Do you work at home or do you want to make (video) calls with colleagues or friends? Then Google Hangouts is an excellent and accessible service to do that. In this beginner’s guide we explain everything to get off to a flying start.
Google Hangouts and Meet beginner guide
With Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar and Hangouts, Google has an extensive collection of free services that make it easy to stay productive from home. All you need is a Google account, which you can create for free when you start one of these services for the first time. In this Google Hangouts beginner’s guide, we give you a hand to be able to use the app without any experience.
Important to know in advance: Google Hangouts and Google Hangouts Meet are two separate iOS apps. We recommend installing both, as Meet makes it easier to make video calls. You can download via the links at the bottom of this article.
1. This is how Google Hangouts works (text, video, etc.)
If you’ve created a Google account and are signed in, the Hangouts app will look surprisingly simple on your iPhone and iPad. At the bottom of the screen is a taskbar, in which you can see your contacts, favorite contacts, Hangouts and conversations from left to right. Three of the four are self-explanatory and the ‘Hangouts’ tab contains all the ongoing chat conversations you have.
The app looks different on the Mac or other computer. However, the same tabs can be found on the side of your screen. There you will see your contacts, Hangouts conversations and calls from top to bottom. By tapping on the three dots underneath, you open the settings.
2. Use Google Hangouts on all your devices
The handy thing about Hangouts is that you can use the service on almost all your devices. All you have to do is log in with the same Google account. Whether you use iOS, Android, macOS or Windows: Hangouts is available everywhere. That makes this service a lot more accessible than FaceTime, which can only be downloaded on Apple devices.
3. Invite people to an appointment
Do you have Google Hangouts and Hangouts Meet working properly? Then it is now time to create a (group) conversation. Since you can chat, call and video call in Hangouts, it depends a bit on what you prefer.
4. This is how you set up your camera, speakers and microphone
Before you make a (video) call to someone, you naturally want to know whether your own camera, microphone and speaker are working properly.
iPhone and iPad
This is easy on your iPhone and iPad: the app uses the front camera and built-in microphone of your device by default. Do you use headphones with a microphone (such as the AirPods)? Then Hangouts will automatically switch to this.
Mac
To set up your Mac properly, it is useful to start a test conversation with yourself. You do that as follows.
- Open the Hangouts or Meet website on your Mac;
- Start a video call by tapping the video icon;
- Press the gear wheel at the top right of the screen;
- Under the ‘General’ tab you can select a device for video, microphone and speakers.
Handy here is the ‘Test’ button behind speakers. This ensures that the app does well when you actually start a conversation with someone.
5. Share your screen in Hangouts
Hangouts is also a popular service for businesses and schools. That’s why it’s convenient that there is a built-in function to share your entire Mac or computer screen from within the app. For example, you can show all your colleagues a presentation while you explain it. You do this as follows.
- Start a video call;
- Click on the three dots at the top right of the screen (next to the gear);
- Click on ‘Share screen’;
- In the message that appears, click on ‘Allow’;
- Your full screen is now shared and people in the conversation now see the same thing you see;
- Press ‘Stop’ to stop sharing and continue the conversation.
Keep in mind that everyone in the conversation can now see what’s on your screen.
6. Group conversation: this is how you set who comes into the picture (adjust layout)
Are you in a video call with a group of more than four people? Then Google Hangouts automatically chooses to portray the person who is speaking in large format. In many cases this is useful, but not always. Fortunately, there are several layout options available:
- Start a Google Hangouts (Meet) group conversation;
- Click on the icon of the two figures at the top right of the screen;
- Click on the person you want to permanently display;
- Then click on the pushpin.
Another option is to change the entire layout of the conversation. You do this by clicking on the three dots in the bottom bar. A window will then appear with several ways to visualize your conversation.
7. Problems connecting? Try this
If a lot of people are on Google Hangouts or if you have problems with your internet connection, the quality can deteriorate or the conversation may even drop out. Although the app itself tries to maintain the connection, you can also give the app a hand. You do this as follows:
- During a call with a bad connection, press the cogwheel;
- Click on ‘Bandwidth’;
- Check under ‘Outgoing video and Incoming video’ which quality has been selected. The lower the quality, the easier the app can stream it.
Are you still unable to have a good conversation after this? Then we recommend that you turn off the video by clicking on the camera. The app then switches to an audio call, which is a lot less intensive for your internet connection.
More tips for working well at home
Looking for more useful tips and apps to improve home working? Check our overview:
- Microsoft Teams: 9 tips for novice users
- The 5 best video calling apps for group calls on your iPhone or Mac
- House party app: 5 tips for an online house party with your friends
- Working from home: 4 project management apps for working remotely