Google Duo was a competitor to popular video and audio calling apps including FaceTime by Apple, WhatsApp and Messenger by Facebook, and Skype by Microsoft. In contrast to Apple’s FaceTime, Duo did not cost anything to use and could be installed on both iOS and Android smartphones. However, Google integrated Duo with Google Meet in August 2022, and the service is now named as Meet.
Learn the current procedure, and if you’re curious about the old procedure (for whatever reason), you’ll find it all here.
Once upon A Time, Google Duo Was Renamed Google Meet
It makes sense to consolidate Google’s two video-calling apps, Duo and Google Meet, which were previously in an odd form of rivalry, as the company did at the beginning of June 2022.
The integration then became effective around the beginning of August 2022. Unfortunately, the procedure wasn’t as streamlined as we had intended. However, the Google Meet app is still available, albeit under a different name: Google Meet (original).
Even though Duo hasn’t changed at all, Google has rebranded it as Meet and incorporated all of that app’s capabilities. On the other hand, the original Meet does not yet have all of Duo’s capabilities and will likely be phased out in the future.
Visit our Google Meet page for additional information on this updated platform (and its companion app, Duo). The information below will explain how Duo operated prior to the merger.
In What Ways Did Google Duo Function?
- The First Steps
- Put Google Duo on your iPhone or Android right now.
- Accept Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Statement
- You can choose to allow Duo access to your microphone and camera and get notifications.
- Please double-check that number by entering it again.
- Input the one-time verification code you received via text message.
At This Point, the App’s Primary User Interface Should Load
The primary interface for Google Duo is a split screen that displays your camera feed on top and your contact lists and groups on the bottom. A search bar and an options menu are atop the interface.
Online Video Chat
When you launch Duo, you’ll always be sent to the camera view, with the search bar and your contacts and groups below.
Start a video call by searching for the person you want to talk to, tapping their name in the results, and then tapping the video call icon in the bottom centre of your screen.
When you initially dial, Google will provide “Smile! Presenting Knock Knock! “with a message saying that their phone will display your number while you’re calling them if they have you saved as a contact. If your friend is calling you, they won’t be able to see you on the screen. So, when you make a video call to a friend, you’ll both see a screen warning you that your video is visible, as well as the person’s name or number and an end button (likely you).
If you get a video call while using your phone, a special screen will appear with information on the caller, a live feed from the other person’s camera, and options to accept the call, reject it, or end the call. Depending on your settings, you may be alerted to an incoming video call even while you’re not actively using your phone.
The actual video call screen, including a view of whatever your buddy’s camera sees and four buttons, will appear whenever you answer a video call or if your friend answers your call. There is a mute button, a button to switch between the front and back cameras, a button to activate the flashlight, and an end call button. In addition, a miniature version of your camera’s field of vision appears (which, when expanded, reduces your friend’s camera view to the larger, circular thumbnail). Everything here is easy to understand.
When a call is ended by either party, the user is returned to the main screen with the camera, search bar, and “Create Group” button.
One can search for contacts by name or phone and then invite them to use Duo from the search box. It may seem obvious, but remember that your friends also need to instal Duo in order to make video calls to you using Duo.
Control Your Whims
The three horizontal dots button may be accessed from the main screen of the Google Duo app (the one with the camera view, the search bar, and the “Create Group” button). The next page displays links to Duo’s Settings, Privacy, Help, and Feedback. Choose Preferences by clicking the button.
You can disable features like Knock Knock and Low-light mode, among others, from this section of the settings. In addition to Siri Shortcuts for iOS users, other options include limiting mobile data consumption, enabling vibration while ringing (Android only), deregistering your phone number, adding a Google Account, and blocking specific numbers.
Features like Duo Moments, in which a user appears in and takes a photo during a call, can be activated and shared with the group.
How About Turning Off Knock Knock on Google Duo?
Yes. The Knock Knock function of Duo allows you to watch a live video feed of the incoming caller before picking up. Disabling it is as simple as going to the app’s ‘Settings’ menu (where else? ‘Manage preferences’) and selecting the desired option.
Please Turn Off Google Duo’s Low-Light Mode if Possible
Yes. During a video call, Duo’s Low-light option will help you be more visible to the other person in dim lighting. We noted the ‘Settings’ menu above under the ‘Manage Preferences’ area, where you can turn off this function.
