Using Google Duo with smartphones & smart displays

Video calling has quickly become one of the more common ways people communicate with each other and there are so many different ways to get this done today, including via Google Duo.

While you’ve previously been able to use Google Home devices to call your friends and family, Google’s Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays have changed the game by adding a built-in display and a camera.

So, here’s your guide to how to get Duo set up.

What is Google Duo?

Google Duo is a video calling app that’s kind of like Google’s old Hangouts feature. It primarily works across iOS and Android devices, so you won’t have friends left out over their choice of smartphone.

One of the more unique features of Google Duo is Knock Knock – when someone calls you, you’ll see a video preview of them fed live from their camera. There’ll be a slight fog about them, but it’s a live look.

If you’re video calling someone because you want to show them something and they don’t pick up, you can also quickly record an instant video message for them.

Of course, if you can’t video call for some reason, you can simply audio call them with instead. All Google Duo calls use end-to-end encryption too, and the only people who can see what’s going on are you and the person you’re chatting with.

Now that we’ve gotten the basics out the way, how do you use the thing?

How to Set Up Google Duo?

The first step is to download the Google Duo app in either Google Play or the App Store. Follow along for what to do after that.

1. Agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.

2. Give access to your microphone, camera and contacts.

3. Confirm access when the pop-up appears.

4. Put in your phone number.

From here, Google will send you a one-time code via text. Type that in and you’re set to go.

Google Duo is one of the big draws of Google’s Nest Hub, which pairs Google Assistant to a display, although only the Nest Hub Max packs a camera for full video calling fun. It’s even easier to set up Google Duo on these devices, but you’ll have to set up and link it to your Google account first. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open up the Google Home app.

2. Click on the Account tab.

3. Scroll down and click More Settings.

4. Tap Services.

5. Choose Voice & Video Calls.

6. Choose Video & Voice Apps.

7. Click Google Duo.

8. Tap Phone Number.

9. You’ll be booted to the Duo app, where you’ll link your accounts.

You can also use Google Assistant to mute the call, unmute the call, turn off the video and even answer or decline a call.

How to Use Google Duo

The Google Duo app’s main page is split into two halves – there’s a view of what you look like up at the top, and then a search bar that’ll let you search through your contacts. Also, if you swipe up to the full camera view, there’s a little toggle that will switch you between video and audio modes.

The interesting thing about the Google Duo app is that you never actually have to type in your Google credentials. You can do so if you want by hitting the vertical three buttons in the top right corner, then looking under Google Account and hitting Add Account.

In the settings menu, you’ll also get the option to delete your Duo account, take a look at your blocked numbers and toggle a bunch of features and Google will let you know when new features are available.

That final feature is a little on the weird side, as Google will recommend times to use Duo. If there are special events going on, or big topics happening in the news, Duo will send you a notification and tell you that something is happening.

Using Google Duo on your Nest Hub Max is even simpler. Once you’ve linked your accounts and devices through Google Home, you can say something like “OK Google, call James” or “OK Google, video call Stephanie”. You can also use Google Assistant to mute or unmute the call, turn off the video or to answer or decline a call.

Be aware, however, that you will need to turn on the appropriate setting for this to all work on a Google Nest Hub device. To do so, do the following:

1. Open up the Google Home app.

2. Click on your smart display.

3. Tap Device Settings.

4. Under More, tap Duo Video Calling.

5. Follow the steps on-screen to link the services.

On a Google Home speaker without a display, this isn’t quite as slick. You can still receive audio calls and make them, but you won’t know who’s calling until you pick up, and you can only do that using the buttons on your Google Home speaker, rather than using Google Assistant.

To make a call, just use the “Hey Google, call [contact name] on Duo” command. You can also call specific speakers in your home from your phone or another Google Home speaker by saying “call living room”, or whatever you’ve named a given space. We’re hoping this functionality gets an update in due course, to bring it up to speed.

With all that done, though, congratulations – you’re ready to Duo.