Google has taken great steps to make Google Meet a more versatile and accessible application. Beyond meeting customizations, Google Meet is now also free to use for everyone. That said, you need to do a couple of things before you can create or join a meeting. Here’s what you need to know.
Creating an account
Creating an account and getting started with Google Meet is a walk in the park. This app is a component of G-Suite, but it’s also free for anyone.
First you will have to go to Meet.google.com. To use the app, you need a Google account. Click on the free registration link and you will be redirected to the registration page.
- Enter your name.
- Enter your current email address.
- Alternatively, create a Gmail address if you don’t have one.
- Enter a password.
- Retype the password to confirm.
- Click Next.
- Sign in to your email account and look for the verification code.
- Enter the 6-digit number on the account creation page.
- Click the Verify button.
- For security, Google will ask you to verify your phone number. Enter your number and wait for the verification code.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code and then click Verify.
- Enter your personal information: date of birth and gender.
- Click Next.
- Accept the terms of service by clicking the I Accept button.
Once you do this, you can immediately start a meeting or enter an existing meeting code to join a conference call.
Sign in with an existing Gmail account
If you already have one or more Gmail email addresses, you can go to Meet.google.com and log in. You can then join or start a meeting.
Alternatively, you can click a dotted square icon in your browser, if you’re already signed in, and then click the Meet icon to sign in to Google Meet.
Another way to start a meeting is to start it from your email account. You’ll notice that in the left panel, under the email folders, you have a small tab for Google Meet. There are two options there:
- New meeting.
- Join a meeting.
It’s easier to get things done from here and it’s nice that your Gmail account can serve as a sort of home base. You can also initialize Google Hangouts from here, send and schedule emails, start a meeting, etc.
Please note that when you start a meeting, the meeting room will open in a new window. Also, don’t forget to click the Allow button when your browser asks to use your camera. And make sure your smartphone’s privacy and permissions settings aren’t blocking your camera.
How to schedule a meeting
One of the most interesting features of Google Meet is that you can schedule meetings. This allows you to notify all guests in advance and has a better chance of everyone being in the same place at the same time.
- Open your Google Calendar.
- Create an event.
- Click the Add Guests button and add your guests’ email addresses.
- Click the Save button.
- Press Send if you have added any guests.
Everyone will receive an invitation and meeting ID so they can join the meeting once it starts.
How to use Google Meet on your smartphone
While Gmail may be on most smartphones by default, the Google Meet app is not. So, you’ll need to get it from the Play Store or App Store, depending on your operating system.
Once you install the app, you can open it and tap the New Meeting button to create a new meeting. Alternatively, tap the Join with a code option if you want to join an existing one.
Of course, you can also skip installing the app and use the same scheduled meeting method. Go to your Gmail app, open the calendar, and create a meeting event from there.
Please note that G-Suite users can also use their G-Suite account to join meetings. And, when you use a G-Suite account to create a meeting, you can also give it a unique nickname. You can’t do that with a personal Google account.
Please note that if you have a G-Suite account and are a member of an organization, you may not be able to create a meeting. First, your organization’s administrator must enable the Meet feature.
Google Meet Compatibility
Google Meet is compatible with many popular browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. However, browsers like Internet Explorer or Opera have limited support for Meet and do not guarantee a perfect user experience.
How often do you use Google Meet? Have you had any major problems? Share your experience with the rest of the TJ community in the comments section below.
