Why does Google Meet show a "Potential risk" warning for Otter Notetaker? – Help Center

Google Meet may display a "Potential risk" warning when Otter Notetaker requests to join a meeting. This warning is part of Google's handling of third-party meeting assistants and does not mean Otter Notetaker is unsafe. The meeting host or another authorized participant may need to manually admit Otter before it can join and record the meeting.

Note: This warning is displayed by Google Meet, not Otter. It may appear when Otter Notetaker requests to join, even if you have previously used Otter in Google Meet.

Why does Google Meet show a "Potential risk" warning?

Google has updated how Google Meet identifies and handles third-party meeting assistants. As a result, automated notetakers, including Otter Notetaker, may be flagged under With potential risks when requesting to join a meeting.

This is a Google Meet security precaution and is not specific to Otter. The warning does not, by itself, indicate that Google has identified a security issue with Otter Notetaker.

Depending on the meeting's access settings, Google Meet may require the host or another authorized participant to approve Otter Notetaker's request before it can join.

Note: Google Meet's interface, meeting access settings, and admission process may change over time. For the most up-to-date information and instructions on admitting guests, refer to Google Meet Help.

How to admit Otter Notetaker to a Google Meet meeting

When Otter Notetaker requests to join your Google Meet meeting, Google may flag it under With potential risks. The meeting host or another authorized participant must approve the request before Otter Notetaker can enter and begin recording.

Join your Google Meet meeting as the host or an authorized participant.
In the People panel, click the three dots (⋮) next to the Notetaker. Select Admit entry.
Notetaker will be admitted and can begin recording the meeting.

Tip: If you don't see the admission controls, ask the meeting host or another participant with permission to admit guests to approve Otter Notetaker's request.

Record Google Meet without Otter Notetaker joining

If you prefer not to admit a separate meeting participant, you can use the Otter desktop app for Mac or Windows to record and transcribe your meeting directly from your computer. Click Record on the desktop app to start transcribing immediately.

Unlike Otter Notetaker, the desktop app captures the meeting from your device without joining Google Meet as a separate participant. This means you do not need to approve a Notetaker join request in Google Meet.

If Notetaker is unable to join, you'll be prompted through the desktop app to record manually.

🖥️ Learn how to record with the Otter desktop app

Troubleshoot Otter Notetaker not joining Google Meet

If Otter Notetaker is unable to join your Google Meet meeting, check the following:

Check for a waiting guest: Click the guest waiting notification at the top of Google Meet or open the People panel.
Review potential-risk requests: Under Waiting to join, expand With potential risks to check whether Otter Notetaker is waiting for approval.
Verify admission permissions: Confirm that the meeting host or another authorized participant can admit Otter Notetaker using three dots (⋮) → Admit entry.
Review Google Meet access settings: Your organization's Google Workspace policies or meeting access settings may restrict external participants from joining.
Confirm Notetaker joined: After admission, check that Otter Notetaker appears under the People panel → In the meeting → Contributors.

For help with Google Meet admission permissions or meeting access settings, visit Google Meet Help. If Otter Notetaker continues to experience issues, contact our Otter Support team.

FAQs

Is Otter Notetaker safe to admit to Google Meet?

Yes. Google Meet's "Potential risk" warning is a precaution that may apply to third-party meeting assistants set by Google, not Otter. This warning applies to all third-party meeting assistants.

Why is Google Meet flagging Otter Notetaker as a potential risk?

Google has changed how it handles third-party meeting assistants requesting to join Google Meet. Otter Notetaker may appear under With potential risks as part of this process. The warning is generated by Google Meet and is not specific to Otter.

Why can't I see the option to admit Otter Notetaker?

Your Google Meet account may not have permission to admit participants. Depending on the meeting's access settings, only the host or certain authorized participants can approve join requests.

Ask the meeting host to check the People panel under Waiting to join → With potential risks for Otter Notetaker's pending request.

Will the potential-risk warning appear in every Google Meet meeting?

Not necessarily. The warning and admission requirements may vary depending on Google Meet's access settings and your organization's Google Workspace policies. You may be required to manually admit Otter Notetaker in some meetings but not others.

What happens if Otter Notetaker is not admitted?

When Google Meet requires approval, Otter Notetaker cannot enter the meeting until an authorized participant admits it. While waiting for approval, Otter Notetaker cannot record or transcribe the meeting.

If Otter Notetaker is not admitted within the allowed waiting period, it may leave the waiting room and the meeting will not be recorded by Notetaker.

Tip: To avoid missing meeting content, admit Otter Notetaker as soon as it requests to join. Content shared before Otter begins recording will not be captured by that recording. We recommend recording with the Otter desktop app to avoid any issues.

How long does Otter Notetaker wait to be admitted?

Otter Notetaker waits for admission for a limited period. If it is not admitted in time, it may leave the waiting room without recording the meeting. We recommend admitting Otter Notetaker promptly after it requests to join.

Can Otter Notetaker join Google Meet automatically?

Otter Notetaker can automatically attempt to join eligible meetings based on your Otter settings. However, Google Meet may still require the meeting host or another authorized participant to approve the request before Otter Notetaker can enter.

Manage your individual Notetaker auto-join settings in Account Settings → Meetings.

Can I record Google Meet using other methods?

Yes. You can use the Otter desktop app to record Google Meet directly from your computer without Otter Notetaker joining as a separate participant. Because the desktop app does not request entry as a meeting participant, Google Meet's Notetaker admission warning does not apply.

Learn more in the Otter desktop app guide.

What happens if I deny Otter Notetaker's join request?

If you deny the request, Otter Notetaker will not enter the meeting and cannot record or transcribe the conversation. If you still need a recording, you can use an alternative recording method, such as the Otter desktop app.

Can I turn off the Google Meet potential-risk warning?

The warning is controlled by Google Meet, not Otter. Otter cannot disable or override Google's meeting admission prompts.

Your Google Workspace administrator may be able to manage certain meeting access settings, but the warning itself may still appear.

Where can I find the latest Google Meet instructions for admitting guests?

For the most up-to-date instructions on admitting guests, managing meeting access, and configuring participant permissions, visit Google Meet Help.

Google manages these settings and may update the admission process or interface independently of Otter. If you're unable to admit Otter Notetaker, refer to Google's documentation or contact your organization's Google Workspace administrator.