This is the best guide to learn how to make use of Google Meet to have meetings on your desktop.
Google Meet is undoubtedly one of the most user-friendly video conferencing applications to use. It’s not just that you don’t require an application to run it on your desktop or laptop, it provides an intuitive user interface.
If you’re currently using Google Meet to attend meetings Here’s a brief guide to help you get comfortable using the web-based app on your computer.
Table of Contents
Using the Web App
Google Meet is available as an app for the web on your desktop. Start your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser and then go to meet.google.com.
You could also install Google Meet as a PWA (Progressive Web Application). A PWA installs the Google Meet website as an application on your desktop. It requires your browser in order to function however you don’t need to launch it in a separate window. The browser must install on the system. The PWA will be displayed within its own window to your computer. It is possible to download Google Meet PWA from either Chrome or Edge browsers.
On on the Google Meet homepage, go to the address bar, then click on the “Install Google Meet’ icon on the left side of the Bookmark icon.
A confirmation prompt will be displayed. Click Install for it to be installed as an PWA to your computer.
Google Meet will shift in an additional window. You can make desktop shortcuts, pin it on the taskbar, or in the menu called Start, and automatically start the app upon login, just as with any other desktop application.
Joining a Meeting on Google Meet
If you decide to decide to install Google Meet as a PWA and the other steps will remain the same . PWA installs the site as an application.
To join a meeting you have two optionsto join a meeting: you can utilize the entire link or the meeting’s code.
If you’ve got the link to the meeting Copy or paste the link in the Address Bar of your web browser, then hit Enter. Enter key.
After you have joined the meeting via the browser, click on the “Open link” icon to open the meeting in Google Meet PWA. Google Meet PWA.
You can also paste the link in the box on Google Meet homepage (in the browser or the PWA) where it states ‘Enter URL or code’.
To join using a meeting code, type the code into the textbox. The meeting code is the 10- letters at the bottom of the link to join.
https://meet.google.com/cpj-ogns-mcvThere is no need to type the hyphens when entering it manually. The code is not case-sensitive. Enter the key, or click the Join button in order to sign up for the conference.
The meeting will be displayed on the screen. Select the ‘Ask to join button, and the host of the meeting will receive an email letting them know that you’d like to attend the meeting. If they allow you to join you’ll be a member in the gathering.
Using Other Meeting Functionalities
Google Meet has a lot of features that make the meeting experience smooth. Learn how to utilize these features on your desktop of Google Meet.
Camera and Microphone Controls
You can turn off or mute your microphone and switch off or on the video any point prior to or during the meeting.
To turn off or mute your microphone, simply click the icon ‘Microphone’ from the toolbar for meetings. Others present in the meeting may muffle your microphone, however only you are able to unmute it to protect your privacy. You can also utilize keys Ctrl + D to turn the microphone to on or off.
To turn on or off your cameraor off, simply select the camera icon in the toolbar for meetings. Only you are able to switch your camera on or off during a meeting. You can also make use of the Ctrl + key shortcut on your keyboard to turn your camera’s off and on.
Google Meet has also added an automatic adjustment of light levels for videos on its desktop (web) application. Prior to this, the option was available only in the mobile version of the app. It is possible to enable this feature to brighten your video in low-light conditions.
Select the ‘More options’ symbol (three-dot menu) from the toolbar for meetings.
After that, select “Settings” from the menu that pops up.
Click on ‘Video’ in the navigation bar to the left.
If you’re accessing the settings via your preview window, navigate to the tab ‘Video’ on the left.
Turn on the toggle to adjust the video’s lighting’.
NOTE: Using light adjustment during the meeting may cause a slight slowdown to your computer.
You can also turn on the adjustment of light from the menu of visual effects while in your preview display. Select the ‘Audio and Video tab at the top.
After that, turn on the switch for ‘Adjust lighting of video’.
Using Background Effects
You can also alter the background of Google Meet meetings. Click the ‘More Options icon in the toolbar for meetings. After that, select “Apply visual effects” from the menu.
Its Effects panel will be open to the right.
You can choose to use two blur effects, either one of the background videos or images Google Meet offers, or create a custom background. The Google Meet web application for desktop is not equipped with filters or AR styles like are available in the Google Meet mobile app offers. Click on an action to make it apply.
To upload a customized background, select the ‘Upload an image for background’ option. Then upload a picture on your personal computer.
You’ll be able view the background image in the self-view window of the effects panel itself. The effect will be applied and is visible when you select it for everyone who is in the room and vice versa.
If you leave a meeting with the visual effect in place, the effect will apply when you rejoin in the following meeting.
It is also possible to apply effects for your background prior to attending an event. When you are on the screen of preview you can click the “Apply visual effects” button () located in the lower-right corner of your self-view window. After that, select an effect and apply it.
Changing the Meeting Layouts
Google Meet offers a few different layout options for your desktop. You can select among these ways to arrange your video tile in the way that is most suitable for you.
- Automatic: Google Meet will select the layout automatically according to what it believes is appropriate for the particular situation. It displays 9 participants in a grid of 3×3, however you can alter how many tiles by using the slider on the bottom. It’s the default option for meetings, unless you alter it.
- tiled Tiled View displays all video feeds in a grid with equal size. If there’s a presentation, the presentation tile will be displayed in a bigger format, with speakers positioned alongside smaller tiles. It shows 16 tiles on the format of a 4×4 grid however, you can alter the amount of tiles shown by using the slider.
- Spotlight: The layout displays the audio of the present speaker, or the person you pin, or the presentation (the option you make) in a full-screen layout. Video of the person you pin will always be visible.
- Sidebar: A single image either of the participant or the presenter, appears in the center, and the other participants are displayed on the sides.
To alter the layout, simply click the icon ‘More Options’ (three-dot menu) on the toolbar for meetings. After that, choose “Change layout” in the drop-down menu.
Layout menus will be displayed. Choose the layout you wish to select. The layout you select will be saved for future meetings , too.
Whatever layout you select the default layout for your video will not be component of it. Instead, it appears in a self-viewing window that is movable that you can reduce. To add the video in a tile visit the self-view window and click the ‘Show as tiles’ button. The video will be displayed as a tile in the auto or tiled view.
Meeting Chat in Google Meet
To talk to others in the meeting, click the lower right-hand edge of your screen. Click the Chat’ icon.
It will open the Chat panel will appear to the right. Enter the message, then hit “Send”. The messages you transmit will be seen by everyone present in the meeting.
Any messages that others send during the meeting will appear to the attendees, however, any messages that were sent prior to the time you attended the meeting won’t be available to you. The chat room is only accessible during the meeting, and all messages are deleted after the meeting is over regardless of recurring or scheduled meetings.
It is not possible to post messages within the chat room when the host of the meeting blocks participants from making messages. However, you will be able to see the messages that others (host as well as co-hosts) post in chat, however.
Google Meet is undoubtedly one of the top video conferencing applications available. However, when you’re first starting on something new, the process may seem difficult to navigate the. This guide should guide you through all the features easily to manage meetings and calls with ease.