Use Companion mode for hybrid learning & collaboration

Important: Some features, require specific Google Workspace editions. Learn more about Google Workspace editions.

You can use companion mode to join a Google Meet video meeting on a second screen. In Companion mode, your mic and video are turned off to avoid any audio feedback.

When there is a mix of participants who are remote or in meeting rooms (hybrid meetings), people in a meeting room don't have access to individually chat, upvote questions, or answer polls with meeting-room hardware or Nest Hub Max. Instead, you can use companion mode to improve participants collaboration.

  • In meeting rooms— Join meetings with audio and video on meeting-room hardware or Google Nest Hub Max to speak or listen to remote participants. To share your screen or use chat, polls, Q&A, and host controls, use Companion mode on your laptop. For improved use of features while in Companion mode, use Room check-in to have:
    • Your personal video tile visible to other conference rooms on the call.
    • Your name appear on the conference room tile.
    • Your personal video tile and room name appear when you raise your hand.
  • When you're remote—Join a meeting with audio and video as normal.

Connect with Companion mode & use Room check-in

Important: The Room check-in option only appears when a conference room is connected to your meeting.

When you join a Google Meet meeting in Companion mode, you can check in or connect to a conference room. When you check in, your name appears in the participant list and on the room tile.

  • Room check-in is connected to a companion session: If you exit companion mode, your connection is lost and you’re no longer checked in to your room.
  • To find Room check-in, a room device must be on the call: You can only check in to devices that are on the call. If you join a companion without a Google Meet hardware device in the meeting, you won’t be prompted to check in. If the Google Meet hardware device joins later, you’re prompted in Companion mode to check in.
  • Room check-in isn’t verified: It’s possible to check in to a room you’re not in. If someone abuses this on the call, to remove on-call participants from the meeting, click Remove from the callLearn how to remove people during a video meeting.
  • Names are sorted alphabetically on the room tile.

Companion Mode is available on multiple Android devices such as Tablets, Phones, Foldable devices, etc.

From the meeting invite, connect with Companion mode.

  1. Open the Meet app :
    • Tap a video meeting from your upcoming meetings.
    • To enter a meeting with a code or nickname, tap Join with code.
  2. Under your self view, tap Use Companion mode Re-enable devices.

After the meeting starts, check into your conference room in Companion mode:

  1. If there’s a room connected to the meeting, a pop-up confirms your room.
    • If there are multiple rooms connected to the meeting, you’ll receive a popup to choose your room.
  2. In the dialog box, tap Check-in or Choose your room. This will update your check-in status in the top right corner Check circle.
  3. Tap check-in Check circle in the top right corner to adjust your check-in experience.
    • Exit Companion mode and return to the meeting landing page.
      • Tap Leave and rejoin to use your audio.
    • Check into a different conference room.
      • Tap Check in to a different room.
    • Check out of your conference room.
      • Tap Check out of your room.

Tips:

  • To avoid missing chat messages, connect with Companion mode at the beginning of the meeting. Messages sent before you connect aren't included in your chat stream.
  • If you plan to use chat during the meeting, remind meeting-room participants to connect with Companion mode.

Learn more about Companion mode

Learn about device, participants & hosting

Learn about known issues

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