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How to Use the Whiteboard in Google Meet

Google Meet has a built-in whiteboard so your team can sketch ideas together without leaving the call.

  1. Open the Activities menu

    Click the Activities icon at the bottom of your Meet call and choose Whiteboard from the list.

  2. Start a new whiteboard

    Click Start a new whiteboard to create a board dedicated to this call; it saves automatically to Google Drive.

  3. Draw, add notes, and insert shapes

    Use the toolbar to draw freehand, add a text-based sticky note, or insert basic shapes like rectangles and circles.

  4. Invite participants to co-edit in real time

    Anyone who opens Whiteboard from the same Activities menu sees the same board already listed, and multiple people can draw or add notes to it at once.

  5. Insert images for reference

    Use the toolbar's image tool to drop a saved photo or screenshot directly onto the board.

  6. Reopen it after the meeting ends

    The whiteboard doesn't disappear when the call ends β€” it stays saved in the host's Google Drive so you can reopen and keep working on it later.

Why draw directly inside your video call

A built-in whiteboard means nobody needs to install a separate app or juggle a second window just to sketch an idea during a discussion β€” everyone stays in the same call view while contributing to the same board, which keeps momentum during brainstorming or planning sessions.

Limitations worth knowing before you rely on it

The Meet whiteboard currently isn't supported on mobile devices, so plan to use it from a laptop or desktop if you'll need to draw during the call. It's also tied to whichever Google account started the board, so make sure that person's Drive is one your team can access if you'll need the file after the meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can everyone on the call see and edit the whiteboard?

Yes β€” anyone who opens Whiteboard from the Activities menu during the same call sees the shared board and can add to it in real time.

Can I use the Google Meet whiteboard from my phone?

Not currently β€” the whiteboard feature is only supported on laptop and desktop browsers, so join from a computer if you plan to use it.