You can get a Google Meet transcript in two ways: use Google Meet's built-in transcription (if you have Google Workspace), or use a Chrome extension that shows a live transcript in the same tab—with no bot joining the call—and adds an AI summary and action items. This guide walks through both options and gives step-by-step instructions for the extension approach so you get a Google Meet transcript and summary without any extra participant in the meeting.
Two ways to get a Google Meet transcript
The first is native: Google Meet has a built-in transcript feature for eligible Workspace accounts. The second is a Chrome extension that captures the meeting's captions in real time and displays them in a side panel; many extensions also generate AI summaries and never join the call as a bot. Which you choose depends on whether you have Workspace, whether you want an AI summary, and whether you're okay with a tool that runs only in your browser (no bot visible to others).
Option 1: Google Meet's built-in transcript
If your organization uses Google Workspace (Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise, Education Plus, or similar), the meeting host or any participant can turn on the built-in transcript. During the call, click Meeting tools (bottom right), then Transcripts, then Start transcription. The transcript appears in real time on the right side of the meeting. When the meeting ends, it's saved to the meeting organizer's Google Drive in a folder named after the meeting. Built-in transcripts are available only on computer or laptop (not mobile), and only in supported Workspace editions. They contain spoken words only (no chat). If you don't have Workspace or you want a transcript plus an AI summary and action items without a bot in the call, use Option 2.
Option 2: Google Meet transcript with a Chrome extension (no bot)
A Chrome extension can give you a Google Meet transcript without needing Workspace and without any bot joining the call. The extension runs in your browser and reads the meeting's caption data (or enables captions in the background); it shows the live transcript in a collapsible panel beside the meeting. No third participant appears in the attendee list. Many extensions also send the transcript to a dashboard where you get an AI summary and action items after the call. This is ideal if you want a Google Meet transcript plus smart meeting notes, or if you're not on Workspace. W3copilot is one such extension: it works for Meet, Zoom, and Teams, shows the transcript in a side panel, and syncs to your account for summaries—all without a bot in the call.
Step-by-step: Get a Google Meet transcript with an extension
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Install the extension – Install a Chrome extension that supports Google Meet transcript capture (e.g. from the Chrome Web Store). Choose one that clearly states it does not join the call as a participant.
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Open Google Meet – Go to meet.google.com and join or start a meeting in Chrome.
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Join the meeting as usual – You do not need to invite a bot or add any extra participant. The extension runs in your browser tab.
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Open the transcript panel – Click the extension icon or use the extension's panel toggle. The Google Meet transcript will appear in a sidebar as people speak. On Meet, the extension typically enables captions in the background so transcript text is available.
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Optional: sign in to sync – If the extension supports an account (e.g. W3copilot), sign in from the popup so the transcript is saved to your dashboard and you get an AI summary and action items after the call.
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After the meeting – Open your dashboard or export the transcript. You'll have the full Google Meet transcript plus, if your tool supports it, a summary and action items—all without a bot having joined the call.
What you get
With the extension approach you get:
- Live Google Meet transcript – Words appear in the panel as people speak, with speaker names when Meet provides them.
- Timestamps – So you can jump to any part of the conversation.
- AI summary – A short overview and key points generated after the meeting (when you use a tool that syncs to an account).
- Action items – Extracted next steps and owners.
- Export and sync – Copy the transcript, export as text, or sync to your account for later review. No bot in the call; the extension stays in your browser.
You get a Google Meet transcript and meeting notes without a bot joining the call. For a step-by-step setup with a no-bot extension that supports Meet, Zoom, and Teams, try Google Meet transcript and AI summary without a bot with W3copilot.