Release notes for February 1, 2021

• New updates for the Zoom client
• New updates for the Outlook plugin

New updates for the Zoom client

For full notes including version numbers, please see the operating system release notes. 
Windows | macOS | Linux | iOS* | Android

*The iOS release requires Apple approval and may take a few additional days to appear in the App Store.

Changes to existing features

• Relocated and enhanced attendee view controls for webinars - Windows, macOS, Linux
  The options to push particular video layouts to webinar attendees has been moved from the Participants list to the View Options button, located in the top-right corner of the main video window. The layout options Follow Host’s View, Speaker, Gallery, and Standard (shared content with video thumbnails) now include Side-by-side: Speaker, and Side-by-Side: Gallery while sharing content. Custom Gallery view orders are now supported for use by panelists, but cannot be deployed to attendees. Webinar attendees can no longer control their view of the webinar, giving the host and co-host(s) exclusive control.
• Persistent non-verbal feedback - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
  Non-verbal feedback, which is now included in meeting reactions, will return to the previous behavior, in which they are persistent until the attendee or host removes them. This includes the Yes, No, Slower, and Faster options.
• Enhancement to alternative host feature - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
  If the original host joins after the alternative host, the original host will always regain control of the meeting and become host. In addition, the alternative host will change roles. If the co-host feature is enabled for the meeting, the alternative host will become a co-host. If the co-host feature is disabled, the alternative host becomes a normal participant.

New and enhanced features

• General features
  • Zoom Room controls on Zoom mobile app - Android, iOS
    When a meeting is started on the mobile app and then passed to the Zoom Room they are in, the mobile app will provide Zoom Room controls, such as mute/unmute audio, volume control, start/stop video, and end meeting. Zoom Room meeting controls will still present on the controller and will sync with changes initiated on the mobile app.
  • Enhanced support for Android 11 - Android
    Improvements to better support Android 11.
  • Block or allow only participants from specific countries/regions - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    When scheduling meetings, the option “Approve or deny entry to users from certain regions and countries” will be available under Advanced Options. Host can either allow only participants from specific countries/regions to join, or block all participants from specific countries/regions.
  • Enhancements to Outlook calendar integration - Windows
    If MAPI is enabled, deleted meetings on the client and web will also delete the associated Outlook calendar event, as long as the event was not a web-scheduled recurring or PMI meeting. For On-Premise users, MAPI allows meeting change and deletion syncing.
  • View synced contacts in sub-folders - Windows, macOS, Linux
    If users set up contacts integration and their contacts are organized into sub-folder in the third-party service (Outlook, Exchange, or Google), they can view those sub-folders in the contacts directory.
  • Rotate camera - macOS
    Users on the desktop client for macOS can now rotate their camera video feed 90°. This can be done multiple times to completely flip the video, allowing for inverted cameras configurations.
  • Additional MSI/GPO options - Windows, macOS, Linux
    • Require new SSO login upon client start - DisableKeepSignedInWithSSO
      Disabled by default, this option will prevent the client from utilizing the last SSO session info, requiring a fresh login for every re-opening of the client.
    • Require new Google login upon client start - DisableKeepSignedInWithGoogle
      Disabled by default, this option will prevent the client from utilizing the last Google session info, requiring a fresh login for every re-opening of the client.
    • Require new SSO login upon client start - DisableKeepSignedInWithFacebook
      Disabled by default, this option will prevent the client from utilizing the last Facebook session info, requiring a fresh login for every re-opening of the client.
    • Set audio signal processing for Windows audio devices - SetAudioSignalProcessType
      Default value is Auto (0), but can also be set to Off (1)(raw audio mode) or On (2)(Windows default signal processing).
    • Audio noise suppression - SetSuppressBackgroundNoiseLevel
      Default value is Auto (0), but can also be set to Low (1), Medium (2), or High (3). The High option requires an audio enhancement package (included in the MSI), and if not present,- the client will revert to Auto.
• Meeting/webinar features
  • Share and play video files directly into meeting - Windows, macOS
    The Video option under Advanced share options will allow you to choose a video file, which will be opened by Zoom and played in the meeting as shared content. Host has typical video player controls (pause/ play, volume control, full screen, video length/elapsed time), which are not seen by other participants during share. MP4 and MOV files are supported, and max video resolution is 1080p.
  • Blurred background - Windows, macOS
    Users can now choose to blur their background rather than selecting a specific virtual background, providing added privacy when a branded background is unavailable or unnecessary.
  • Share mono or stereo sound - Windows, macOS, Linux
    When sharing content and wanting to share computer sound as well, users can select between mono or stereo audio. Only the user sharing their audio will need to be utilizing this client version or higher.
  • Support for filters on iOS - iOS
    Zoom mobile app users on iOS can now use video filters, adding fun elements to your meetings and helping break the monotony of meetings.
  • Additional support for flashlight control - Android
    More Android devices can now utilize the camera flashlight option. When in a meeting, switch to the front-facing camera, tap Share, and select Camera to have the ability to enable the flashlight. Device must be on Android 6.0 or higher and support the camera flashlight ability.
• Meeting features
  • Meeting reactions for End-to-End Encrypted meetings - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Meeting reactions can now be utilized in E2EE meetings.
  • 1:1 private chat for End-to-End Encrypted meetings - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    1:1 private chats can now be utilized in E2EE meetings, allowing for messages to all participants and private messages between 2 participants.
• Phone features 
  • SMS for international phone numbers - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Users can send/receive SMS for certain countries/regions. Messages sent to international telephone numbers will be metered according to the international messaging rate table. This feature needs to be enabled by an admin.
  • Support for SMS and MMS messages in a single message bubble - Windows, macOS, Android
    Text (SMS) and images (MMS) can be shown in a single message bubble. Previously, text and images had to be in separate message bubbles.
  • Add contacts without specifying an email address - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Users can add phone contacts by specifying a name and phone number. Previously, users had to use calendar integration to add contacts without an email address.
  • Additional ringtone - Windows, macOS, Linux
    Users can set their ringtone to a beeping sound.
  • Voicemail notifications - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Users will see a notification when they receive a new voicemail.
  • Group call pickup - Windows, macOS
    Account owners and admins can use the web portal to create call pickup groups and add phone users as members. All groups members will see call notifications whenever there’s an inbound call to a member. This feature is also supported on certain Yealink devices. This feature needs to be enabled by Zoom.
• Chat features
  • Back to previous chat - Windows, macOS, Linux
    The ability to return up to the previous chat channel or contact, as well as go forward. This allows you to respond to an urgent request or message, then quickly return to the channel you were previously working in without needing to search for it among others.
  • Enhanced mobile chat search filters - Android, iOS
    When searching through messages on the mobile app, more search filters are available, such as searching only in specific channels, sent by specific contacts, sent with so many days, or by @me mentions.
  • Request contact connections directly from chat channel - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    When creating a new channel or adding contacts to a channel, a contact request will be automatically sent if the associated email is not already an existing contact. Upon accepting the request, that contact will automatically be added to the channel. These pending requests can also be removed, and the requester will be notified when the request has been accepted.

Resolved Issues

• Security enhancements
• Minor bug fixes

New updates for the Outlook plugin

New and enhanced features

• General features
  • Block or allow only participants from specific countries/regions 
    When scheduling meetings, the option “Approve or deny entry to users from certain regions and countries” will be available under Advanced Options. Host can either allow only participants from specific counties/regions to join, or block all participants from specific counties/regions.