How to join a video meeting: the easy way (and not-so-easy way) | #customersupport #supporticket

We’re living in a world where “Let’s just jump on a video call,” is one of the most commonly used phrases on any given day.

It’s become how we connect with not only coworkers and clients, but also with friends and family—and for the most part, it’s been pretty good. Video meetings are a great way to connect face-to-face without needing to actually be face-to-face.

But while it might be our best option for talking with anyone we can’t physically be in the same room with, video meetings certainly come with a learning curve.

One of the biggest questions being “How do I join a video meeting in the first place?”

If you’re new to video meetings or you’re looking for an easier way to join a call, here are some simple step-by-step instructions to follow. We’ll show you two ways to join a video meeting (spoiler alert: one’s easier than the other).

• Joining a meeting through an app
• Joining a meeting without having to download anything

How most people have to join a video meeting

Join a meeting through an app

1. Download the app(s)

In the past, joining a video meeting was a hassle. You needed to download a video conferencing app on your computer or phone, taking up precious storage space for something that you don’t even often use.

If you worked with different companies or clients who preferred different video conferencing tools, you might have to download a bunch of different video conferencing apps. The result: a handful of apps downloaded to your computer or phone that you only use once or twice.

This old way of doing things wasn’t terrible, but it made everything just a little more complicated than it really needed to be.

1b (optional). Update the app

If you didn’t realize the app needed to be downloaded before your call—or it needed to be updated before you could join the call—you ended up forcing other participants to either wait for you to get on, or start the meeting with you. 

2. Open the app

Then, of course, you had to open the app to join a meeting.

3. Enter your meeting code

Now, you have to enter your meeting code or find your meeting somehow. Whew, okay. Once you’ve done that, you’re in!

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Further reading: 

Learn more about having more productive meetings in the Guide to Better Meetings.

Dial in to the meeting on your computer or phone

1. Enter the phone number 

Just like you’d call a friend, dial the phone number located in the meeting event or invitation. 

2. Enter the PIN

When you’re prompted, enter the PIN associated with that meeting. Hit # when you’re done. 

Join from a calendar event 

1. Find your calendar event 

Find the event you want to join on your calendar. 

2. Click your meeting link 

Select the RingCentral Video link located in your calendar meeting:

It was a headache and added another unnecessary level of friction in connecting with your team or clients. But thankfully, as video conferencing tools have become more intuitive and user-friendly, there is a new way of joining a video call. 

How to join a video meeting without downloading anything (using RingCentral Video)

RingCentral Video is designed to make meetings more productive and to make it easier to join video calls, no matter how you’re trying to join. 

That’s why with RingCentral Video, you don’t need to download any special apps or tools—you can easily join with a link right in your internet browser:

Here are a few ways you can join a RingCentral Video meeting. 

Join a meeting through your web browser 

If you’re not interested in downloading any apps, joining through a web browser is your best bet. There are two ways you can do this: through an email invite link or through your RingCentral Video account. 

Join a video meeting from your RingCentral Video account: 

1. Log in to RingCentral Video 
2. Click “Join a meeting” 
3. Enter the meeting ID and your name in the space provided, then click “Join.” That’s it!

Join a meeting through an email invite link: 

1. Click the meeting link in your email invite to join instantly (RingCentral integrates with both Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook):
   
   
2. Or copy and paste the invitation link into your web browser:

Get a hands-on look at how RingCentral works by booking a demo:

Schedule a demo

There’s an easier way to join video meetings

See, it’s simple! When you can cut out the old way of doing things, you can spend less time worrying about having the right apps or making sure every tool is up to date. You (and your participants) can join video meetings quickly and easily—without all the extra steps.