Plus, its end-to-end encryption means your conversations are protected from prying eyes. This singular functionality frees you from having to sign in another account, make sure your buddy has the same service or take time to navigate through a busy interface. Google also believes that when a person decides to video-call a friend, one rarely wants to pivot to messaging or group chatting anyway.īecause Duo offers just the bare bones, it can provide a solid, no-muss-no-fuss video calling service. Plus, with Messenger, you don't need a Facebook account (a phone number will suffice).īut Google didn't create Duo to be an all-in-one communication platform to do so would make it hairier to use.

For example, they support messaging and you can start video calls with multiple people. And the best difference between it and Hangouts? It uses end-to-end encryption, so your data can't be viewed from third parties or even Google itself.Īll three of these competing apps do much more than simply one-to-one video calls. Other than downloading the app, you won't have to force anyone to log into their Google accounts or sign up for a new service. Unlike Hangouts, it reaches people through their phone numbers, not their Gmail. Whereas Hangouts can be used on desktops, supports messaging and group chats, and has multiway video for collaboration (and its interface reflects these extra features), Duo does one thing and one thing only: video calls on your phone or tablet. But according to Google, Duo is supposed to be way more specialized. Lynn La/CNET It's different than Hangouts (no, really)Īt this point you might be wondering what makes Duo different than Google's other video-calling service, Hangouts, and you're not alone if you think the company has one too many communication tools. During a call, you'll see only a handful of features (right). Under “Google account,” turn off People can contact you using your email address.Before a call you'll see icons to start video and your recent contacts (left).When you turn off email reachability, you appear unreachable by your email address and you leave groups you joined with your email address, but you stay signed into Duo. Tap More Settings Account Remove Google Account from Duo.Your phone number won't be linked to your Google Account in Duo anymore.You'll be signed out of Duo on all your devices, except the one verified with your phone number.Tap the Google Account you want to add.If you didn't add your Google Account during sign-up, you can add it through the app's settings later. Download the latest version of Duo for iOS devices. Make sure you have the latest version of the app. People with your phone number or Google Account info, like your Gmail address, can see that you use Duo and call you using the app.You can use Duo across different devices.When you connect Duo to your Google Account:

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