Google

Hangouts
(for dummies)
DOMINIC CUSHNAN
@domcushnan
Google
Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a communication platform developed
by Google which includes instant messaging, video chat,
SMS and VOIP features.

It replaces three messaging products that Google had

implemented concurrently within its services, including
Google Talk, Google+ Messenger (formerly: Huddle), and
Hangouts, a video chat system present within Google+.

Before you’re able to use Google Hangouts, you need to

setup a Google account first.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Hangouts
 What you
can do with
Google
Hangouts
What you can do with Google Hangouts

▣ Send Hangouts messages: You can start a Hangout with only one
person or have a group chat with several people.
▣ Make video calls: You can have face-to-face video calls with up to 9
other people.
▣ Make phone calls: Almost all calls you make to the U.S. and Canada
are free from all countries where Hangouts calling is available. A
few U.S. and Canadian destinations will cost 1 cent per minute
(USD), or the listed rate for your local currency. Calling isn't
available to all locations.
▣ Send text messages: You can send text messages using Hangouts
with your Android device or your Google Voice phone number.
▣ Share photos, locations, and stickers: You can share photos,
stickers, and emoji in conversations. On mobile devices, you can
also share your location with other people.
What you can do with Google Hangouts

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2-tsGelk4U
 Setting up a
Google
account with
a non-Gmail
address
Setting up a Google account with a
non-Gmail address

For users who don't need Gmail, Google provides

a special page which you can use to sign up.

The following link create a Google account

without Gmail:

https://accounts.google.com/SignUpWithoutGmail
Setting up a Google account with a
non-Gmail address
Setting up a Google account with a
non-Gmail address

Fill-up the required fields, then verify your email

address.

After successfully verifying your email address,

you can now access Google Hangouts.
 Starting a
Hangout
conversation
or video call
Starting a Hangout conversation or
video call

1. Open Hangouts at https://hangouts.google.com/

2. In the search box, type a name, phone number, or email address.
When you find the person you want, click their name.

To start a group video call, for each person in your group, type their
name and check the box in front of their name.
3. Choose the type of Hangout you want to start:
▣ Chat message
▣ Video call
▣ Phone call
▣ Text message

Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts
Starting a Hangout conversation or
video call

Chat message
Type your message into the textbox, and press the return key on your keyboard.

Video call
Click the video icon .

Phone call
Click the call icon .

Text message
You can send a text message if you have a Google Voice account and
have turned on text messages in Hangouts.
1. Click the SMS icon .
2. Type your message and press the return key on your keyboard.
Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts
 Joining
a Hangouts
video call
Joining a Hangouts video call

You can join a live Hangouts video call via an

invitation. Invitation can be:
▣ a shared link
▣ an invitation email

Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts
 Inviting
participants
to a Hangouts
video call
Inviting participants to a Hangouts
video call

You can connect with family, friends, or coworkers through face-to-

face video calls. You can chat with up to 9 other people in a Hangouts
video call.
▣ Start a video call
1. Open Hangouts at https://hangouts.google.com/
2. Select a person from the Hangouts list or search for their name or
email address. When you find the person you want, click their name.
3. Click the video icon.

Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts
Inviting participants to a Hangouts
video call

Anyone in the Hangout can add more people after the video call
starts, and anyone with a Google Account can join a video call. To
invite:
▣ Share your video call link
1. At the top of the video call window,
click the invite people icon.

2. Copy the link provided.

3. Paste the link in an email, chat window, or anywhere else that you
want to share the video call information.

Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts
Inviting participants to a Hangouts
video call

Anyone in the Hangout can add more people after the video call
starts, and anyone with a Google Account can join a video call. To
invite:
▣ Invite people using email address
1. At the top of the video call window,
click the invite people icon.

2. Type someone’s name or email address.

3. Click Invite.

Source: https://support.google.com/hangouts