Google Meet now uses ultrasound to help you join meetings faster

Google is rolling out automatic conference room detection to Google Meet on Android and iOS using inaudible ultrasonic signals from compatible room hardware; when a phone detects a room, Meet can offer Companion mode so the user can join without turning on the phone microphone or speaker.

Google is adding automatic conference room detection to Google Meet on Android and iOS. The feature uses inaudible ultrasonic signals sent by compatible meeting-room hardware that a phone can detect through its microphone. When the phone recognizes a supported room, Meet surfaces a Companion mode option so users can join without turning on the phone microphone or speaker. Workspace administrators can enable or disable the feature at the room level, and manual check-in remains available if automatic detection does not work. Key details: - Ultrasonic signals are silent to humans but detectable by a phone's microphone. - A detected room prompts the Meet app to offer Companion mode automatically. - Companion mode lets a phone join without activating its microphone or speaker to reduce echo or feedback. - The capability existed on laptops and is now being brought to phones for practical in-room use. - Google Workspace administrators control room-level availability, and manual check-in is still supported. Summary: The update is intended to smooth routine hybrid meeting steps and reduce the chance of audio feedback or overlap. Bringing automatic room detection to phones aims to make joining room calls more convenient in real-world settings. Availability is rolling out on Android and iOS, and room-level controls remain with administrators.