Google has announced a new proximity-based automatic check-in feature for Google Meet on mobile devices, further enhancing the hybrid work experience for users. The update allows the Google Meet app on Android and iOS to automatically detect when a user is physically present inside a meeting room equipped with compatible Google Meet hardware.
According to the official Google Workspace Updates blog, the feature uses ultrasonic signals—inaudible to humans—emitted by meeting room hardware. When these signals are detected, the mobile Google Meet app recognises the user’s presence and prompts them to join the meeting in Companion Mode, reducing microphone and speaker interference during calls.
Companion Mode disables the phone’s microphone and speakers while still allowing users to participate through chat, polls, and Q&A features. Until now, this capability was limited to web users on supported laptops and desktops. With the mobile rollout, Google aims to support flexible work environments such as shared offices and hotdesking setups.
The feature is being rolled out gradually to Google Workspace users and requires microphone permissions to be enabled on the device. Administrators can manage compatibility and settings through the Google Admin Console. Google noted that the update helps prevent common hybrid meeting issues such as audio feedback, duplicate join-ins, and confusion between in-room and remote participants.
