Google Duo: End of the Line

Google Duo is no more. The company’s video calling app, which was once popular, will be discontinued. Google will stop using Duo in September and consolidate all video calling functions under the Google Meet brand.

If you’ve been clinging to Duo for catch-ups or family chats, here’s what you need to know—before your memories vanish into the digital ether.

Google Duo: A new generation of leaders is emerging

You’re not the only one who feels lost in Google’s constantly changing apps. Google’s video services were streamlined in 2022. The story began. Rather than simply merging the two apps, things got a bit tangled—Duo was renamed as Google Meet, while the old Meet app took on a host of Duo features. What was the result? Many users weren’t quite sure which app they were using—or why things kept changing.

Google has now made it official. The classic Google Duo app will vanish forever in September. Duo will erase any contacts, video recordings, or calls that you may have stored.

What will change for everyday users?

Most people won’t be too upset by the news. Google Meet—which is already on millions of phones and laptops—offers all the basics, including one-to-one calls, group chats, and even some new bells and whistles. Duo’s popular features like “family mode” or “moments”, which let you share pictures during calls, won’t be available on the new platform.

Nest Hub users, take note: If you’re using a Nest device such as the Hub Max to make video calls, things could get messy. Google has yet to confirm any updates that will make these devices fully compatible. So, if your home routine depends on a Nest display, keep an eye out for announcements—or risk being left on mute.

Save your Google Duo data to avoid losing your memories

Now that the shutdown is approaching, it’s time to see if you have anything in Duo that you would like to keep. You can back up your Duo data now before it is too late.

• Open the Google Meet app on your device (yes, Meet—not Duo).
• Click on the “Settings” menu at the top left of the screen.
• Scroll down to “Calls”.
• Here you can find the details of your old Duo Account and export or delete all your call records.

You’ll save a lot of money if your old video messages are irreplaceable.

What Google Duo shutdown means for users: More confusion or simpler video calls?

This change is aimed at simplifying things for most people. Google Meet is your one-stop shop for video calls, as it brings everything under one roof. But as is often the way with tech, some features will fall by the wayside—and there’s still confusion for those with older Google gadgets.

Now is the time for Duo fans to check their app, export any information they care about and learn more about Meet. This is not the most exciting ending, but should result in fewer headaches over time.

Stay tuned for technology updates—especially if you’re a Nest user. Google is always changing.