How to Use Google Meet for Free Video Calls

Google Meet is a free video calling service built into Gmail — you can start or join a call with anyone who has an email address.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Access Google Meet through Gmail or the website
2.Start a new video call
3.Join a meeting from a link someone sent you
4.Use the controls during the call

Access Google Meet through Gmail or the website

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The fastest way to access Google Meet is through Gmail. Open Gmail on your computer or phone. On the left side, you'll see a section called "Meet" with options to "Start a meeting" or "Join a meeting." You can also go directly to meet.google.com in any browser. On your phone, download the free "Google Meet" app from the App Store or Google Play.

Start a new video call

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Click or tap "New Meeting" or "Start a meeting." Google Meet will ask for permission to use your camera and microphone — click or tap "Allow." You'll see yourself on screen in a preview. Click "Start now" to open the meeting room. To invite someone, click "Add people" or "Copy joining info" to get a link you can send by text or email.

Quick Tip

Before clicking "Start now," you'll see a preview of how you look and sound. Use this to check your lighting and camera angle.

Join a meeting from a link someone sent you

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If someone sends you a Google Meet link (it looks like meet.google.com/abc-defg-hij), tap or click it. Google Meet will open in your browser or app. You may be placed in a "waiting room" if the organizer hasn't started the meeting yet. Click "Ask to join" and the organizer will admit you. Make sure to allow camera and microphone access when prompted.

Use the controls during the call

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During a Google Meet call, the controls are at the bottom center of the screen. The microphone icon mutes/unmutes you. The camera icon turns your video on or off. The three dots menu has more options including changing your background, turning on captions (which shows what people are saying in text), and recording the meeting. The red phone icon ends the call.

Quick Tip

Turn on "Captions" if you have trouble hearing — Google Meet shows a real-time text transcript of everything being said during the call. Find it under the three-dot menu → Turn on captions.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Use Google Meet for Free Video Calls

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Google Meet is a free video calling service from Google. It works in your web browser without any download, and it's built directly into Gmail. You can use it to video call family, attend virtual events, or join telehealth appointments — for free, with no time limits for calls of up to 60 minutes.

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