How to Join Google+ Hangout from iPad

Google+ Hangouts on iPad are a great way to video chat. There is no Google+ Hangouts app for iPad, but there is an easy way to join a hangout from iPad.

Google Hangouts is a central part of the Google+ social network, allowing users to video chat between devices and laptops without Apple’s FaceTime restrictions.

Although there is no Google+ iPad app, Google+ iPhone app It works great on iPad and looks good in 2X mode on the new iPad’s Retina Display.

In fact, the iPad is good enough that I now use the iPad as my primary Google+ hangout device.

How to Use Google+ Hangouts on iPad

To use Google Hangouts on iPad, users must download the free Google+ iPhone app.

It’s not possible to start a Google+ hangout on iPad, so users will need at least one participant to start a hangout on a computer and invite multiple users to hangout.

After being invited to a Google+ Hangout, iPad sends a notification or indicates a notification in the iPad app.

Tap Join hangout to start the video call.

Join a Google+ Hangout on iPad.

The next screen allows users to turn off the camera, switch between the front and rear cameras, and mute the microphone.

Tap Hangout when you’re ready and the Hangout will start. Check out a Google+ Hangout video on iPad below to see Hangout in action.

Google+ Hangouts on iPad works on WiFi, 3G and 4G, but 3G is too slow for good video performance. I recommend using a Bluetooth headset or wired headset for better sound quality. The iPad’s speaker is loud enough, but the microphone only delivers average sound to the person on the other end of the Hangout.

The Google+ app won’t work with Google Hangouts with Extras on iPad, so make sure the inviting party initiates a regular hangout.

We hope Google releases a Google+ iPad app with full Google+ Hangout support, including Extra Hangouts (even if iPad users only see videos) and the ability to start a Hangout. I prefer Hangouts to FaceTime as users don’t need a specific device and multiple user support.