- Join from a link (the usual way)
- Join from Google Calendar
- Join with a meeting code
- Join on your phone
- Use the preview screen
- Waiting to be let in
- Joining by phone
- Do you need a Google account?
- Little things that make a good impression
- Joining a meeting from another organisation
- Can't join?
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To join a Google Meet, click the meeting link in your invite or calendar event and select Join now. You can also go to meet.google.com, type the meeting code and click Join, or on a phone open the link or the Meet app. If you weren't on the original invite, you'll ask to join and someone in the meeting lets you in.
Someone has sent you a Google Meet link and you want to join without fuss, ideally looking and sounding right the moment you appear. Joining takes a click, but there are a few different routes, and a couple of things worth checking first. Here's every way to join, what the preview screen is for, and what to do if you're stuck waiting to be let in.
Join from a link (the usual way)
- Open the email or message with the meeting link.
- Click the link. Meet opens in your browser.
- Check your camera and microphone on the preview screen.
- Click Join now.
Join from Google Calendar
- Open Google Calendar and select the event.
- Click Join with Google Meet.
- Click Join now.
Join with a meeting code
- Go to meet.google.com.
- Type the meeting code into the box and click Join.
- Click Join now.
The code is the string of letters at the end of the meeting link. Google also mentions meeting nicknames, but those only work between people in the same Google Workspace organisation.
Join on your phone
Tap the meeting link and it opens in the Google Meet app if you have it, or install the Meet app and enter the code. You can also join from the Gmail app or the Google Calendar app by opening the event and tapping the Meet option. Phone joins are a great backup if your laptop misbehaves.
Use the preview screen
Before you click Join now, Meet shows a preview of your camera. Use it. Check your lighting, what's behind you, that your microphone is picking you up and that you're signed in with the right account. You can switch your camera or microphone off before joining if you'd rather start that way.
Waiting to be let in
Here's the bit that worries people. Google says that if you're not on the calendar invite, you need to request to join, and the organiser or a participant must let you in. So if you see an Ask to join message and a wait, you haven't done anything wrong. The host simply needs to admit you. If you're early, they might not be in the meeting yet.
Joining by phone
For audio only, some meetings include a dial-in number and PIN. Google says dial-in only works when the meeting is organised by a Google Workspace user and their admin has turned it on. You can call in from 15 minutes before the meeting starts. Dial the number, enter the PIN followed by the hash key, and press star then six to mute or unmute.
| Way to join | Best for |
|---|---|
| Meeting link | Most invitations |
| Google Calendar | Meetings already in your calendar |
| Meeting code | When someone reads out or types the code |
| Phone app | On the move or as a laptop backup |
| Dial-in | Audio only, where the organiser provides a number |
Do you need a Google account?
To join, often not. Google's help includes joining without a Google account, though the host may need to let you in. You'll still need a supported browser or the Meet app, and Google says you need to allow access to your camera and microphone before you start. To create your own meetings, you'll need a Google account.
Little things that make a good impression
- Join a minute or two early, especially for client calls.
- Mute yourself when you're not speaking in a group.
- Close noisy apps and notifications before you join.
- Use headphones to avoid echo.
If the meeting has lots of people, don't be surprised by a chime when people join. Google notes you hear a chime when the first five participants join, then silent notifications after that.
Joining a meeting from another organisation
If a client or supplier uses Google Workspace, their settings decide who can join their meetings. Google explains that Workspace admins control which meetings their users can join and who can join meetings they organise. So if you can't get into a client's meeting, it may be their settings rather than yours. Ask them to add you to the invite, which usually solves it straight away.
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Can't join?
- Check the link or code is complete and correct.
- Try a different browser, or the Meet app on your phone.
- Allow camera and microphone access when your browser asks.
- If you're on a work account, your organisation may limit which meetings you can join.
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My verdict
Click the link and Join now, or go to meet.google.com and enter the code. Use the preview screen to check how you look and sound, and don't panic if you're asked to wait; it just means the host needs to let you in. Keep the Meet app on your phone as a backup way in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a Google Meet with a link?
Click the link, check your camera and microphone on the preview screen and click Join now.
How do I join a Google Meet with a code?
Go to meet.google.com, type the code and click Join, then Join now.
Why does Google Meet make me ask to join?
If you're not on the calendar invite, Google says you request to join and someone in the meeting lets you in.
Can I join Google Meet without a Google account?
Often yes, though the host may need to admit you. You need a supported browser or the Meet app.
Can I join a Google Meet by phone?
If the organiser is on Google Workspace and dial-in is turned on, you can call the number and enter the PIN.
