Google has officially pulled the plug on its original Meet app, marking the end of an era for the video conferencing tool that began as Hangouts Meet. This move completes a transition that started over two years ago, streamlining Google's communication offerings and consolidating its user base onto a single platform.
The End of an Era
The original Google Meet app, which rebranded from Hangouts Meet in April 2020, has ceased to function on both Android and iOS devices. Users attempting to join video conferences through the old app are now greeted with an error message, directing them to download the new Meet app to continue using the service.
A Tale of Two Meets
Google's communication app strategy has been somewhat convoluted in recent years:
- The original Meet app evolved from Hangouts Meet
- In 2022, Google rebranded its Duo app as Meet
- To differentiate, the older app was labeled as Meet (original)
- Google focused development on the newer Meet (formerly Duo) due to its larger user base
The Transition
Google has been preparing users for this change for over two years, providing ample time for adaptation. The company has now taken decisive steps to complete the transition:
- Removed the Meet (original) app from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store
- Implemented error messages in the old app directing users to the new version
- Focused on enhancing features in the new Meet app, such as reactions and direct calling
By the Numbers
The decision to retire the original Meet app appears to be driven by user adoption:
- New Meet app: Over 5 billion downloads
- Original Meet app: Approximately 500 million downloads
What This Means for Users
If you're still using the original Meet app, here's what you need to know:
- The app will no longer function for video conferencing
- You'll need to download the new Google Meet app to continue using the service
- The new app offers additional features like reactions and direct calling to other Meet users
Looking Ahead
This consolidation allows Google to focus its resources on improving a single Meet platform, potentially leading to a more robust and feature-rich video conferencing experience for users. As the dust settles on this transition, it will be interesting to see how Google continues to evolve its communication tools in an increasingly competitive market.