Google Meet Now Supports 1080p Video Calls (for Some of Us)
Webcams, especially those built into computers, weren’t always so good. We prioritized convenience over quality when it came to making video calls on your mobile device. But times have changed: not only can you buy high-quality webcams to connect to your computer, but some of them now come with built-in 1080p quality. Google Meet now supports “Full HD” quality from the previous maximum of 720p if you meet certain requirements.
As stated in the Google ad , you need a webcam that records at least 1080p video. Many external cameras on the market meet this specification, and some even support 4K resolution. However, some laptops now ship with 1080p webcams internally , such as the Lenovo Yoga 9i, the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros, and the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 and 3. My M1 iMac also has a 1080p webcam, so it’s not just laptops. which are beneficial.
But a 1080p webcam isn’t the only requirement to access 1080p calls on Google Meet. Another hurdle is that the call only needs to be with two users. As soon as you join a group call with three or more participants, 720p resolution is returned for you. In addition, the connection must support a 1080p video stream: if this is not possible, Google Meet will lower the resolution.
But the biggest hurdle may be who actually has access to this feature. Google is currently making 1080p video calls available only to select Workspace plans, and to Google One subscribers with a 2TB or more cloud storage subscription. Google has indicated that the following Workspace plans are compatible: Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline clients.
The company also listed which plans are incompatible , including Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Nonprofits, and G Suite Basic and Business plans. It is also not available for personal Google accounts. It’s a bummer if your company isn’t enrolled in one of the supported Workspace plans, or if you’re not subscribed to the most expensive Google One tier.
How to Change Video Quality to 1080p in Google Meet
If you meet all the requirements, start a Google Meet call, then tap the three dots and select Settings. In the “Video” section, you will find “Submit permission”. As long as your account and device are compatible, you’ll see a new “Full High Definition (1080p)” option here.