Google and Microsoft have introduced new two-way assembly room interoperability between Google Meet {hardware} and Microsoft Groups Rooms.
Introduced at ISE 2026, the potential 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 will probably be ON by default and will be disabled on the organisational unit (OU) stage. It additionally notes the brand new performance received’t change present Pexip settings for any OU already configured that manner.
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 by means of 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 revealed steering has described becoming a member of Groups conferences from Meet {hardware} as being out there by way of Pexip Join, slightly than the identical built-in path used for Zoom and Webex.
In different phrases: interoperability existed, however it wasn’t offered as a first-party, two-way room expertise between Google and Microsoft.
The brand new announcement modifications that positioning.
Google: “We didn’t need 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 purchasers who stay 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 suitable manner… we’re actually completely happy concerning the partnership, and we’re actually completely happy concerning the flexibility it offers our prospects collectively,” he mentioned. “We don’t need to rush that have and have a subpar expertise.”
He additionally emphasised coordination between the 2 corporations:
“You don’t need to have one particular person launch… and the opposite particular person a 12 months later. Getting that alignment on the proper timing is actually important.”
He added that Google desires to broaden assist past the preliminary Chrome OS footprint: “At the moment for us proper now, it’s on Chrome OS. We need to increase onto Android as properly.”
The important thing takeaway
Google and Microsoft aren’t attempting to break down two assembly platforms into one. They’re addressing the extra fast enterprise downside: convention rooms that want to affix whichever assembly hyperlink lands on the calendar.
Briefly: 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 lately 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 truth most enterprises face when updating collaboration environments.
“We all know that not each buyer has a dream or greenfield surroundings 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 need to present that flexibility.”
Learn extra from ISE 2026:
