How to Use Host Management Controls in Google Meet to Manage Screen Sharing, Chat, and Meeting Security

Whether conducting corporate webinars, virtual classrooms, or organizational all-hands calls, managing meeting disruptions and securing presentation feeds is critical. In Google Meet, meeting creators and designated co-hosts have access to Host Management controls. When enabled, Host Management centralises administrative authority, allowing hosts to restrict participant screen sharing, disable in-call chat, turn off attendee microphones and cameras globally, require approval before joining, and appoint trusted co-hosts.

Enabling Host Management in Google Meet

Host Management can be toggled on during an active call or configured in advance via Google Calendar:

1. Inside an active Google Meet video call, look at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
2. Click the Host controls button (represented by a blue shield icon featuring a padlock).
3. At the top of the side panel, ensure the master toggle labeled Host management is switched to On.

When Host Management is enabled, only the meeting host and assigned co-hosts can alter security settings, eject participants, or modify attendee permissions.

Restricting Screen Sharing and Presentation Hijacking

Unscheduled or accidental screen sharing can disrupt presentations or expose sensitive information. To restrict screen sharing exclusively to hosts and presenters:

1. Open the Host controls panel (shield icon).
2. Under the Let everyone section, locate the Share their screen option.
3. Toggle the switch to the Off position.

Standard attendees will see their “Present now” button grayed out. If an attendee needs to present, the host can temporarily toggle the setting back on or promote the user to a co-host.

Managing In-Call Chat Messages and Reactions

To prevent chat spam, distracting side conversations, or unvetted link sharing during important announcements:

• Disable Chat Messages: In the Host controls panel, toggle off Send chat messages. Participants will be able to read past messages and host announcements, but cannot send new text until re-enabled.
• Disable In-Call Reactions: Toggle off Send reactions to silence floating emojis and animated feedback across the screen.

Enforcing Audio and Video Muting (Mic and Camera Locks)

When an attendee’s microphone creates echo or background feedback, hosts can mute individual participants by hovering over their video tile and clicking the microphone icon. However, for large calls, you can enforce an absolute audio lock:

1. In Host controls, toggle off Turn on their microphone.
2. To prevent video bandwidth consumption or unauthorized visual feeds, toggle off Turn on their video.

When these locks are active, participants cannot unmute themselves until the host toggles the global permissions back on.

Appointing and Delegating Co-Hosts

Managing large meetings is easier when delegating administrative responsibilities. Google Meet allows you to assign up to 25 co-hosts per call:

1. Click the People icon in the bottom-right corner to open the participant list.
2. Locate the person you wish to promote.
3. Click the three-dot menu icon next to their name.
4. Select Add as co-host.

Co-hosts inherit access to Host Management controls, breakout room configurations, and participant moderation tools.

Configuring Meeting Access Types (Open, Trusted, Restricted)

Fine-tune how attendees enter the meeting using Access Types in the Host controls panel under Meeting access:

• Open: Anyone with the meeting link can join directly without asking. No sign-in required.
• Trusted: Anyone within your Google Workspace organization or invited via Google Calendar can join directly without knocking; external visitors must knock and receive host approval.
• Restricted: Only individuals explicitly invited via Google Calendar or admitted manually by a host can enter the call.

Host Management Permissions Overview

Control Setting	Host Management: ON	Host Management: OFF
Screen Sharing	Can be restricted to hosts only	Open to all participants
Chat Messaging	Can be disabled selectively	Open to all participants
Microphone Lock	Hosts can prevent attendees unmuting	Participants can unmute at will
Co-Host Delegation	Supported up to 25 co-hosts	Disabled; single host only
Knocking Approval	Only hosts can approve join requests	Any domain member can admit guests