Google Meet Video Lock prevents non-host participants from using their cameras during a moderated meeting segment. It affects the meeting’s camera permission, rather than merely hiding a tile on your screen. Explain the change before applying it so participants understand why their camera controls stop working.
Check the role and device
The host or co-host must enable Host Management first. Google supports setting Audio and Video Lock on a computer or iOS device; the restrictions then apply to participants across devices. The meeting host and co-hosts are exempt. Decide whether the discussion needs camera restrictions for everyone else, rather than making the change solely to tidy your personal layout.
Apply the camera restriction
On a computer, click Host controls at the bottom right. In the side panel, turn Turn on their video off. Check the switch and the meeting’s visible camera behavior after applying it. If a particular presenter must remain visible, confirm their assigned role beforehand rather than promising a normal participant an exemption the control does not provide.
Restore permission deliberately
When the segment ends, turn Turn on their video back on. Participants must then choose to activate their cameras manually; removing Video Lock does not automatically broadcast them. Google warns that outdated mobile apps or unsupported mobile systems can cause participants to be removed when a lock is applied. They can rejoin after the restriction is removed, so check for missing attendees as well as visible cameras. If one person’s camera remains unavailable after unlocking, distinguish the restored meeting permission from that person’s browser, app, or device camera problem. Do not keep toggling the whole room’s restriction to diagnose a single device.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 4, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.