How to cast a Google Meet using a Chromecast

As part of the never-ending quest to make pandemic life easier, Google will now let you cast your Meet right to your TV. All you need to make your meetings larger than life is a trusty laptop and a Chromecast set up for casting. Ready to take your work from home setup to another level? Here’s everything you need to know on how to cast your Google Meet with a Chromecast.

See also: How to use Google Meet: Quick and easy video meetings

What is Google Meet?

Before we get into the advanced features, you might find that some basic information goes a long way. Google Meet, formerly known as Google Hangouts Meet, is a video-chatting app for personal and business use. It’s best thought of as an alternative to Skype or Zoom.

See also: Zoom vs Google Hangouts Meet: Which one is right for you?

One of Google Meet’s early flaws was that many of its premium features were locked behind a paywall. As the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on, Google has decided to unlock some of those features for free users, leading to a solid jump in popularity. So if you find yourself spending more time in Google Meet, it might be time to send your meetings to the big screen.

What do you need to cast a Google Meet?

Google keeps things pretty simple when it comes to casting. You won’t need too much extra hardware as long as you already have a second-generation Chromecast. Also, make sure that your Chrome browser is fully updated before you join your Google Meet. Of course, you’ll need a reliable camera and microphone as well, but those should come as no surprise.

See also: Not sold on Zoom? Here are the 8 best Zoom alternatives to consider

The best part of using a Chromecast to send your Google Meet to a TV is that you can do so at any time. Here are a few of the main things you need to know:

Cast your Google Meet with a Chromecast before you join

The easiest time to start casting your Google Meet with a Chromecast is before the meeting actually starts. As long as you follow these steps while you’re in the waiting room, you shouldn’t have to worry about interrupting the meeting or appearing not to pay attention. Follow these steps:

1. From the Waiting room screen, click on the Cast this meeting button. You’ll find it below the Join now and Present buttons.
2. Locate the device you wish to cast from the pop-up menu. The menu should show up in the top right corner of your browser.
3. Get comfortable on your couch while your meeting displays on your TV. Just remember that Google Meet will still use the camera and microphone from your laptop or device.

If you do not see the Cast this meeting button, double-check that your Chromecast and Chrome browser are both fully updated. You may also have to update your Chromecast if Google Meet allows you to cast, but you can’t find the correct device.

Cast your Google Meet during the meeting

If you’re joining a meeting late or you’ve decided to start casting your Google Meet partway through, the process is still pretty simple. You may not be able to make the switch without slightly interrupting the meeting, but it should only take a few seconds. Try these steps:

1. Click on the three dots icon at the bottom right corner of your meeting screen.
2. Select Cast this meeting from the menu that appears.
3. Choose your Chromecast from the list of available devices, and you should be good to go.

Once again, if you don’t see a Cast this meeting button or can’t find the right device, an update will probably be in order. Don’t forget that your TV probably doesn’t have a camera or microphone, so you’ll need your laptop handy.

See also: How to use Google Home with a Chromecast

Stop casting your Google Meet

It’s just as easy to stop casting your Google Meet as it is to start. You might decide that you no longer want to use your TV, or maybe the meeting is ending. The steps are almost identical to those above, so here you go:

1. Select the three dots icon at the bottom right corner.
2. Click on Stop casting meeting from the pop-up menu.

There you go, you’ve now learned how to cast a Google Meet to your Chromecast, as well as how to end it. We’ll have to see if Google has any more new features up its sleeves, but we’re not looking forward to the day that some features retreat behind a paywall once again. Of course, you can always head back to Zoom or try another video conferencing app for size when that does happen.