Join a meeting using “companion mode” from Android and iOS tablets

Join a meeting using “companion mode” from Android and iOS tablets
Friday, June 13, 2025

What’s changing
Starting today, you can use companion mode on Apple iPads & Android tablets and foldable devices. Companion mode is a quick, light-weight way to participate in meetings without opening a laptop. This can be particularly useful in meeting spaces where room for a laptop is limited, or as an easy, discreet way to participate during large in-person meetings, such as all hands or town halls.

Specifically, you can use companion mode to:

• Check-in to the room to be identified by name.
• Share an emoji reaction without interrupting the speaker.
• Raise your hand to indicate that you’d like to speak.
• Turn on captions to view subtitles as everyone speaks during a meeting.
• Exchange chat messages with other meeting participants.
• View and zoom in on presented content to easily follow along with the presenter on your own device.
• Use Meet in the split screen view, helping you multitask.

Companion mode is already available for laptop and desktop devices, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.

Additional details
Minimum Android build required:
Meet: 308.0. (Android Settings> Apps > Meet >[App Info>Version])
Gmail: 2025.05.25. (Android Settings>Apps > Gmail>[App Info > Version])
Minimum iOS build required:
Meet: 310.0. (Meet >Settings>About, terms, and privacy>Version)
Gmail: 6.0.250601. (Settings>About Gmail>Version)

Getting started

• Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
• End users:
• This feature will be available by default. You can join a meeting using companion mode from the green room before your meeting. Use this Help Center article and video guide to learn more about using companion mode in Google Meet.
• Note: Your audio and mic will automatically be muted—we recommend using meeting room hardware for audio and video to avoid feedback.

Rollout pace
Android:

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 12, 2025
• Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 1, 2025

iOS:

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 16, 2025
• Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 7, 2025

Availability

• Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts