How to Enable “Waiting Rooms” in Google Meet (Turn Off Quick Access)

Set up Quick Access controls at the admin level to ensure attendees wait for host approval before joining.

In Google Meet, the waiting room feature is controlled through Host Controls → Quick access.

• When Quick access = ON: participants can join directly without approval.

• When Quick access = OFF: all participants must request to join and the host must approve entry, this creates a waiting room effect.

Follow the steps below to enforce waiting rooms at the organisation level via the Google Admin Console.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open the Google Admin Console

   • Go to admin.google.com.

   • Sign in with your Google Workspace Admin account.

2. Navigate to Google Meet Settings

   • From the Admin Console home page, select:
     Apps → Google Workspace → Google Meet.

3. Open Safety Settings

   • On the right panel, find Meet Safety Settings.

   • Click the arrow to Edit.

   • 

4. Edit Waiting Room Settings

   • Scroll down to the Waiting Room section.

   • Hover over the section and select the pencil icon (Edit).

     

5. Configure the Options

   • ✅ Check the box for Waiting Room.

   • ❌ Make sure the box for Bring in automatically is not checked.

6. Save Your Changes

   • Select the Save button to apply.

What Happens Next

• With this configuration, all new meetings will require participants to wait until admitted by the host.

• Participants can’t join automatically — even if they have the meeting link.

• Hosts and co-hosts remain in control of approving who enters.