Google Meet translation in real time
Google Meet offers speech translation and translated captions with different language and account requirements. KONWA runs alongside the browser: it sends your translated voice into Meet as a microphone and can show the other side’s replies as captions in KONWA.
Updated October 9, 2026 · macOS and Windows
On this page
- Meet speech translation or translated captions?
- When KONWA fits a Google Meet call
- What you need before installing KONWA
- Set up KONWA in Google Meet on a computer
- Read the other side as translated captions
- If Meet translation or the virtual microphone is missing
- Questions about Google Meet translation
- Related setup guides
- Official feature references
Meet speech translation or translated captions?
Google’s speech translation documentation currently lists English paired with French, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. Japanese is not in that speech-translation list. Meet’s translated-caption language list is different and includes Japanese.
| Option | Output | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Meet speech translation | Spoken translation within Meet | Eligible account/meeting; one language pair per meeting; currently a 90-minute limit |
| Meet translated captions | Text in the participant’s chosen language | Eligible Workspace edition and caption language settings |
| KONWA | One outgoing speech language; incoming captions on your screen | Supported desktop, virtual microphone, browser microphone permission and KONWA time |
For native speech translation, an eligible user selects Meeting tools → Speech translation and the language pair; participants then allow and configure their speech translation. For native captions, open Settings → Captions, set the meeting language and enable translated captions. Check the official references for current account eligibility.
When KONWA fits a Google Meet call
- You need to speak a language pair supported by KONWA that is not offered by Meet’s native speech translation, such as Japanese to English.
- You want the same outgoing translation setup in Meet and other desktop calling apps.
- You can install KONWA and its virtual microphone and allow the browser to use it.
If Meet’s built-in captions or speech translation cover your need and are available to you, they can avoid a separate installation. KONWA does not replace the meeting’s permissions, and it cannot translate incoming speech into spoken audio for you.
What you need before installing KONWA
| Function | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Translate your voice | Apple silicon (M1 or later), macOS 14+ | Windows 10/11, x64 |
| Caption the other side | Apple silicon, macOS 14.2+ | Windows 10 version 2004+ or Windows 11, x64 |
- A microphone, headphones, internet access and a KONWA account with available translation time.
- Permission to install KONWA and its bundled virtual microphone, and to select that microphone in the call app. Managed computers or organization policies may restrict this.
- For captions on macOS, permission for KONWA to record system audio. KONWA does not bypass meeting, device or organization restrictions.
The other participants do not need KONWA. It runs on your Mac or Windows PC; it is not an iPhone, Android, Linux or browser-only app.
Set up KONWA in Google Meet on a computer
Install KONWA and its virtual microphone
Use the macOS installation guide or Windows installation guide. On Mac, authorize KONWA Microphone when prompted. On Windows, keep VB-CABLE selected in the installer and restart after installation. Sign in to KONWA.
Choose your languages and start translation
Check your microphone in KONWA, choose the language you speak and one language the other side should hear, then start translation. This sends one translated output language; it does not deliver a different language to each participant.
Choose the virtual microphone in Meet
In the Meet meeting, open More options → Settings → Audio → Microphone and select the device below. Allow microphone access in the browser if requested. Leave Speakers on your headphones.
| Computer | Microphone to select in the call app |
|---|---|
| Mac | KONWA Microphone |
| Windows | CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) |
Keep the call app’s speaker/output and your system output on headphones. On Windows, do not use CABLE Input for normal playback. Headphones also keep the microphone from picking up the call and translating it again.
Check the browser is receiving translated audio
With KONWA translating, say a short sentence and watch Meet’s microphone level while the translated voice plays. Use a test call with another person to confirm the translated words are audible. A moving level alone does not confirm which language was received.
Read the other side as translated captions
While a KONWA translation session is running, choose the browser running Meet under Listen (Listen picks an app, not a single tab) and their speech appears as captions in your language, on your screen only. See translated captions only you see for setup, permissions and what others see when you share your screen.
If Meet translation or the virtual microphone is missing
A native feature is unavailable
Check which feature you need: speech translation and translated captions have different requirements. Confirm the account, language pair and administrator setting against Google’s current documentation.
KONWA’s microphone is not listed in Meet
Confirm the bundled virtual microphone is installed, restart Windows after VB-CABLE installation and check browser microphone permission. Reopen Meet’s audio settings and select the device again.
Captions include other browser audio
Choose the browser under Listen and stop audio in its other tabs. KONWA listens to one app, not a selected browser tab.
Questions about Google Meet translation
Does Meet support Japanese speech translation?
The speech-translation page checked on October 9, 2026 does not list Japanese, while the translated-caption page does. With KONWA, check Japanese and your target language in the supported-language guide and test the microphone setup.
Do I need Google Workspace for KONWA?
KONWA does not use Meet’s native translation entitlement. It uses the browser’s microphone input. Your account and organization still need to permit the meeting, microphone and desktop software.
Does this work in the Meet app on a phone?
No. This KONWA workflow runs on a supported Mac or Windows computer with Meet in the browser.
Does everyone need to install KONWA?
No. Only the person sending translated speech needs it. Other participants hear that audio through the call app as they would any microphone.
Can I try KONWA for free?
Registration includes 10 minutes to try it. Continued use requires available translation time; see Pricing. A free account in the calling app does not make KONWA permanently free.
Related setup guides
Use the same translated microphone with Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or Discord. For persistent audio problems, see Troubleshooting.
Official feature references
Native feature details checked on October 9, 2026. Availability depends on the provider’s current plan, app, language and administrator settings; check the linked documentation for changes.
Try it before your next call
Set up the virtual microphone and make a short test call before using it in a meeting.