Introduction

In this blog, you will know about why and how to disable Companion Mode in Google Meet. In virtual classrooms it is essential to maintain a controlled and focused environment. Companion mode allows participants to join meeting through any other devices. This feature is useful but cause confusion and distractions during online learning. By disabling companion mode, teachers can ensure students only use one device to participate in the meeting.

For example: Students could join from multiple devices, leading to potential audio or video feedback loops, or use the second device for off-task activities.

What is Companion Mode

Companion Mode is a feature in Google Meet that allows participants to join the same meeting using their own device like laptop, tablet or phone without causing audio feedback or echo. It is mainly designed for hybrid meetings, where some people are in a conference room and others are joining remotely.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes Use Companion mode in Google Docs
xFanatical Safe Doc removes Use Companion mode in Google Docs

Why Turn Off the Companion Mode in Google Meet for Education

Students use Companion Mode to join meetings from multiple devices, which causes distractions. This disrupts the learning process of other participants as well. Sometimes using multiple devices for a single meeting may result in technical issues and make meeting frustrating for both participants and teachers.

Let’s understand the scenario through a user story:

  • Problem: Teacher Johnson, a middle school teacher, noticed that some students were using Companion Mode in Google Meet during virtual lessons which was leading to distractions. Students in the same room would join the meeting on multiple devices and used one device to check social media while leaving their other device connected to the class.
  • Solution: To stop this, teacher Johnson decided block Companion Mode in Google Meet. Teacher implemented Safe Doc policy to prevent students from joining by companion mode.
  • Result: After implementing the policy, teacher Johnson noticed a significant improvement in classroom focus and participation. Students were no longer joining by multiple devices and the meeting environment became more stable with fewer technical issues.

Introduction to xFanatical Safe Doc

xFanatical Safe Doc is a browser extension which provides various policies for administrators to control and safeguard students learning environment. Safe Doc offers polices to manage Google Workspace app efficiently to support digital learning.

Hide the Companion Mode in Google Meet with xFanatical Safe Doc

Google Meet providing Companion Mode to support meeting on multiple devices. but this enables students to join from other devices to play games or surf social media. To stop this behavior, Safe Doc offers BlockMeetCompanionMode policy to hide Companion Mode option while joining the Google Meet.

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Use companion mode in Google Meet

 xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Use companion mode in Google Meet

How to Turn off the Companion Mode in Google Meet using xFanatical Safe Doc

Step 1: Install Safe Doc: 
Initial step is to install Safe Doc in your Google Workspace environment.

Step 2: Configure Safe Doc settings: 
Next, configure Safe Doc settings to block the companion mode in Google Meet.

Step 3: Access Google Admin Console: 
Now, Go to the Google Admin Console and click on Devices > Chrome >Apps & Extensions > Users & Browsers.

Step 4: Review the Policy: 
Find the policy that you wish to apply and if not found add it as shown below. 

"BlockMeetCompanionMode": {
  "Value": true
}

Step 5: Save the Policy: 
Finally, after applying the policy, click the Save.

How to configure Safe Doc?

Once after you install Safe Doc, check with the deployment of Safe Doc on your students' Chrome browsers and review the xFanatical Safe Doc Configuration for detailed instructions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, blocking Companion Mode is essential step to maintain a secure and focused classroom. It stops students from joining the meeting with other devices and cause distractions. This prioritize only primary device is used to join the meeting for organized environment.

With xFanatical Safe Doc, schools can easily enforce this setting, creating a streamlined and engaging virtual learning environment.

Learn more about how xFanatical Safe Doc enhances online safety on our website xFanatical Safe Doc and install xFanatical Safe Doc to get 30 days free trial.

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