Instructions for using the Whiteboard feature in Google Meet

What is Google Meet Whiteboard? How to use GG Whiteboard? Here is the guide for you.

Whiteboards are tools to support teaching, learning and working, helping to present information, take notes and exchange ideas effectively. Google Meet offers users a wealth of built-in tools. The whiteboard feature on Google Meet is a useful tool, making idea generation and visual illustration easier and more effective. This feature works best when you use it on a desktop or laptop, allowing all participants to edit on the whiteboard. However, for mobile users, editing permissions are only available when using an external whiteboard app. This article covers every aspect, from how to set up, use, and share a whiteboard on Google Meet. So, no matter what device you’re using, take advantage of the whiteboard feature to make your online meetings more interactive and interesting.

If people do not know how to use this feature, the following article will share all necessary information, providing Step-by-step instructions and tips for using whiteboards in Google Meet on PC, iPhone and Android devices.

How to use Whiteboard in Google Meet on PC

Google Meet is packed with features, and Jamboard whiteboard is one of the useful tools. Plus, it’s completely free to use, regardless of subscription status.

To use a whiteboard in Google Meet, you need to first start a video call. Follow the steps below for more details:

Step 1: Navigate to Google Meet.

Step 2: Join or start a new meeting.

Step 3: Click the button Work bottom right side of the screen. It’s a button with triangles, squares, and circles on it.

Step 4: Click Whiteboard.

Step 5: Select either option to create a new whiteboard by clicking Start a new whiteboard or load an existing board from Drive when tapped Select from Drive.

The whiteboard will now appear on the home screen. When launching a whiteboard, it’s important for users to understand basic access permissions:

• All participants, as well as people within the same organization, have editing access once the board is shared.
• People who are members of the organization but have not attended the meeting will have editing rights when they are invited in.
• People who join Google Workspace for Education have view-only access by default. To change this, the host needs to give them editing permissions.

To do this, the host needs to do the following:

Step 1: Start a new table.

Step 2: Click three horizontal lines to open the menu.

Step 3: Select Share.

Step 4: Enter the person’s email address and select Send.

Basic whiteboard tools

After starting a Google Meet call and turning on Jamboard, users will see a toolbar at the bottom of the screen that allows interaction with the whiteboard.

People can write or draw on the board by choosing Draw from the toolbar and add different shapes by selecting Drawing support tool in Draw. If you want to add a note, select Insert note from the toolbar.

Insert image by clicking Select image from the toolbar or add an image from Search for images, Search the web, add Stickers or Take pictures from the camera.

Submit the table as PDF

Another useful feature is sending the whiteboard as a PDF after the meeting ends.

• Open Whiteboard.
• Click three horizontal lines to open the menu and select Send a copy.
• Choose between All frames (PDF) or Current frame (PNG).
• Enter the recipient’s email address and click Send.

Users can also share boards from their computer:

Step 1: Open the table you want to send.

Step 2: Click three vertical dots and choose Download as PDF or Save the frame as an image.

Step 3: Send files via Google Mail or another application.

How to use Whiteboard in Google Meet on your phone

Unfortunately, Google Meet whiteboard isn’t available on mobile devices yet. People can use the Jamboard app or the Google Meet app, but need to do so separately.

That’s why it’s best to switch to online meetings on your computer if you really need to use the whiteboard feature and give everyone editing access.

Otherwise, users can use the screen sharing function on their device and use the Jamboard app or any other third-party tool to whiteboard.

The steps below are a guide to using the Microsoft Whiteboard app as it is one of the simplest options to use, or people can use whatever software they find convenient.

Step 1: Download the Microsoft Whiteboard app.

Step 2: Start a group call on the Google Meet app.

Step 3: Click three vertical dots at the bottom right of the screen.

Step 4: Tap an option Screen sharing from the menu.

Step 5: Select Start recording to confirm.

Step 6: From now on, the screen will be shared with everyone in the meeting. Navigate to the home screen and launch the Microsoft Whiteboard app. Everyone in the meeting will be able to see the whiteboard.

Presenters can now jot down their ideas, write notes, or visualize data in Google Meet for everyone to see. Unfortunately, other people won’t be able to edit the file because the presenter is the only one with access.

Save and send Jamboard/Whiteboard as PDF

After the meeting ends, the Jamboard activity can be shared as a PDF file. This can help users recall classroom or seminar discussions. Likewise, saved Jamboards can also help implement random ideas generated after brainstorming. Below is a very simple way to save and send Jamboard/Whiteboard as PDF:

Step 1: Click on the Jamboard you want to download. Jamboard files will show up on the right side of the main Google Meet window.

Step 2: Click three dots at the top to access another action menu.

Step 3: Select Download as PDF from the list of options. Locate the downloaded file in your device’s downloads folder.

Note: Downloaded PDF files can be shared as email attachments. Likewise, people can use any other platform to send saved Jams to students, colleagues, and others.