Google’s Hangouts Meet is used for conference meetings and as there will be many beginners using it more often during this time of social distancing, we provide some helpful tips and instructions.

It is a G Suite tool that allows members of a team to meet one another over video, text, and audio chats. If you are new to this tool, the following tips will be priceless for you.

We arranged them from the most basic steps to the more advanced ones.

1. To Get Started

Only a G Suite subscriber can create a Hangouts Meet session. Although, you can do this if you belong to an organization that subscribes. 

In case you want to join one, you will need a Meet URL. If this is sent to you, simply open your web browser and enter the URL into your address bar.

You can create a Meet session if you meet the above-mentioned requirements. Follow the steps below:

• Go to the Google Hangouts Meet landing page in your browser. (This requires you to sign in to your Google account)
• Next, tap on Join or start a meeting.
• Then, enter a nickname or leave the field empty.
• Click Continue.
• And tap on Join now.

Thus, you have successfully created a Meet and other people can join it even if they’re not part of a G Suite plan. If anyone joins your meet, you will get a pop-up notification about the person’s details.

2. To Invite People

You can tap the Copy joining info button that you find in the introductory popup window. This will save the copied details to your PC’s clipboard. You can opt to paste into an email or any other messaging system. 

Anyone who wants to join can just click the link to join the Meet. You can also simply copy the Meet’s URL from the address bar of your browser and paste it where you want.

Another way to add people is to do so directly as described in the steps below: 

• Tap the People button near the top-right corner of the screen.
• Next, click Add people.
• Then, type a name or email address depending on who you’re inviting.
• Lastly, Click Send invitation.

You can also see the full list of people within the Meet session by tapping on the People button.

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3. To configure your camera, speakers, and mic in Hangouts Meet

Since Meet recognizes most of the hardware that’s connected or built into your PC, most times, it will automatically use the default configuration. But sometimes, they may not function properly. If this is your case check the settings menu to change input and output.

• Tap on the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner, this is the Options button.
• Then, select Settings.
• Click the dropdown menu below each of the following:

       — Microphone to choose an audio input.

       — Speakers to choose an audio output.

       — Video tab.

       — Camera to choose a recording device.

You can as well change the send and receive a resolution from this menu. This helps if you’re on limited data or have a slow connection.

4. To share your screen in Hangouts Meet

Sometimes, during a meeting, you want to share an important page on your PC with the rest of the team. You can actually allow everyone in the Meet to see what you’re seeing.

• Tap on Present now.
• Next, tap Your entire screen or A window depending on what you want people to see.
• Also, if you are sharing multiple screens, you can tap on a window or a screen.
• Tap on Share.
• To end the sharing session, click on Stop presenting.

5. To send a text message in Hangouts Meet

You may want to send a message but you don’t want to disrupt ongoing audio or video conversation. This tip is also important if you don’t have a microphone set up yet. 

Thus, to send a text message that anyone within the Meet can see, do the following.

• Tap the Text button in the top-right corner (it resembles a dialogue bubble).
• Next, type your message and click Enter on your keyboard.

Any message that people within the Meet session sends will be collected in the side panel that opens.

These tips will help you set up your Google Hangouts Meet sessions.

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