1:1 video calling now available on Google Meet mobile app

 

Gif Credit: Google Workspace Updates 

Google has added the ability for Meet mobile app users to make cloud-encrypted 1:1 video calls to other users in their organization.

Until now, Meet mobile app users were required to create a meeting link ahead of time, which could then be shared in a calendar invite, chat, or email. With the latest update, you can place a Meet call on your mobile app directly to a colleague, ringing their mobile device.

In addition, you will have access to the latest Google Meet features including in-meeting chat, virtual backgrounds and visual effects, live closed captions, and more depending on your Workspace edition.

For admins, this feature will be ON by default and can only be turned OFF by turning off Meet meetings and calls for your organization. You can also deploy the original Google Meet app from Google Play or the App Store to managed devices if you do not want users to have calling capabilities (both outbound and inbound calls).

Google said that it will introduce admin controls to restrict inbound calls next year.

For end users, Google Meet calls will not include legacy calling features previously found in Duo, including group calls, messages, moments, family mode and knock knock, but those continue to be available if you have not upgraded to the new Meet app and are using legacy calling.

The 1:1 video calling feature on the Google Meet mobile app is currently rolling out to iOS devices and may take up to 15 days to be fully visible. For Android users, the extended rollout will commence on November 14, 2023. The feature will be available to all Google Workspace customers.