Google Meet is an unofficial open-source Electron desktop client that provides dedicated access to Google's video meeting service, including calls, screen sharing, presentation annotation, and global microphone and camera shortcuts.
Google Meet is an unofficial Electron-based desktop application that places Google's browser-based video meeting service inside a dedicated desktop window. It is intended for users who prefer launching meetings as a separate application instead of keeping a conferencing tab mixed with ordinary browser activity. The client retains the underlying meeting workflow while adding desktop-oriented controls developed specifically for this project. Presenters can annotate shared content, and global keyboard shortcuts provide faster access to microphone and camera controls. The project is open source under the MIT License, allowing its code to be reviewed or modified. Version 1.2.0 remains the latest release published in the project's GitHub repository.
The desktop client is built with Electron and depends on the online meeting service for conferencing rather than providing its own independent communications platform. Its repository documents global shortcuts for toggling the microphone and camera, plus a presenter annotation tool that can draw over shared content. Audio sharing for application windows was temporarily disabled by the developer because of an audio-loop issue, so users should not assume every browser capability behaves identically in this wrapper. Users checking unrelated PC storage performance can use CrystalDiskMark separately when diagnosing drive speed before large recordings or file transfers. Google Meet version 1.2.0 is distributed through the project's GitHub releases as a Windows executable.
The main benefit of Google Meet in this desktop form is keeping video meetings in a dedicated application window while adding a few controls that are not part of a basic browser-tab workflow. Users can launch the client separately from everyday browsing, reducing tab clutter during classes, team calls, presentations, or remote discussions. Global microphone and camera shortcuts provide faster control when the application is not the active window, while presenter annotation can make screen-sharing sessions more useful for demonstrations, explanations, and visual feedback. The open-source MIT-licensed code also gives technically experienced users the option to inspect how the Electron wrapper works or build it from source. A standalone Windows installer simplifies deployment for users who want this particular client without configuring a development environment. Because the project is unofficial and its latest published release dates from 2020, users should also consider compatibility, maintenance status, and current service behavior before relying on it for important meetings.
Google Meet runs the conferencing service inside a standalone Electron application instead of requiring users to keep a meeting open among ordinary browser tabs. This dedicated-window approach can make active calls easier to locate during multitasking and provides a desktop-style entry point for users who prefer separating meetings from general web browsing.
Presenters can draw or annotate on the screen while sharing content, giving them a visual way to highlight specific areas during explanations or demonstrations. This capability can be useful for remote teaching, software walkthroughs, design discussions, and troubleshooting sessions where pointing to an exact location communicates information more clearly than verbal directions alone.
The client provides a global keyboard shortcut for toggling microphone mute and unmute without requiring users to navigate back to the main meeting window first. This control is useful while referencing another application, presenting content, or taking notes because microphone status can be changed quickly without interrupting the current desktop workflow.
A separate global keyboard shortcut toggles the camera on or off from outside the active application window. Users working in documents, demonstrations, or other programs can therefore change their video state without first bringing the meeting window to the foreground, reducing extra switching during calls and screen-based presentations.
The desktop wrapper supports the underlying meeting service's screen-sharing workflow and adds its presenter annotation capability on top of shared content. This combination helps users demonstrate applications, documents, or other desktop material while visually emphasizing important areas. The repository notes that application-window audio sharing was temporarily disabled because of an audio-loop problem.
The application is built with Electron, packaging the web-based meeting experience as desktop software rather than implementing a separate conferencing network. This design allows the project to provide desktop-window behavior and keyboard integration while relying on the existing online service for meeting functionality, account handling, and communication between participants.
The project publishes its source code on GitHub under the MIT License, allowing developers to inspect, modify, or build the application themselves under the license terms. The repository includes the project files and build instructions, making the implementation accessible to users who want to understand or customize the desktop wrapper.
Version 1.2.0 is available as a standalone Windows executable from the project's GitHub release assets. This installer provides a direct route to the packaged desktop application without requiring users to install Node.js or manually build the source. Development tools are only necessary for users who choose to compile or modify the project themselves.
No. The GitHub project explicitly describes itself as an unofficial desktop application for Google's meeting service. It was created by Arjun Ganesan and is not the official desktop application distributed by Google.
Version 1.2.0 is the latest release shown in the project's GitHub repository. It was released on May 9, 2020 and is marked as a pre-release on GitHub.
Yes. The project documents a global shortcut for toggling microphone mute and unmute, allowing the control to work without first focusing the main meeting window.
Yes. The repository lists presenter drawing and annotation while sharing the screen as a feature, which can help emphasize specific areas during demonstrations and explanations.
Yes. The project is published on GitHub under the MIT License, and its source code can be reviewed or built locally using the project's documented development workflow.
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