# Start or join a Google Meet video meeting

> Join a Google Meet meeting from Calendar, Gmail or a link, or start a new meeting and invite people, including clients outside your company.
>
> Source: https://docs.officeniaga.com/meet-start-join/

Google Meet runs in your web browser on a computer, so there is nothing to install. On a phone, use the Google Meet or Gmail app.

## Join a meeting

Pick whichever way you received the invitation. Each ends with a preview screen where you can check your camera and microphone.

- **From Google Calendar**: click the event, then **Join with Google Meet**, then **Join now**.
- **From a link** in an email, the Calendar invitation or a chat message: click the link, then **Join now**.
- **With a code**: go to [meet.google.com](https://meet.google.com), type the code in **Enter a code or nickname**, click **Join**, then **Join now**.

*(Screenshot: Enter a code or nickname box and Join button on the Google Meet home page)*

*(Screenshot: Meet preview screen with the Join now button)*

If you were not on the invitation, you see **Ask to join** instead, and someone in the meeting has to let you in.

## Start a meeting from Google Meet

Use this for a quick call now, or to get a link to send out.

1. Go to [meet.google.com](https://meet.google.com).
2. Click **New**.
3. Choose one of these:
   - **Create a meeting for later** gives you a link to copy and send.
   - **Start an instant meeting** starts the call straight away.
   - **Schedule in Google Calendar** opens a Calendar event with a Meet link.

   *(Screenshot: New menu: Create a meeting for later, Start an instant meeting, Schedule in Google Calendar)*

In Gmail, you can also click **Meet** in the left menu, then **New meeting**.

For planned meetings, creating the event in Calendar is best: guests get an invitation and the link is saved in the event. See [create a Calendar event & add Meet](/calendar-create-event/).

## Control who can get in

The host decides who can join without asking. Set this before or during the meeting.

1. In the meeting, click **Host controls** at the bottom right. Before the meeting, open the Calendar event, click **Video call options** next to **Join with Google Meet**, then **Host controls**.
2. Scroll to **Meeting access** and choose one:
   - **Open**: anyone with the link joins without asking.
   - **Trusted**: your colleagues and anyone on the Calendar invitation join directly; others ask.
   - **Restricted**: only people invited through Calendar or by the host join directly.

   *(Screenshot: Host controls panel with the Meeting access type options Open, Trusted and Restricted)*

## Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at [+60 16-916 3324](https://wa.me/60169163324).

## Common issues

### Can a client join without a Google account?

Yes. They click the link, type their name and click Ask to join. Someone in the meeting from your company then lets them in. Your admin can turn this off, so check with them if outsiders cannot get in.

### People say the camera or microphone does not work.

The browser must be allowed to use them. Click Allow when the browser asks the first time. If you blocked them, allow the camera and microphone for meet.google.com in your browser's site settings, then reload the page. Also close other apps that may be using the camera.

### Why do some people have to knock to get in?

It depends on the meeting's access setting. Colleagues and people on the Calendar invitation usually join straight away; anyone else asks to join. The host can change this under Host controls > Meeting access.