Google and Microsoft have introduced new two-way assembly room interoperability between Google Meet {hardware} and Microsoft Groups Rooms.
Introduced at ISE 2026, the aptitude means customers can be a part of Microsoft Groups conferences from Chrome OS-based Google Meet {hardware} and be a part of Google Meet conferences from Home windows-based Microsoft Groups Rooms gadgets.
Meet and Groups interoperability: What’s launching?
At launch, interoperability will solely be out there on Chrome OS-based Google Meet Rooms and Home windows-based Microsoft Groups Rooms.
Google additionally says the function shall be ON by default and will be disabled on the organisational unit (OU) degree. It additionally notes the brand new performance received’t change present Pexip settings for any OU already configured that means.
On rollout timing, Google says:
Admin console visibility: Full rollout in 1–3 days beginning February 3, 2026
Finish-user visibility: Gradual rollout (as much as 15 days) beginning February 16, 2026
Meet {hardware} already joined Zoom and Webex, however Groups was totally different
Google Meet {hardware} has supported becoming a member of Cisco Webex and Zoom conferences via built-in interoperability for a while, enabled by default and manageable by way of the Admin console.
Traditionally, Groups has sat in a separate class for Meet {hardware}. Google’s printed steering has described becoming a member of Groups conferences from Meet {hardware} as being out there by way of Pexip Join, fairly than the identical built-in path used for Zoom and Webex.
In different phrases: interoperability existed, but it surely wasn’t introduced as a first-party, two-way room expertise between Google and Microsoft.
The brand new announcement adjustments that positioning.
Google: “We didn’t wish to rush… and have a subpar expertise”
UC At the moment spoke with Quentin Esterhuizen, product lead at Google Meet, at ISE 2026, who described the transfer as a key milestone for patrons who reside throughout each ecosystems.
“We’ve acquired two huge bulletins… one is our ultimate interoperability with Groups. That’s been a very long time coming.”
To that delay, Esterhuizen pointed to the realities of cross-vendor work: aligning product roadmaps, agreements and, crucially, person expertise.
“It takes time to construct this the best means… we’re actually completely satisfied concerning the partnership, and we’re actually completely satisfied concerning the flexibility it offers our clients collectively,” he stated. “We don’t wish to rush that have and have a subpar expertise.”
He additionally emphasised coordination between the 2 firms:
“You don’t wish to have one individual launch… and the opposite individual a yr later. Getting that alignment on the proper timing is de facto essential.”
He added that Google desires to broaden help past the preliminary Chrome OS footprint: “At the moment for us proper now, it’s on Chrome OS. We wish to broaden onto Android as effectively.”
The important thing takeaway
Google and Microsoft aren’t attempting to break down two assembly platforms into one. They’re addressing the extra instant enterprise drawback: convention rooms that want to affix whichever assembly hyperlink lands on the calendar.
In brief: Chrome OS-based Meet Rooms can be a part of Groups conferences; Home windows Groups Rooms can be a part of Meet conferences; it’s on by default; and it rolls out throughout February.
Additionally at ISE 2026: Google expands Meet {hardware} selection with Neat
Interoperability wasn’t Google’s solely Meet headline in Barcelona. The corporate not too long ago expanded its partnership with Neat, as Google continues to construct out its Meet {hardware} ecosystem.
Whereas discussing the theme of flexibility, central to each the Groups interoperability launch and Google’s broader room technique, Esterhuizen described the fact most enterprises face when updating collaboration environments.
“We all know that not each buyer has a dream or greenfield atmosphere the place they’ll begin from scratch. They may probably have one thing already, and having the ability to transition makes that a lot simpler for us… we wish to present that flexibility.”
Learn extra from ISE 2026:
