You can join a Google Meet call in three ways: with a meeting link, with a meeting code, or by being invited through Google Calendar
The fastest way is clicking a meeting link someone sends you — it opens Google Meet directly in your browser and you join in seconds. If you have a meeting code instead, you enter it into Google Meet's home page. If someone invited you through Google Calendar, the meeting appears on your calendar and you click it to join. You do not need a Google account to join most calls, though the person who started the meeting can require one.
Google Meet works in any web browser on a computer or phone. You can also use the Google Meet app on Android or iPhone if you prefer, but the browser version works just as well. Before you join, make sure your camera and microphone are working — Google Meet will ask permission to use them the first time you connect.
Key Takeaways
- Clicking a meeting link is the simplest way to join — it takes you straight into the call without extra steps.
- If you have a meeting code instead of a link, go to meet.google.com, click "Join a meeting", and type the code.
- Google Meet asks for your name before you enter the call, even if you do not have a Google account.
- You can join from any web browser on a computer, tablet, or phone without downloading anything.
- The meeting organizer can see when you join and can remove you from the call if needed.
Joining with a meeting link
When someone sends you a link that starts with meet.google.com, click it directly. Your browser opens Google Meet and takes you to the waiting room for that specific meeting. You will see a screen asking for your name — type your first and last name, or whatever name you want the other people in the call to see.
Before you click "Join now", check the icons in the bottom left corner. One looks like a camera and one looks like a microphone. If either shows a line through it, that device is turned off. Click the icon to turn it back on if you want people to see or hear you. Then click "Join now" and you enter the meeting.
If the meeting has not started yet, you will see a message saying the organizer has not joined. You can wait in the meeting, or close the browser tab and come back when the meeting is about to start. Either way, you are already in the call — the organizer will see your name in the participant list.
Joining with a meeting code
If someone gives you a code instead of a link — usually a string of letters and numbers like "abc-defg-hij" — go to meet.google.com in your web browser. Click the button that says "Join a meeting" (it is the second option after "Start a meeting").
Type or paste the meeting code into the box that appears. Google Meet will show you the name of the meeting and ask for your name. Enter the name you want to appear in the call, then click "Join". You will go through the same camera and microphone check as with a link, and then enter the meeting.
Meeting codes are useful when someone cannot easily send you a link — for example, if they are telling you the code over the phone or in a text message. The code works the same way as a link; it just requires one extra step to enter it manually.
Joining from Google Calendar
If someone invited you to a meeting through Google Calendar and you have a Google account, the meeting appears on your calendar on the scheduled date and time. Click the meeting name on your calendar, and a details panel opens on the right side of the screen. Look for a button that says "Join with Google Meet" and click it.
This method works the same way as clicking a link, but it is more convenient if you already use Google Calendar to track your schedule. The calendar invitation also reminds you before the meeting starts, so you do not have to remember the time.
If you do not have a Google account, the calendar invitation will still reach you by email, but it will include a meeting link instead. Click the link in the email to join the same way you would with any other link.
What to do if you cannot join
If you click a link or enter a code and see a message saying the meeting does not exist, the code or link may be wrong. Ask the person who invited you to send it again, or ask them to read the code aloud so you can type it carefully. Even one wrong letter will prevent you from joining.
If the link or code is correct but you see a message saying you do not have permission to join, the organizer has set the meeting to require a Google account. You will need to create a free Google account to join. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account", then use that account to join the meeting.
If your camera or microphone is not working, close the browser tab and check your device settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure Google Meet is allowed to use your camera. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. On a phone, go to Settings > Apps > Google Meet > Permissions. Then try joining again.
Joining on a phone or tablet
You can join a Google Meet call on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device using any web browser. Open the link or go to meet.google.com and enter the code the same way you would on a computer. The process is identical — you type your name, check your camera and microphone, and click "Join".
If you prefer, you can download the Google Meet app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and join through the app instead. The app works the same way as the browser version. Some people find the app easier to use on a phone because it takes up the full screen, but either method works.
On a phone, make sure you are in a quiet place and holding the device so the camera can see your face. If you are using a tablet, prop it up so it points at you. Before you join, check that your phone or tablet is connected to Wi-Fi or has a strong cellular signal, or the call may drop.
What happens after you join
Once you are in the meeting, you will see the other participants' video feeds on your screen. If you want to turn your camera or microphone off during the call, click the camera or microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. A line through the icon means that device is off and other people cannot see or hear you.
If you want to leave the call, click the red phone icon at the bottom right. This removes you from the meeting immediately. You can rejoin using the same link or code if the meeting is still happening, but you will have to enter your name again.
The organizer can see everyone in the meeting and can remove anyone they choose. If you are removed, you will see a message saying you have been removed from the call and you cannot rejoin unless the organizer invites you back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to join a Google Meet call?
No, most meetings do not require a Google account. You can join with just your name. However, the organizer can turn on a setting that requires everyone to have a Google account. If you see a message saying you need an account, you will need to create one at accounts.google.com to join that specific meeting.
What if the meeting link is not working?
First, check that you copied the link correctly and that it starts with meet.google.com. If the link is correct, the meeting may have ended or the organizer may have deleted it. Ask the person who sent you the link to send it again or to check that the meeting is still active.
Can I join a Google Meet call without a camera or microphone?
Yes. You can turn off your camera and microphone before you join, or turn them off after you join. Other people in the call will see your name but not your video, and they will not hear you unless you turn your microphone back on. You can still see and hear everyone else.
What if I join early and the organizer has not started the meeting yet?
You will see a message saying the organizer has not joined. You can wait in the meeting, or close the tab and come back later. Either way, the organizer will see your name in the participant list when they start the meeting. There is no penalty for joining early.
Can I join the same meeting from two devices at the same time?
Yes, you can join from your computer and your phone at the same time using the same link or code. However, this can be confusing because you will see yourself twice and hear an echo. Most people join from only one device at a time.