Google Meet PWA: Keep Links in the Right Window

Yes, you can make Google Meet links open in the right PWA window by setting the PWA as your default handler for meet.google.com links, or by using the PWA’s built-in “Open as window” feature. This article explains how to control where Meet links open, why they sometimes open in the wrong window, and how to fix it on Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS.

What Is a PWA and Why Does It Matter?

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are websites that can be installed on your device like native apps. Google Meet offers a PWA that you can install from Chrome, Edge, or other Chromium-based browsers. When installed, Meet runs in its own window, separate from your browser tabs, giving you a more app-like experience with features like a dedicated taskbar icon, better notifications, and the ability to open links directly in that window.

The main benefit is that the PWA window is isolated from your regular browsing session. This means you can keep your Meet call open while you browse other sites in a separate window, without accidentally closing the call or losing your place. However, this isolation also means that links to Meet meetings might open in the wrong place—either in a regular browser tab or in a different PWA window—if the system isn’t configured correctly.

How Google Meet Links Are Handled by Default

When you click a link to a Google Meet meeting (e.g., meet.google.com/abc-defg-hij), your operating system decides which app should open it. By default, the OS may hand it to your default browser, which could be Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. If you have the Meet PWA installed, the browser may or may not route the link to the PWA, depending on the browser’s settings and the PWA’s registration.

In Chrome, if you have the Meet PWA installed, clicking a meet.google.com link in a regular tab usually opens it in a new tab, not in the PWA. This is because the PWA is treated as a separate app, and the browser does not automatically redirect links to it. However, you can change this behavior by setting the PWA as the default handler for the meet.google.com domain.

How to Make Meet Links Open in the PWA Window

Here are the steps to ensure that Meet links open in your PWA window on Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS.

On Windows and Mac (Chrome or Edge)

1. Install the Meet PWA if you haven’t already. Open meet.google.com in Chrome, click the install icon in the address bar (or the three-dot menu > “Install Google Meet”), and follow the prompts.
2. Set the PWA as the default handler for meet.google.com links. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Permissions > Additional permissions > Protocol handlers. Look for “meet.google.com” and click the three-dot menu next to it, then select “Edit”. Choose “Google Meet” from the list of handlers and save. In Edge, go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Protocol handlers, and do the same.
3. Alternatively, use the PWA’s “Open as window” feature. When you click a Meet link, Chrome may show a small popup at the top of the address bar asking if you want to open it in the app. Click “Open” to launch the PWA. If you don’t see this, you can right-click the link and select “Open in Google Meet” (if available).

On ChromeOS

1. Install the Meet PWA from the Chrome Web Store or from meet.google.com.
2. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage your apps, find Google Meet, and click the three-dot menu. Select “Open links in this app” to make it the default for meet.google.com links.

After these steps, clicking a Meet link should open the meeting in your PWA window, not in a regular browser tab.

Why Links Sometimes Open in the Wrong Window

Even after setting the default handler, you might still see links open in a regular tab. This can happen due to several reasons:

• The link is not a standard meet.google.com URL but a custom domain (e.g., your company’s Meet URL).
• You have multiple browsers installed, and the link is being handled by a browser that doesn’t have the PWA installed.
• The PWA was installed in a different browser profile, and the link is being opened in a profile where the PWA isn’t installed.
• You clicked a link from an external app (like an email client) that forces the default browser, bypassing the protocol handler.

To fix these, ensure the PWA is installed in the same browser profile you use for your links, and check that the default handler is set correctly in that browser.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Here are some frequent issues and how to resolve them:

• Link opens in a new tab instead of the PWA. Re-check your protocol handler settings. If it’s already set, try removing and re-adding the handler.
• The PWA window doesn’t appear when clicking a link. Make sure the PWA is not already running with the same meeting open. If it is, the link might just focus the existing window.
• Links from email clients open in the wrong browser. In your email client, you can copy the link and paste it into the PWA’s address bar, or set your default browser to the one with the PWA installed.
• The PWA is not installed. If you don’t see the install icon, you may need to enable PWAs in your browser settings (they are usually on by default).

Comparisons: PWA vs. Regular Browser Tab

Using the PWA window has several advantages over a regular tab:

• Focus: The PWA window is separate, so you’re less likely to accidentally close the meeting when browsing other tabs.
• Screen sharing: When sharing your screen, you can share the PWA window specifically, without showing your other tabs.
• Notifications: The PWA can show desktop notifications even when the window is not focused.
• Taskbar presence: The PWA has its own taskbar icon, making it easier to find and switch to.

However, a regular tab is fine if you don’t mind the clutter and prefer to keep everything in one window.

Alternatives to the PWA

If you don’t want to use the PWA, you can still control where Meet links open:

• Use Chrome’s “Open as window” feature: In Chrome, you can right-click a tab and select “Move tab to new window” to create a separate window for Meet.
• Use a bookmark: Create a bookmark to meet.google.com and drag it to your taskbar or desktop. This opens a regular browser window, not a PWA.
• Use the Meet desktop app (if available): Google has a standalone Meet app for some platforms, but it’s essentially the PWA packaged differently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Meet link open in a new tab instead of the PWA?

This usually happens because the PWA is not set as the default handler for meet.google.com links. Go to your browser’s protocol handler settings and set the PWA as the default. Also, ensure the PWA is installed in the same browser profile you’re using.

Can I make all Meet links open in the PWA, even from external apps?

Yes, if you set the PWA as the default handler and also set your default browser to the one with the PWA installed. External apps typically use the default browser to open links, so if that browser routes to the PWA, it will work.

Does this work on Mac with Safari?

Safari does not support PWAs in the same way Chrome and Edge do. You would need to use Chrome or Edge to install the Meet PWA and set the handler. Safari itself does not have a PWA feature for Meet.

What if I have multiple Google accounts?

The PWA uses the account you’re signed into in the browser profile. If you need to use a different account, you may need to open the PWA and switch accounts manually, or install the PWA in a separate profile for that account.

Is there a way to force a link to open in the PWA without changing settings?

Yes, you can right-click the link and select “Open in Google Meet” if the browser offers that option. Alternatively, copy the link and paste it into the PWA’s address bar.

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