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Using the Zoom client and Zoom Rooms with macOS Follow

Overview

Due to increased security and permissions with Mac OS 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina, you will be prompted to authorize the Zoom desktop client and Zoom Rooms client to use the microphone and camera. On Mac OS 10.15 Catalina, screen recording will also need to be authorized.. You will also be prompted to allow the Zoom desktop client to allow others to remotely control your desktop. You can click OK during the initial request and you will be able to use your microphone and camera in Zoom.

If you do not allow Zoom access during this initial prompt or the camera, microphone, and remote control access become disabled, you will need to go into your OS System Preferences to allow access.

This article covers:

Prerequisites

  • OS 10.14 and higher
  • OS Administrator access

Note: If you upgrade your Zoom Rooms Mac to Mojave or Catalina, keep the keyboard and mouse connected to the computer until you open Zoom and authorize access to the camera and microphone. You will need OS administrator access for the computer.  

Instructions

Permissions for the Zoom desktop client

The Zoom Desktop Client may ask you to authorize access to the following permissions, depending on which features you are accessing in Zoom: 

  • Camera - For sharing your video in a meeting or webinar
  • Microphone - For joining computer audio in a meeting or webinar
  • Screen Recording (Mac OS 10.15 Catalina only) - For sharing your screen in a meeting or webinar
  • Files and Folders (Mac OS 10.15 Catalina only) - For sharing and saving files from chat in a meeting or webinar, as well as recording locally to your computer.
  • Accessibility - For allowing remote control in a meeting

Permissions for the Zoom web client

When joining from a web browser using the Zoom Web client, you will need to make sure your browser is authorized to access to the following permissions, depending on which features you are accessing in Zoom: 

  • Camera - For sharing your video in a meeting or webinar
  • Microphone - For joining computer audio in a meeting or webinar
  • Screen Recording (Mac OS 10.15 Catalina only) - For sharing your screen in a meeting or webinar

Permissions for Zoom Rooms

The Zoom Rooms application may ask you to authorize access to the following permissions, depending on which features you are accessing: 

  • Camera - For sharing your video in a meeting or webinar
  • Microphone - For joining computer audio in a meeting or webinar

Editing permissions

  1. Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Click System Preferences.
  3. Click Security & Privacy.
  4. Select the Privacy tab 
  5. Click the lock icon at the bottom left corner of the Security & Privacy window.
  6. Enter your OS administrator username and password.
  7. Click Unlock.
  8. Click the permission that you need to change: Camera, Microphone, Screen Recording, Files and Folders or Accessibility.
  9. Click the checkbox next to zoom.us and/or Zoom Rooms.
    Note: For Local Recording on Catalina, you need to click the checkbox for at least the Documents Folder option under zoom.us.
  10. A window will appear asking you to restart Zoom or the Zoom Rooms application.
    • If you need to allow other permissions, click Later. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for any additional permissions you need to enable.
    • Once you've allowed all necessary permissions, click Quit Now. 
  11. Reopen Zoom or Zoom Rooms and you should now have full access.