1. Google
Hangouts
User Guide
Kaitlyn Reish, High Point University

2. Getting Started

3. Setting up a Google+ Account
*Note: If you already have a Google+
account, you can skip to the “Start a
Hangout” portion of this user guide.
Begin by visiting http://plus.google.com. If
you are not logged in to your Google
account you will be prompted to do so. If
you do not have a Google (Gmail)
account, you will have to create one. This is
a free email account.

4. Setting up a Google+ Account
Next you will be prompted to find others you
know on Google+. Click Continue. Don't
worry, this can be done at a later time.

5. Setting up a Google+ Account
You will also be prompted to following things
you love. Click Continue and Continue
Anyways. Don't worry, this can be done at a
later time.

6. Setting up a Google+ Account
Add additional
information. Be sure
to also add a profile
picture. This will not
only be visible in a
Hangout but also in
Google Docs when
sharing documents
with other staff and
students. When
finished entering all
required
information, click
the Finish button in
the lower-right
corner.

7. Setting up a Google+ Account
You have now successfully
created your Google+ profile
and can start hanging out!

8. Start a Hangout

9. Starting a New Hangout
From your Google+ home page
(https://plus.google.com/) click the Hangouts
button located on the right side of the screen.

10. Starting a New Hangout
The Hangouts sidebar will open
on the right side of the screen.
After you have participated in
some Hangouts, a Hangout
history will be displayed in this
sidebar.

11. Starting a New Hangout
Click New Hangout to start a new hangout. Begin
typing in the Google addresses of the individuals
you wish to invite to the Hangout. As you type
each address, the participant's picture will appear.
Click the check box next to their name to add
them to the list of invitees.
After you have invited
everyone to your Hangout,
click either the speech
bubble icon ( to have a
text based Hangout) or
click the video camera
icon (to have a video call).

12. Starting a New Hangout:
Another Option
Another way to start a Hangout is to install the
Hangout extension for Google Chrome. Once
installed, you will see the extension appear in the
upper right corner of Google Chrome. The
Hangout extension looks like a green speech
bubble.
When you click on the extension, it will open
Hangouts in a small window in the bottom-right
corner of your screen. This will show you any
previous hangouts you have participated in as well
as your current Google+ contacts. A contact that
has a green line underneath their profile picture
denotes that that contact is currently online. You
can use the Hangouts extension to access
Hangouts without having to move from the web
site you're currently on.

13. Joining a Hangout

14. Joining a Hangout
When invited to a
Hangout and you have
the extension installed,
the Hangout window will
automatically appear in
the bottom-right corner
of the screen and a
notification sound will
play. This example shows
an incoming video call.

15. Joining a Hangout
Clicking "Answer" will open the new Google
Hangout window. If this is the first time
participating in a Google Hangout, you will be
prompted to install the Hangout Plugin.
After the plugin has finished installed, you will be
prompted to adjust your webcam and
microphone settings if needed.
When you're ready to enter the Hangout, click
Hangout.

16. Hangout Tools

17. Tools
Once the Hangout has begun, please note some basic tools
available to users in the Hangout:
In the top right corner of the Hangout:
1. Microphone level
2. Mute/unmute your microphone (NOTE: your microphone may
automatically be muted when first entering the Hangout. Click the
microphone button one time to unmute it)
3. Turn off/on your webcam
4. Adjust bandwidth usage
5. Settings
6. Hang up/exit the Hangout

18. This is an overview of Google
Hangouts. Please feel free to
contact Kaitlyn Reish at
kreish@highpoint.edu or 336-
841-9379 with any further
questions.