Connect to Google Meet hardware with room codes now in Early

Connect to Google Meet hardware with room codes now in Early Preview

Google Meet users can now connect to nearby conference room hardware by entering a 5-character room code on their personal device. Meet recently launched Connect Room using proximity-based detection to identify nearby hardware. This update provides a reliable manual fallback when ultrasound is unavailable or disabled. Users will see a “Connect with room code” button on their device’s pre-call screen, which allows them to enter the alphanumeric code displayed directly on the hardware’s screen.

This feature ensures that meetings remain accessible particularly for private or ad-hoc sessions where automated detection might fail. To maintain security and prevent accidental connections, users must physically confirm their presence by tapping the room hardware screen after entering the code. The room code itself is designed for clarity and security, refreshing every few minutes to ensure only those in the room can initiate the connection.

For IT administrators, this update reduces troubleshooting overhead by providing a built-in alternative for rooms with complex acoustic environments or restricted proximity settings. By streamlining the connection process, organizations can ensure that employees spend less time managing hardware and more time collaborating effectively.

Note: This feature is only available to users in domains on the Rapid Release track attempting to connect to devices enrolled in Early Preview. We’ll provide an update on the Workspace Updates blog when we begin a broader rollout.

Getting started

Admins: Admins: To preview this feature, your domain must be on the Rapid Release track and have devices enrolled in Early Preview. Visit the Help Center to learn more about enabling Early Preview for your Meet hardware devices.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about connecting with room codes.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Rolling out now to Meet hardware devices enrolled in Early Preview, with expected completion by June 30, 2026

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

Google Meet Help: Use Connect room feature in Google Meet
Workspace Updates Blog: Seamlessly join meetings on Google Meet hardware with “Connect room”

Google Meet has introduced a manual room code fallback for its “Connect Room” feature in Early Preview. This update allows users to connect their personal devices to conference room hardware using a 5-character alphanumeric code. It acts as a reliable backup when automated ultrasound proximity detection fails due to complex acoustic environments or restricted settings. [1, 2]

Admin Setup Requirements

To access this early preview, an IT administrator must configure the workspace domain and hardware fleet: [1, 3]

Rapid Release Track: Ensure your Google Workspace domain is set to the Rapid Release track.
Early Preview Enrollment: Opt your selected devices into the Early Preview Rooms (EPR) program via the Google Admin Console under Devices > Google Meet hardware > Device Settings > Feature Preview > Select Early Preview. [1, 4, 5]

How to Connect Using a Room Code

Once enabled, end-users can seamlessly bridge their laptops to the in-room hardware using these steps: [1, 6, 7]

Locate the Code: Find the 5-character alphanumeric room code displayed at the top of the main Google Meet hardware screen in the conference room. This code refreshes every few minutes for security. [1, 2, 6]
Open the Pre-Call Screen: On your personal laptop, navigate to Google Meet, enter your meeting details, or select a scheduled event to open the pre-meeting “green room” screen. [6]
Initiate Connection: Click the “Connect with room code” button located on the right side of the pre-call layout. [1, 6]
Enter Code: Type the code shown on the hardware screen into your laptop and click Connect Room. [6]
Physical Confirmation: To prevent accidental or unauthorized remote connections, you must physically tap “Connect” on the room’s touchscreen console to authorize the laptop. [1, 6]

Upon successful confirmation, the meeting will launch on the main room display while your laptop automatically switches to Companion Mode, keeping you checked-in and ready to present without audio feedback. [7, 8, 9]