Many of you must be wondering if you can use Google Meet without your video, that is, without showing your face. Yes, it’s not mandatory to keep your camera on when joining an online class, conference call, or remote meeting in Google Meet. While it may seem simple, it can be a little tricky. Let’s see how to hide and show yourself in Google Meet on Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac.
With the rise in the use of video calling apps, many people are worried about showing their face in Google Meet. That’s why they prefer to skip some meetings. But you don’t need to do that. You can turn off the camera in Google Meet and it will hide you from others.
Let’s start checking out the step-by-step instructions to hide and show yourself in Google Meet on mobile apps and PC.
Note: When you hide your camera feed, you can still see the others depending on the camera privacy settings. Others can hear you even when the microphone is on. The microphone setting is independent of the camera.
How to Hide Your Face in Google Meet Before Joining a Meeting
Whether you’re the creator of the meeting or joining as a participant, the steps below will help you turn off your video camera before joining a Google Meet meeting.
Hide Yourself Before Joining a Meeting on a Laptop
As of now, Google Meet does not have a desktop app. Available through the web version at meet.google.com. When you create or join a Google Meet meeting on the desktop (Windows or macOS), you see the Ready to meet screen. You can disable your camera or even your microphone so that other people attending the meeting cannot see or hear you.
Tap the Camera icon to turn off the camera. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + E (Windows) and Command + E (macOS) to enable or disable the camera.
Pro Tip: If your device has more than one camera, to change the camera, tap the three-dot icon in the lower right corner of the camera preview screen and go to Settings. Also check out 6 awesome Google Meet extensions to boost your productivity.
Hide Yourself Before Joining a Meeting on Android
To join a Google Meeting on Android, enter the required code in the Join Meeting box or click the invite link. You will be directed to the ask to join screen. Likewise, when you create a meeting, you will be directed to the meeting screen.
Here you will find the Camera and Microphone icons. Tap the Camera icon to turn off your video. The camera button will turn red. Tap on it again if you want to show your video to others. Finally, tap on Ask to join to enter the meeting.
Hide Yourself Before Joining a Meeting on iPhone and iPad
To join a Google Meet meeting, click the invite link or open the app and create a meeting or join a meeting using a code. In any case, you will see a preview of your video along with the Camera and Microphone buttons before joining the meeting. Before joining a meeting on iPad and iPhone, tap the Camera button to turn off your video and hide your face from others. Tap on it again to activate the video.
Fly: Wondering What’s Available in Google Meet on iPhone and iPad? Find the answer in our guide.
How to Hide Your Face in Google Meet After Joining a Meeting
Although attendees can turn off their video cameras to hide themselves, it doesn’t matter if you host the meeting because you can do the same.
How to Hide Yourself After Joining a Meeting on a Laptop
To hide yourself in an ongoing Google Meet meeting on the web, click the Camera icon at the bottom of the Google Meet meeting screen. The button will turn red. Click again to activate the camera and reveal yourself.
Pro Tip: Use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + E (Windows) and Command + E (macOS) to hide and show yourself from others in Google Meet.
How to Hide Yourself After Joining a Meeting on Android
While in a meeting in Google Meet on Android, tap the screen once to show various options. Tap the Camera icon to turn off your camera and hide your face. Tap the same icon again to reveal yourself.
Pro Tip: A red Camera icon means the camera is turned off.
How to Hide Yourself After Joining a Meeting on iPhone and iPad
After joining a meeting in Google Meet on iOS and iPadOS, tap the meeting screen. Then tap the Camera icon to disable your video for others. When the icon turns red, tap on it again to hide yourself from others.
Disable Camera by Default in Google Meet
Currently, there is no option to turn off your camera by default for all meetings in Google Meet, as there is with Zoom. The best alternative is to disable the camera before joining meetings, as shown above.
Bonus Tip: How to Flip Camera in Google Meet
To change the camera in Google Meet on Android, iPhone and iPad, follow these steps:
Stage 1: Open the Google Meet app and join a meeting.
Step 2: Tap the meeting screen to show the options. Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner. Next, select Change camera.
Meeting Open
We hope you will no longer worry about your video broadcast while joining Google Meet meetings, because you can control the privacy setting and hide yourself from others. Google gives the Meet app non-stop background blur, low-light mode, etc. Adds new features such as You’ll now find Google Meet even inside Gmail. What is your favorite feature from the app? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you encounter any other issue with the app, leave a comment.
Next: Getting started with Google Meet? Check out these 9 Google Meet tips and tricks for beginners at the next link.
