Google Meet Introduces ‘Switch Here’ Feature That Lets Users Switch Devices Without Leaving a Call

Google Meet is getting a new feature that will make it easier for users to switch between two different devices while on a call. The new feature, called Switch Here, will eliminate the need to end the call from one device and rejoin from another device, making the process seamless. The tech giant has made the feature available to both workspace accounts and personal account holders. Notably, earlier this year Google introduced a new feature for its video conferencing app that allowed hosts and co-hosts to pin up to three participants to the screen.

Making the announcement via its Workspace blog post, Google said: “Starting today, you can seamlessly transfer between devices while on a Google Meet call without hanging up and rejoining .[..]You'll notice the new 'Switch Here' option when you join a meeting on your laptop, which will switch the call from your mobile devices while you're in an ongoing conversation without worrying about missing important information.”

The post also shared a quick video demo of the feature and it works pretty simple. If a user has joined a call on their smartphone or laptop, they can open the meeting link on the other device which will now show a Switch Here button instead of “Join Now” . Once clicked, the application will seamlessly switch the user from one device to another, without showing the transition to other participants.

This is a useful feature for those who need to attend meetings while traveling or away from a computer. Instead of delaying the meeting due to device unavailability, they can simply join from their phone and switch when they get to their primary device. While this feature is available to Google Workspace users who are paid subscribers, this feature is free and also available to personal account holders.

Google has been adding new features to make its video conferencing app more convenient to use. In February, the platform received a new feature that allows the host or co-host to pin up to three participants. This tool is designed to help participants easily locate speakers in large meetings.