Google Hangouts Group Video Calls on iPhone and iPad

You can use a group video call to see and talk with several people at once from an iPhone or iPad. Google Hangouts has been replaced by Google Meet for personal video calls, so use the Meet app for a new call; if you are following an old Hangouts invitation, its link may take you to Meet.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad with a working internet connection. Wi-Fi is usually more reliable for video; cellular data may be used if Wi-Fi is unavailable.
• The Google Meet app, installed from the App Store, and a Google Account if you plan to start a call or create a meeting link.
• Permission for Meet to use the camera and microphone. You can grant these when prompted or later in the device’s Settings.
• The email addresses or Google accounts of the people you want to invite, or a way to share a meeting link with them.

Step-by-Step

1. Install or update Google Meet. Open the App Store, search for Google Meet, and install it or tap Update if it is already installed. Open the app and sign in to the Google Account you want to use. App labels can vary slightly as Google updates Meet.
2. Allow camera and microphone access. When iOS or iPadOS asks, tap Allow for camera and microphone access. If you denied access earlier, open the device’s Settings, find Meet in the app list, and turn on Camera and Microphone. Without microphone permission, others cannot hear you; without camera permission, they cannot see you.
3. Start a meeting. In Meet, tap New or New meeting. Choose the option to create a meeting link or start an instant meeting, depending on the options shown. The app creates a link that people can use to join. If you want to meet later, use the scheduling option if it is available to you, or create a link and send it ahead of time.
4. Check your preview before joining. Look at the camera preview and confirm that the intended camera is on. Tap the microphone or camera controls to mute yourself or turn video off if needed. If you are in a noisy place, start muted and unmute when you are ready to speak.
5. Join the meeting. Tap the control to start or join the meeting. If you created an instant meeting, you may enter it directly. Otherwise, the app may show a waiting screen or ask you to confirm before entering.
6. Invite the group. In the meeting, open the meeting information or participant controls and copy the meeting link. Share it in a message, email, or another suitable app. You can also use the invite option to select people or enter their email addresses if that option appears. Tell invitees to open the link on their iPhone, iPad, or another supported device and follow the on-screen join prompts.
7. Admit people if prompted. Depending on the meeting settings and each person’s account, a guest may need to ask to join. Watch for a join request and tap the option to admit the person only if you recognize them and expect them. If someone cannot get in, confirm they are using the right link and account, then resend the current meeting link.
8. Manage the call. Use the on-screen controls to mute or unmute, turn the camera on or off, switch cameras if the control is available, and view participants. On an iPad, controls may be arranged differently or appear after you tap the screen. To leave, tap the hang-up button; this ends your participation, not necessarily the call for everyone else.

If someone sent you an old Hangouts link, tap it and follow the prompt to open or install Meet. Hangouts is no longer the app for starting new personal group video calls. If the old link does not work, ask the organizer to create a fresh Meet link and send it to the group.

Common Mistakes

• Looking for a Hangouts video-call button. The consumer Hangouts service was replaced by Google Chat and Meet. Use Meet for a personal group video call rather than trying to create one in an outdated Hangouts app.
• Sharing the wrong information. Send the meeting link, not just a meeting title or a screenshot. Check that the copied link is complete and open it yourself if you are unsure it is the correct one.
• Forgetting permissions. A black preview or silent microphone often means Meet lacks access in Settings, or the camera or microphone is being used by another app.
• Assuming every link admits anyone automatically. Some attendees may need approval, and access can depend on meeting settings and the account they use. Keep an eye on join requests.
• Leaving the microphone open in a noisy room. Background noise can make the whole conversation harder to follow. Mute when you are not speaking and unmute to talk.

Tips

• Test the link, camera, and microphone shortly before the call, especially if you have not used Meet on that device before.
• Use headphones if you hear an echo. If you use the iPad or iPhone speaker, lower the volume or move the device away from the microphone.
• Place the device on a stable surface and keep the camera at about eye level. This makes it easier to talk without holding the device throughout the meeting.
• Ask participants to join with a recognizable name and to mute when not speaking. For a larger group, agree on a simple way to take turns.
• Use Wi-Fi where possible and close other apps that are using the camera or consuming a lot of bandwidth. Video quality can change with network conditions.
• For a planned call, send the link and start time in advance, and include a note that participants may need to install Meet and sign in or request access.

Troubleshooting

• Meet cannot find your camera or microphone: Open Settings on the iPhone or iPad, locate Meet, and enable Camera and Microphone. Close and reopen Meet. Also check that another app is not actively using the camera.
• No one can hear you: Check that the microphone icon is not muted, verify Meet has microphone permission, and make sure the audio is not routed to an unintended Bluetooth headset. Disconnect and reconnect the headset or choose the device’s speaker if appropriate.
• You cannot hear the group: Raise the device volume, check its silent or audio settings, and confirm that audio is not playing through a connected headset or speaker you are not using.
• The video freezes or looks poor: Move closer to Wi-Fi, pause downloads or streaming on the network, and turn off your camera temporarily if the connection remains unstable. Leave and rejoin if the problem continues.
• An invitee cannot join: Resend the meeting link, ask them to open it in Meet, and check that they are signed in to the intended Google Account. If an approval request appears, admit them if you know who they are.
• The app or link behaves unexpectedly: Update Meet from the App Store, close and reopen it, and restart the device if necessary. If an old Hangouts link fails, ask the organizer for a new Meet link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still make group video calls in Google Hangouts?
Google Hangouts is no longer the consumer app for new calls. Use Google Meet for group video calls, including calls started from an iPhone or iPad.

Do all participants need the Meet app?
People joining on a phone or tablet may be prompted to install Meet or open it if it is already installed. The available joining method can depend on their device, browser, account, and the meeting settings.

Can I join without a Google Account?
Some meetings may allow a person without a Google Account to request entry, but the organizer may need to admit them. Access depends on the organizer’s settings and the attendee’s situation.

Can I start a group call without a meeting link?
Meet may offer ways to start a meeting and invite contacts, but a shareable link is a straightforward option. Send it to the people you want to join.

How do I end the call for everyone?
Tapping the hang-up button normally leaves the meeting for you; it does not necessarily end it for other participants. Meeting controls and organizer options can vary, so check the in-call menu if you need to manage the group.

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