How to Transfer an Ongoing Google Meet Call Between Devices Using Switch Here

In hybrid working environments, it is common to join a morning Google Meet standup on your Android phone or iPhone while commuting, only to reach your desk mid-meeting. Historically, moving the call required leaving the session on your phone, opening your computer, and rejoining as a new participant—causing audible join chimes and disrupting speakers. Google Meet now includes a native Switch Here feature that transfers active calls between computers and mobile devices with zero downtime.

How the ‘Switch Here’ Feature Works

When you are logged into the same Google Workspace or personal Google account across multiple devices, Google Meet detects active video calls tied to your profile. Rather than creating a redundant second participant in the meeting room, Google Meet offers two distinct options when accessing the meeting link on a secondary device:

• Switch here: Seamlessly transfers your audio, video, and microphone streams to the new device while cleanly disconnecting your previous device in the background.
• Join here too: Keeps both devices active simultaneously (often used when using a second screen for presentations or Companion Mode).

Prerequisites for Seamless Call Switching

To ensure Google Meet detects your ongoing call:

1. Same Google Account: You must be signed into the identical Google Workspace or personal Google account on both devices.
2. Supported Browsers & Apps: Use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari on desktop, and the official Google Meet app on Android or iOS.
3. Active Call Session: You must currently be unmuted or connected to the meeting on your initial device.

Step 1: Open the Meeting on Your Destination Device

While remaining connected to the call on your original device (such as your phone):

1. Open your laptop or desktop computer.
2. Navigate to the meeting link from your Google Calendar, an email invitation, or directly via meet.google.com.
3. On the home dashboard, Google Meet will display your current ongoing session marked with an active badge stating “Happening now”. Click Join.

Step 2: Select ‘Switch Here’ on the Green Room Preview

Instead of the standard “Join now” prompt, the pre-call green room screen displays a notification stating: “You’re already in this call on another device.”

1. Review your camera and microphone preview to ensure your hardware devices are correctly assigned.
2. Click the prominent blue Switch here button.
3. Google Meet instantly moves your active video and audio connection to your computer.
4. Your initial device automatically disconnects from the call without emitting an exit tone or interrupting other meeting participants.

How to Switch Back to Your Mobile Device

If you need to step away from your desk while the meeting is still running:

1. Open the Google Meet app on your Android smartphone or iPhone.
2. Look for the ongoing meeting at the top of your meeting list.
3. Tap the meeting and select Switch here.
4. The desktop session will disconnect, and your mobile microphone and camera will engage immediately.

Utilising the Switch Here capability in Google Meet guarantees uninterrupted professional communication, enabling effortless transitions between mobile transit and office desk setups.