FAQs: Transition from legacy calls to the new Meet call experience

Important:

• Legacy calls are being upgraded to Meet calls, which contain expanded features like live captions, in-call chat, stackable effects, cloud encryption, screen sharing, and more.
• As users move to Meet calling, some legacy calling features are upgraded. However, some features like Family mode, Moments, and Knock Knock will no longer be available.
• The legacy (Duo) messages feature is no longer available.

To use the new calling experience, update your Meet app to the latest version. When all parties in the call are using the latest version of Meet with the update, they’ll see an in-app prompt explaining that they are now using the new calling experience. Otherwise, the call will default to the legacy calling experience. Once all users are using the updated Meet app, legacy calling will no longer be accessible.

Learn more about the differences between legacy calls and Meet calls and see a side by side comparison with visuals.

Frequently asked questions

General questions

What is changing?

Google Duo was upgraded and rebranded to Google Meet in 2022. However, the legacy calling experience (previously known as Duo) was still available. Now, these legacy calls are being upgraded to Meet calls, which contain expanded features like cloud encryption, live captions, in-call chat, stackable effects, and more. To use the new Meet calling experience, update your app to the latest version. As users move over to Meet calling, some of the legacy calling features will no longer be available. In addition, any reference to what was formerly known as Duo will now show “legacy.”

Why is this changing?

Google Meet is now a cohesive video communication solution, offering both direct video calls and scheduled meeting experiences. By bringing these capabilities together, we are able to further invest in new, innovative experiences, maintain high quality standards, and offer better supportability so users can connect with anyone, from anywhere, at any time. To facilitate a smooth transition, we have maintained the core calling functionalities that users rely on the most, while a few features will no longer be available.

When will legacy calling no longer be available & what do I need to do?

After all users have been migrated to the new Meet calling experience on the upgraded Meet app, legacy calling will no longer be available.

Feature changes

What new features will I have access to?

• Send in-call chat messages
• Use live captions
• Use screen sharing
• Stackable effects
• On-the-go mode
• Add ons
• Improved tabled and foldable tablet layouts
• Hand Raise
• Joining ongoing calls without a Google Account (guest joins)
• Premium Meet features depending on your Google Workspace edition or Google One subscription.

Why can't I see the old Duo features?

The following legacy calling features will no longer be available on the new Meet calling experience:

• Family mode
• Knock Knock
• Moments (alternative is on-device screenshot)
• Mirror mode
• Low light mode (alternative is video lighting adjustment and Portrait touch up for some users)
• Data saving mode (alternative is Meet saver mode)

Meanwhile, Meet calling offers many new features and alternatives like in-call chat, live captions, screen sharing, and more to help people connect with others whenever and however it works for them.

How come I am being called at my email?

Previously, Duo allowed users to determine if they wanted to be reached by their phone number and/or at their email. Meet calling defaults to being reachable at your email.

To restrict who can call you at your personal account:

1. Go to Menu.
2. Select Settings General.
3. Turn on Only contacts can call me.
   • This will limit your calls to only contacts you have saved at contacts.google.com.
   • Learn more about how contacts are saved.

How come when I call one person they can see my incoming feed, but another can't?

This is due to the legacy feature Knock Knock, which shares your incoming video feed in legacy calls. If you are still using legacy calling but you’re calling someone who uses the new Meet calling experience, Knock Knock is not offered. If both you and the recipient use the legacy experience, Knock Knock is available. After all participants have migrated to Meet calling, Knock Knock will no longer be available. Learn more about Knock Knock.

Ringing issues

How come I am not receiving a ring?

Click here to troubleshoot.

How come I am not receiving a missed call notification on my device even though someone called me?

This could be due to your device being off or disconnected. In the future, you will see missed call notifications even if your device is off or disconnected.

I started a call in Chat or Gmail but it didn’t go through

Calls started in Chat or Gmail will only ring users who have Chat or Gmail installed, notifications turned on, and the ability to receive Meet calls turned on. Currently, Chat and Gmail calls don’t ring Meet directly. Learn more about why your device didn’t ring.

Contacts

How come my incoming or outgoing call screen says one name, but in the call I see a different name?

The incoming and outgoing call screens are using your saved contact information at contacts.google.com. In the call, we are showing that contact’s preferred Google Profile name.

I am searching for a contact via their phone number but it doesn’t show that they’re signed up (reachable) in Meet even though I know they are

If you haven’t consented to sharing your local device contacts with Google, we won’t be able to show whether a person is reachable or not when you search for them. To resolve this, you can give permission to share your device contacts with Google and they will also be available across all your devices.

To turn on permission to share your device contacts with Google:

1. Go to https://myactivity.google.com/devicecontacts.
2. Turn on Save contact info from your signed-in devices.

How come I have “Only contacts can call me” but someone I haven’t saved as a contact is still able to reach me?

When you interact with people on Google services, you could be automatically saving them as a contact. Learn more about this setting and how to turn it off.

Group calling

How come I can’t add or remove users from a group anymore?

New group calling no longer supports adding or removing users directly. Instead, you can start a new group call with the user(s) added or removed.

Is the group calling option unavailable on Nest displays?

Incoming group calls are supported on Nest displays but outgoing group calls are not supported from Nest speakers or displays.

Phone numbers

How come I can’t verify my phone number?

This could be due to several factors:

• The number was entered incorrectly.
• The carrier you are using isn’t supported.
• The verification code was sent to your messages. You will need to enter this code manually into Meet.
  • Learn how to troubleshoot phone number verification issues.

Messages

How come I can no longer send or receive messages?

The legacy (Duo) messages feature is no longer available.

Child accounts

How come when I call my child the call doesn’t go through?

To protect children, underage personal accounts automatically only receive calls from contacts. Make sure you are a contact of your child at contacts.google.com.

My child used to be able to receive calls but now they can’t

Your child’s account was at one point not considered an underage account but now is. As a result, we restrict children to only receive calls from contacts. Make sure you are a contact of your child at contacts.google.com.