What’s changing
Meeting hosts in Google Meet can now use Audio and Video Lock to turn off the microphones and/or cameras of other participants in the meeting and prevent them from turning them back on until you unlock them, in the main and breakout rooms. Earlier this year, we announced the ability for meeting hosts to mute everyone all at once in Google Meet on desktops/laptop devices. The new Audio and Video lock makes this feature more useful by enabling hosts to prevent participants from unmuting themselves after they are muted.
Host control screen
Who’s impacted
End users
Why it’s important
This feature gives meeting hosts more control over their meetings by letting them decide when they want to allow different levels of participation from attendees, for example to address disruptive participants.
Additional details
Participants using versions of the Android and iOS apps that do not support audio and video locks will be removed from the meeting if the host or co-host turns on either of the locks. If they attempt to join a meeting that has either of these locks enabled they will be prompted to update their app or use another device to join the meeting. Turning off audio or video locks will allow these participants to rejoin the meeting.
The minimum supported versions are:
Android:
- Android OS version M or newer
iOS
- iOS version 12 or newer
Meet or Gmail app:
- The most updated version
Audio or video locks, as well as chat and present locks, set by the host in the main meeting will also apply to subsequently launched breakout rooms. Once a breakout room is launched, any changes made to a lock setting in an individual room will not affect the settings of other breakout rooms or the main meeting.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Meet security & privacy for admins
- End users: This feature will be OFF by default. Hosts can turn it on during meetings. Host Management needs to be enabled to use these features.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: / Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) / October 21, 2021
- Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 1, 2021
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, and G Suite Basic and Business customers