The fastest way to join is through a link your host sends you
When someone invites you to a Google Meet, they usually send you a link in an email, text message, or chat. Click that link directly — it takes you straight into the meeting without any setup. You do not need a Google account to join this way, though the host may ask you to enter your name before you enter the call.
If you receive a meeting code instead of a link (a short string of letters and numbers like "abc-defg-hij"), go to meet.google.com, click "Join or start a meeting," paste the code into the box, and click "Join." Your browser will ask permission to use your camera and microphone — allow both if you want to be seen and heard.
On a phone or tablet, you can use the Google Meet app instead of a browser. Search for "Google Meet" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, install it, and then click the meeting link from your email or text. The app will open automatically and take you into the call.
Key Takeaways
- Clicking a meeting link sent by the host is the simplest way to join — no account or code entry needed.
- If you have a meeting code instead, visit meet.google.com and paste it into the "Join or start a meeting" box.
- Your browser or phone will ask permission to use your camera and microphone before you enter — you must allow these to participate.
- You can join from a web browser on any computer or from the Google Meet app on a phone or tablet.
- If the host has not started the meeting yet, you will see a waiting screen; the call begins once they join.
Joining from a computer using a browser
Open any web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work. Paste the meeting link into the address bar and press Enter, or go to meet.google.com and enter the meeting code. A page will load showing your camera preview and a box for your name.
Type your name (the host will see this when you join) and click "Ask to join" or "Join now," depending on whether the host has locked the meeting. If it is locked, the host must admit you; if it is open, you enter when ready. Your browser will then ask "Do you want to allow Google Meet to use your camera and microphone?" — click "Allow" for both.
If you see a black screen or no camera preview, your browser may not have permission yet. Look for a camera icon in your browser's address bar, click it, and change the setting from "Block" to "Allow." Then refresh the page and try again.
Joining from a phone or tablet
read the Google Meet app from the App Store (iPhone or iPad) or Google Play Store (Android phone or tablet). Open the app and tap the link from your email or text message — it will open Google Meet automatically.
If you have a meeting code, open the Google Meet app, tap the "+" button or "New meeting," then tap "Join a meeting." Paste or type the code and tap "Join." The app will ask for permission to use your camera and microphone — tap "Allow" for both.
On some phones, you may see a screen asking whether to join with video on or off. If your camera or microphone is not working, go back to your phone's Settings, find "Google Meet," and make sure camera and microphone permissions are turned on.
What happens when you join before the host arrives
If you click the link or enter the code before the host has started the meeting, you will see a waiting screen with your name and camera preview. This is normal — you are in the meeting space, but the call has not begun yet. You can see and hear nothing until the host joins and starts the meeting.
Some hosts set a waiting room, which means you will see "Asking to join" instead of entering directly. The host will see your name and must click "Admit" to let you in. This usually happens within a minute or two, but if the host is running late, you may wait longer.
Troubleshooting camera and microphone problems
If you cannot see your camera preview or hear anything, the most common cause is that your browser or app does not have permission. On a computer, look for a camera icon in your browser's address bar next to the web address. Click it and change any "Block" settings to "Allow." On a phone, go to Settings, search for "Google Meet," and turn on camera and microphone permissions.
If you allowed permission but still see no camera, your device may have another app using the camera. Close other video apps (like Zoom or FaceTime) and try Google Meet again. If your microphone is not working, make sure nothing is muted — check for a mute button on your keyboard or in the Google Meet controls (usually a microphone icon at the bottom of the screen).
If the meeting link does not work or shows an error, ask the host to send you the link again. Links can expire if the meeting has ended, or they may be typed incorrectly. Copy and paste the link rather than typing it by hand.
Joining a meeting you were not invited to
If someone gives you a meeting code or link but you were not formally invited, you can still join the same way — click the link or enter the code at meet.google.com. The host may have shared the meeting publicly or with a group. However, if the host has locked the meeting or set a waiting room, they will see your name and must admit you.
Some meetings require a password in addition to the code or link. If you see a password prompt, ask the person who sent you the code for the password. Without it, you cannot enter the meeting.
Leaving a meeting
To leave a Google Meet, look for the red phone icon or "Leave call" button at the bottom of your screen (on a computer) or in the controls (on a phone). Click or tap it. You will exit the meeting when ready and return to your browser or home screen.
If you close the browser tab or app without clicking the leave button, you will still be in the meeting until the host ends it or you are automatically removed after a period of inactivity. It is better to click the leave button so the host knows you have gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to join a Google Meet?
No. You can join through a link or meeting code without signing into any account. The host may ask you to enter your name before you join, but that is all that is required. If you have a Google account and are signed in, Google Meet will use your account name instead of asking you to type one.
What if the meeting link says "This meeting does not exist"?
The meeting code or link may be wrong, expired, or the host may have ended the meeting. Ask the person who sent it to resend the link or code. If they resend it and you still see the error, the meeting may have already finished.
Can I join a Google Meet on my phone without downloading the app?
Yes. Open the meeting link in your phone's web browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android) instead of the app. The browser version works the same way, though the app is usually faster and easier to use.
Why does my camera show upside down or sideways?
This usually happens on phones when you rotate your device. Google Meet should automatically rotate your camera view to match. If it does not, try rotating your phone back to portrait (vertical) position, or check your phone's rotation lock setting and make sure it is off.
What if I join but no one else is in the meeting?
The host may not have started the meeting yet, or they may be running late. Wait a few minutes — the meeting will begin when the host joins. If you have been waiting more than 15 minutes and no one has arrived, contact the person who invited you to confirm the meeting time.