Google Workspace Changes

Updated 'Limit video bandwidth' admin setting to include downlink limits and improve two-person call quality.

Google is updating the 'Limit video bandwidth' setting in the Admin console to better manage data usage and call quality. The setting, which previously only limited uplink bandwidth, now also limits downlink bandwidth. Additionally, Google is increasing uplink bandwidth usage specifically for two-person calls to improve overall video quality in those scenarios.

Google Meet users can now connect to nearby conference room hardware using a 5-character room code.

Google Meet hardware now supports connecting via a 5-character alphanumeric room code entered on a personal device, providing a reliable manual fallback when proximity-based detection is unavailable or disabled. To maintain security, users must physically confirm their presence by tapping the hardware screen after entering the code, and the codes refresh every few minutes. This feature is currently available in Early Preview for domains on the Rapid Release track.

iOS users can now join Google Meet calls directly through the Safari browser without installing an app.

iOS mobile device users can now participate in Google Meet sessions via Safari, eliminating the requirement to have the Gmail or Meet apps installed. This process allows individuals, including those without a Google account, to join meetings by simply providing their name to request entry.

Google Meet is now integrated with Android Auto for hands-free meeting access in vehicles.

Google Meet is now available on Android Auto, allowing users to safely access their meeting schedules, join discussions, and make or receive audio calls directly from their vehicle's dashboard. For safety reasons, the camera remains off and video content is not displayed, focusing entirely on audio communication via the microphone and vehicle speakers.

Google Meet now supports sending 1080p HD video from ChromeOS meeting room hardware.

Google Meet has extended its 1080p HD video sending capability to meeting room hardware based on ChromeOS. Full HD video is automatically utilized when additional bandwidth is available and necessary, such as when the room is viewed on large screens in Spotlight mode, during 1:1 calls, when a participant pins the room's video, or when the meeting is being recorded. The system continues to automatically adjust video quality based on network constraints to ensure a smooth experience.

Ask Gemini prompt box moved to the bottom left-hand corner of the Google Meet web interface.

Google is improving the accessibility of the Ask Gemini feature in Google Meet on the web by moving the prompt box from the top right corner (where it was previously accessed via hover) to the bottom left-hand corner of the interface. This change is intended to make the feature easier to discover and use during calls, without changing the underlying functionality of the tool.

Android-based all-in-one room devices from Neat and Logitech are now certified for Google Meet.

The Neat Board series (32, 50, and Pro) and the Logitech Rally Board 65 are now certified for Google Meet as the first Android-based all-in-one devices. These devices feature touch displays for video meetings and interactive whiteboarding via Figma, Lucid, and Miro add-ons, and are available for order through authorized partners.

Google Meet now automatically redirects users to the live stream when an adaptive meeting reaches its maximum contributor capacity.

When an adaptive Google Meet meeting reaches its maximum capacity for contributors (those with camera, microphone, and screen sharing privileges), any additional users attempting to join the main call are automatically redirected to the live stream. In the live stream, users can still interact using reactions, chat, polls, and Q&A, depending on the host's settings. This update provides a smoother experience for large meetings without altering existing access settings or host controls.

Google Meet now allows administrators to require explicit consent from participants before recording, transcription, or Gemini note-taking begins.

Google Meet is introducing a new feature that allows administrators to require explicit consent from meeting participants before automatic note-taking with Gemini, recording, and/or transcription begins. This ensures that participants on supported devices must actively agree to be recorded, transcribed, or have notes enabled. The feature is OFF by default and can be enabled at the domain, OU, or group level via the Admin console.

New customization options and an improved Decisions section for 'Take notes for me' in Google Meet.

Google Meet is enhancing the 'Take notes for me' feature by allowing users to customize which sections are included in their meeting notes, such as Summary, Decisions, Next steps, and Details, via an in-call menu. The update also introduces a dedicated 'Decisions' section to track outcomes and their status (e.g., Aligned, Shelved), and provides a more concise and scannable improved summary section.

Google Meet hardware introduces 'Connect Room' for seamless meeting joins via personal devices.

The 'Connect Room' feature allows users to start or join meetings on Google Meet hardware from their personal devices using ultrasound proximity detection, eliminating the need to manually enter meeting codes. This update includes room disambiguation to help users select the correct room in areas with multiple conference rooms and updated in-room UI instructions to guide users toward the 'Connect Room' experience.

Seamlessly join meetings on Google Meet hardware with the 'Connect room' feature using ultrasound proximity detection.

The 'Connect room' feature, initially introduced to Early Preview Rooms in December 2025, is now rolling out to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware. This feature enables users to start or join meetings from their personal devices by automatically connecting to a nearby Google Meet hardware system using ultrasound proximity detection, eliminating the need for manual meeting code entry. Enhancements include room disambiguation for environments with multiple conference rooms and in-room UI instructions to guide users on using the feature.

Google Meet now provides higher quality video for users with high-resolution displays, offering sharper and more detailed video in meetings.

Google Meet has been updated to deliver higher quality video, particularly for users with high-resolution displays, on both the web and in meeting rooms. This enhancement results in sharper and more detailed video, especially beneficial in meetings with three or more participants. While this change will utilize additional bandwidth, Meet is designed to automatically adjust resolution if a device's bandwidth is limited. Future updates will include Admin console settings to manage default video quality and bandwidth within organizations.

Additional Lightware peripheral switchers certified for BYOD in Google Meet ChromeOS touch controller rooms.

Google has certified additional Lightware peripheral switchers—including the Taurus UCX 4x2 HC60, 4x3 HC60, 4x2 HC60D, and 4x3 HC60 BD—to support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) functionality in Google Meet ChromeOS touch controller rooms. This integration allows users to connect laptops via a single USB-C cable to utilize room displays, speakers, microphones, and cameras. Key benefits include seamless transition to BYOD mode, meeting continuity that prevents interruptions to active calls, and enhanced admin visibility within the Google admin console to monitor BYOD activity and reduce erroneous peripheral alerts.

Speech translation is now rolling out to Google Meet Android and iOS apps.

Google Meet is expanding its speech translation feature to mobile devices on Android and iOS, allowing audio to be translated in near-real-time to help global teams communicate more naturally. The feature currently supports bidirectional translation between English and Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian, with a limit of one language pair per meeting. While users in conference rooms can hear translations, their own speech will not be translated.