apps -> Manage -> Browse apps. After locating Notion and choosing Configuration, I adjusted this specific setting. Everything you need can be found on this page; for further modifications, visit the app’s homepage directly.

Understanding how to utilize Slack apps will greatly enhance your experience with the platform. With thousands available, the processes of adding and removing them are exceptionally user-friendly. You may also want to explore all the top Slack apps before proceeding with integration.

Image credit: Danny Maiorca. All screenshots by Danny Maiorca.

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