Google Meet finally solves the major audio problem when sharing screens

For years, one of the most common complaints in online meetings was that Google Meet fell short when it came to handling audio. When someone shared their screen, anyone trying to show a video, a music app, or any program with sound other than the browser ended up struggling with cables, strange tricks, or third-party solutions.

With a new update, Google has decided to tackle this problem and give Meet a feature that many already considered essential: Share the full system audio when presenting a window or the entire screen.without limiting it to a specific Chrome tab. A change that may seem small on paper, but in the day-to-day running of work, classes, and hybrid meetings, it will make quite a difference.

Goodbye to the audio limit per tab in Google Meet

Until now, when someone presented content in Meet, they encountered a rather rigid situation: You could only share the audio from the Chrome tab that was being displayedIf the sound came from another application, such as a video player, editing tool, or training program installed on the computer, the other participants simply did not hear it.

This limitation forced them to perform juggling acts. There were those who I uploaded a video to the cloud just so I could play it from Chrome.Some resorted to audio routing programs like Loopback or VoiceMeeter, while others simply resigned themselves to showing the video and explaining verbally what others couldn't hear. Not exactly ideal for a professional meeting, a sales demonstration, or a remote class.

With the new feature, Google Meet It includes a specific switch when the screen is shared: “Also share system audio”When activated, all call attendees hear everything played by the presenter's computer, regardless of the source app.

This change brings Meet in line with other platforms that already allowed sharing team audio, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and It reduces dependence on external tools and complex configurations. for something as basic as displaying a video with its integrated audio.

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How the new system audio sharing works

It works quite simply and doesn't require too many extra steps. Once you're in a meeting, The user must click on Present (or Share Screen) and choose whether to show a specific window or the entire screenAt that point, the new option to include the device's sound appears.

On computers with Windows 11 or macOS 14, and using Google Chrome 142 or laterThe "Also share system audio" switch (or equivalent, depending on the language) appears. If activated, The other attendees will hear anything that comes out of the system's virtual speakers.: from a browser other than Meet's to a local media player, including small applications with sound effects.

The classic option of “Also share the audio from the tab” It's still available when opening a Chrome tab, but it's no longer the only way. This combination It allows you to choose between sharing only the browser's sound or the sound of the entire computer., depending on the type of presentation.

To achieve better results, It is recommended to set the audio output in Meet to the system's default device and use headphones to reduce echoes and feedback.Especially in open-plan offices or classrooms, this practical detail often makes a difference in sound clarity.

In the case of macOS, the first time you activate this feature, a notification may appear requesting permission to capture system audio. This is important. Grant those permissions in System Settings so that Meet can properly capture sound from the device.

Why this audio improvement matters so much in everyday life

In many online meetings, the video usually works reasonably well, but the The weak point is almost always the audio.Awkward silences, videos that no one can hear, presentations with echo, or improvised solutions with a mobile phone glued to the computer speaker are all part of the "classic" experience of any hybrid work or education environment.

Google acknowledges that The ability to easily share system audio was one of the most requested features. by Meet users. And for good reason: it simplifies the technical setup in meeting rooms, reduces the number of programs to configure, and brings the experience closer to what people expect from a modern videoconferencing tool.

In sales contexts, product demonstrations, or internal training, it's common to combine several applications: a CRM, a design tool, an instructional video, perhaps some interactive content. With the new system, You can switch between different windows and continue sharing the same audio streamwithout needing to upload materials to the web or fit everything into a single Chrome tab.

This also aligns with the rise of hybrid work. Recent studies indicate that a significant portion of those who can work remotely do so in mixed formats, alternating between the office and home. In this context, The fewer technical "fixes" that need to be done during a call, the better. for productivity and the image conveyed to the other side.

In educational settings, both in universities and in corporate training, being able to play a video in its native player, show a specific application with its audio, or launch practical examples with sound becomes much more natural with this improvement to Meet.

Technical requirements and compatibility of the new feature

The ability to share system audio is not available on all devices. Google has limited the feature to Windows 11 and macOS 14 (or later versions)and also requires the use of Google Chrome version 142 or higher as a browser.

These requirements imply that, at least for now, users with older operating systems or other browsers They might not see the option to share system audio, or they might still rely on the old tab-with-sound method. Therefore, it's highly advisable to check the technical environment before an important presentation.

Google has also warned that adaptive audio settingsDevices that combine multiple microphones and speakers in a single device may have limitations. In these cases, the feature may only allow audio sharing from Chrome tabs, at least until broader integration is available.

In the corporate sphere, the company is rolling out the new feature. first in Google Workspace domains with rapid launch and on personal accounts, with wider availability to follow. Some businesses may see the feature activated sooner than others, depending on the administrator's settings.

Google has set the beginning of 2026 as the target for more widespread availability, pointing to dates such as mid-January so that most Workspace users can begin to gain access. However, the exact rollout may vary between organizations and regions, so it's best to check directly with each account.

Practical steps to share device audio in a meeting

The procedure for taking advantage of this new feature is simple, but it includes some nuances worth noting. The first thing is Start or join a Google Meet meeting from a compatible computer and with the appropriate version of Chrome.

Once inside, the presenter must select the Present (or Share Screen) option and choose whether to show a specific window, the entire screen, or a Chrome tab. The toggle switch is now included in the dialog box that appears. “Also share system audio” when window or full screen is selected.

It is important to remember that This option is not permanently enabledGoogle keeps it disabled by default, so the user has to manually enable it each time they present. This prevents the accidental sharing of sound that wasn't intended to be broadcast in a meeting.

If you choose to display only one Chrome tab, the interface shows the traditional alternative: “Also share the audio from this tab”Both options —tab audio or system audio— allow you to adjust the scope of shared sound according to the needs of each session.

In terms of volume level, Meet relies on the operating system controls and each application's controlsIf attendees report that the audio is too low or too loud, the solution involves adjusting the system's sound mixer, the volumes of the apps involved, or, if applicable, any virtual audio mixer or device being used.

Tips to avoid surprises when sharing system audio

Sharing all of your computer's sound has many advantages, but it can also expose more than you'd like if certain precautions aren't taken. When system audio is enabled, You hear notifications, chat alerts, email sounds, or system alerts.unless they are previously deactivated or silenced.

Before starting a presentation with audio from the device, it is advisable to activate some mode of Do not bother In the operating system, close applications that make unexpected sounds and check which programs are running in the background. These are small steps that prevent annoying interruptions or the sharing of unwanted information.

Another point to consider is echo. If there are multiple microphones in the same room, or the presenter is using speakers instead of headphones, the shared sound is likely to feed back. headphones or earphones with microphone This is usually enough to eliminate that effect and make the experience much cleaner for those who listen.

In training sessions or webinars, it can be helpful to prepare an opening slide reminding attendees to check their own volume and sound settings. This reduces the typical "false alarm" where someone can't hear anything because they have the muted volume on your devicewhile the rest receive the audio without problems.

Finally, those working with more advanced setups—physical mixers, external sound cards, or virtual devices—should ensure that The default system output is what they really want to share. in Meet. A quick test with a colleague before an important session can prevent unpleasant surprises.

With this step, Google Meet eliminates one of its most criticized shortcomings and puts itself on par with other videoconferencing solutions in terms of audio sharing during presentationsFor companies, educational centers and individual users in Spain and the rest of Europe who depend on online meetings daily, the arrival of the system's full audio means fewer technical complications, fewer last-minute fixes and an experience much closer to what has always been expected from a tool designed for people to hear each other without complications.

Alberto navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.