Google Hangouts allows users around the world to easily video chat, communicate and share, from meetings to watching movies together. There are many features in the Hangouts application, so follow this guide to start taking full advantage of the features in Hangouts.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Creating a Hangout
Step 1. Sign in to Google+
You will need a Google account, like the one you use for Gmail. Google+ is a social networking site designed for Google account users.
Step 2. Find the Hangout frame on the left of the Google+ page
In this frame, you'll see a list of recent Hangouts and contacts you've recently emailed.
Step 3. Create a new Hangout
Click the “+ New Hangout” column at the top of the Hangout list. The list will change to a list of all your contacts and circle of friends on your Google+. Check the box next to the photo of the person you want to add to the Hangout.
- No matter which platform you're on, clicking or tapping a contact or Hangout conversation will open a chat box. If the person you are talking to is inactive, they will receive a message when they open the Hangout client.
- You can also search for the person/friends circle by typing the name, email address, or cell phone number you want in the box at the top of the list.
Step 4. Choose the Hangout format
You can start a text-based or video-based Hangout, but you can turn a text chat into a video chat at any time.
Method 2 of 4: Chat on Google+ Hangouts
Step 1. Add emoji in your conversation
If you click or tap the smile icon on the left side of the chat box, a list of emoticons and emojis that you can use will appear. The icons are divided into categories which you can explore by selecting the icon at the top of the emoticon screen.
Step 2. Share the image
You can add an image to your Hangout by clicking the camera icon to the right of the chat box. After you click the icon, a Select Image window on your computer or menu options on your mobile will open.
You can use your webcam or phone camera to take and share pictures, or you can select images from other sources, such as your computer or phone memory
Step 3. Adjust chat settings
If you are using a computer, click the cog icon in the chat window to adjust the archive settings. You can also block people you're chatting with.
If you are using a mobile device, press the menu button and select an option in the menu that appears
Step 4. Turn text conversations into video conversations
Click the video camera button at the top of the chat box. The other person will receive a notification that you are about to start a video chat. You can video chat via computers and mobile devices.
Video calls do not require that both parties have cameras. You can make video calls with video in one direction and microphone in the other, or just camera and text
Method 3 of 4: Starting a Hangout Party
Step 1. Go to the Google+ webpage
In the lower-right corner of the window, you'll find a link to create a "Hangout Party," or group video chat with up to 10 people. "Hangout Party" allows all participants to connect via video and text. You can share YouTube videos and collaborate on documents.
Mobile users can join the "Hangout party", but their access to additional features such as YouTube videos or Google Docs integration will be limited
Step 2. Create a meeting description and invite people
Once you start the Hangout, you'll be asked to enter a description and add people to the invite list. The description you enter will be sent with the invitation.
You can restrict calls to only users 18 years of age and over
Step 3. Start chatting
If your camera is set up correctly, you can start chatting right away. The bottom pane of the Hangouts window shows all the users connected to your Hangout, while the right pane shows text chats. If you don't see the text chat pane, click the Chat icon on the left side of the window.
Step 4. Capture the image
If there's something on the screen that you want to save to remember, click the Capture button in the menu on the right. A camera icon will appear at the bottom of the screen, and the image on the screen will be captured when you click the button.
Step 5. Share YouTube videos
Click the YouTube button in the left menu to start the YouTube Hangout app. You can add a video to a Hangout playlist, and the video will play for everyone at the same time. Click the blue “Add videos to playlist” button to find YouTube videos to add.
- The video will appear in the Hangouts main pane. Anyone in the group can change the video player and skip the video.
- The microphone will be muted while the video is playing. Click the green “Push to talk” button to say something during video playback.
Step 6. Show your screen
You can use Hangouts to share your screen by clicking the "Screenshare" button in the left menu. A new window will open showing all the programs and windows that are currently open. You can share a specific window, or the entire screen.
This can be especially useful when you're trying to resolve a programming problem with someone more experienced or want to share something in another program with everyone present in the conversation
Step 7. Add effects to the video
Click the Google Effects button in the left menu. The Effects window will appear on the right side of the screen, replacing the Chat frame. You can drag effects into the chat video player to add hats, glasses, and other funny effects.
- Click the arrow at the top of the Effects window to change the category.
- To remove all the effects you've added, click the “x Remove all effects” link at the bottom of the Effects menu.
Step 8. Collaborate on the document
You can add Google Drive documents to your Hangout, so all members can collaborate on the same document. To open Google Drive, hover your mouse over the “…” button on the left, then click “Add apps”. In the list of apps that appears, click Google Drive.
- When you click the Google Drive button on the menu, a list of your Google Drive documents will appear. You can select the document you want to share, or create a new notebook/doodle to share.
- When you share a document, you will share your email address. You must provide confirmation before proceeding.
Step 9. Turn off the microphone or camera
If you need to mute your microphone or camera, click the Mute button at the top right of the menu. This button takes the form of a microphone with a scribble. When the microphone is turned off, this icon is red.
To turn off the camera, click the camera icon with a scribble. This icon will turn off your camera feed. People can still hear you if you don't turn off the microphone
Step 10. Adjust internet speed settings
If the video doesn't run smoothly, lower your internet speed setting by clicking the signal icon in the top right menu. This menu will open a slider that you can adjust to adjust the quality of the Hangout. Lowering this slider will lower the video quality, and lowering it to the right will make your Hangout audio only (on your side).
Step 11. Adjust camera and microphone settings
Click the cog icon in the top right menu to open the input settings. A window with your webcam view will appear. Here, you can select the device you will use. This setting is useful if your computer has more than one camera or microphone.
Step 12. Exit the Hangout
When you're done chatting, click the Exit button in the upper-right corner of the window. The exit icon is shaped like a closed phone.
Method 4 of 4: Accessing Hangouts Anywhere
Step 1. Download the Hangout app
Open the Google Play Store on your Android device, or the App Store on your iOS device, and search for Hangouts. This application can be downloaded for free.
Most Android devices come with a Hangout app instead of Google Talk
Step 2. Run the application
When the app is first loaded, you will be asked to sign in with your Google account. Android users can choose the account associated with their device, and iOS users must enter a Google username and password.
When the app opens, you'll see a list of recent Hangouts
Step 3. Swipe left to create a new Hangout
Add a contact from the list or look up the participant's name or phone number.
Tips
- Install the Google Chrome extension if you don't want to open Google+ to access Hangouts. The Hangouts extension is currently only available for Google Chrome. Once the extension is installed, you will see a Hangouts icon on your system bar. Click the icon to open your Hangouts list. You can start a Hangout by clicking on the “+ New Hangout” column.
- To create a Hangout with immutable links for easy access, create a Hangout via Google Calendar. Click the link that says "add video call". Once you add the option and save the selection, the link embedded in the "join video call" will become permanent. You can copy and paste emails into the Notes column on your calendar for easier access.
