Tech Reference

How to schedule a Google Meet appointment or start one immediately

man using phone and laptop at home
There are several ways to schedule a Google Meet call. JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images
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Google Meet is one of the most popular video conferencing apps around. But to use it, you need to know how to make and schedule meetings.

Luckily, there are multiple ways to schedule Google Meet calls, or start them right away. Here's how to do both on your computer or phone.

How to start or schedule a Google Meet call 

Using Google Calendar

1. Open Google Calendar on your computer or phone and tap the plus sign icon to create a new event.

The Google Calendar app with the "create event" icon highlighted.
Create a new event for your Google Meet call.  William Antonelli/Insider

2. Tap Add video conferencing or Add Google Meet video conferencing. Google will generate a meeting link for you.

A Google Calendar event creation page, with the video conferencing option highlighted.
You can add video conferencing even if the event is far in the future.  William Antonelli/Insider

3. Tap Save to make the meeting. 

You can then select the meeting on your calendar to see the link, which you can share with anyone you want to invite. You can also click Join with Google Meet to open the call right away.

A Google Calendar event page, with the Google Meet link highlighted.
As soon as you make an event, you'll be given the Google Meet link.  William Antonelli/Insider

Using Gmail

There are two ways to use Gmail to schedule a Meet call.

  • Open Gmail on your computer and click Meet in the left sidebar, and then New meeting. A pop-up will appear with a link to a meeting that you can share.
A Gmail page with the Meet options highlighted.
You can start a new meeting from any Gmail page.  William Antonelli/Insider
  • Open the Gmail app on your phone and tap the Meet icon in the bottom-right corner (it looks like a camera). On the page that opens, tap New meeting. You can then start a meeting right away or schedule one using Google Calendar.
The Gmail app's Meet tab, with the New meeting option highlighted.
The Gmail mobile app has a page for Google Meet built-in.  William Antonelli/Insider

Using Google Meet

1. Open Google Meet on your computer or phone and select New meeting.

2. Select Start an instant meeting or Get joining info to share if you want to start a meeting right away.

3. Select Schedule in Google Calendar to make a meeting for the future. Refer to the Google Calendar steps above for more information.

The Google Meet app's meeting options.
You can start a meeting right away, or schedule one for later.  William Antonelli/Insider

Dave Johnson contributed to a previous version of this article.

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ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
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