Getting Started with Zoom Meetings
Use this guide to learn how to join and actively participate in a Zoom meeting. Once in the meeting, you can add a virtual background to your video, share your screen, and chat with other participants if the host has allowed it. If you haven't already, download and install the desktop client or mobile app before getting started.
Use this guide to learn how to quickly schedule and host your Zoom meetings. Once in the meeting, you can adjust your security settings, manage other participants, share your screen, and record the session. If you haven't already, download and install the desktop client or mobile app before getting started.
Account owners and admins with the privilege to edit account settings can control settings for their users at the account level. Use this guide to learn how to choose the default setting by enabling or disabling a toggle, and enforce the setting by locking it from other users. Get started with Zoom Meetings by managing settings, including authentication profiles, in-meeting chat, and enforcing a minimum client version.
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How to join a meeting
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How to connect to audio
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How to turn on your video and add a virtual background
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How to share your screen
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How to chat with others
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How to view captions
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How to schedule a meeting
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How to start a meeting
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How to manage participants
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How to share your screen
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How to secure a meeting
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How to record
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How to enforce meeting security settings
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How to manage in-meeting chat settings
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How to manage screen sharing settings
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How to manage virtual background and filter settings
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How to manage calendar and contact integrations
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How to manage minimum client versions
Do more with Zoom Meetings
After getting started with Zoom Meetings, find out more about available settings and additional features on our product support page.
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Start LearningHow to join a meeting
- Click the invite link provided by the host, for example in a calendar or email invitation, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Alternatively, open the Zoom desktop client.
- Click the Home tab.
- Click Join.
- Enter the meeting ID provided by the meeting host.
- If prompted, enter the meeting passcode.
- Click Join.
You will then join the meeting or waiting room, if enabled by the host.
How to join a meeting
- Tap the invite link provided by the host, for example in a calendar or email invitation, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Alternatively, open the Zoom mobile app.
- Tap the Meet & Chat tab.
- Tap Join.
- Enter the meeting ID provided by the meeting host.
- If prompted, enter the meeting passcode.
You will then join the meeting or waiting room, if enabled by the host.
How to connect to audio
Upon joining the meeting, you will be prompted to connect to audio.
- Click Join with Computer Audio.
Other options may appear, such as calling in to the meeting or being called into the meeting, but this depends on which audio options the host has provided. - Click Mute / Unmute in the bottom-left corner of the meeting controls toolbar as needed to control your microphone.
How to connect to audio
Upon joining the meeting, you will be prompted to connect to audio.
- Tap Wifi or Cellular Data.
Other options may appear, such Dial in or Call Me, but this depends on which audio options the host has provided. - Tap Mute / Unmute in the bottom-left corner of the meeting controls toolbar as needed to control your microphone.
How to turn on your video and add a virtual background
- If the host has requested video be on by default, you will be prompted with a video preview. This allows you to see your current video and decide to join the meeting with or without video. Click Join with Video.
- While you’re in a meeting, click Start Video / Stop Video in the bottom-left corner of the meeting controls toolbar as needed to control your video.
- (Optional) Next to Start Video / Stop Video, click the
button and select Choose Virtual Background… to select a virtual background. Once you select a background, it will automatically change in the meeting.
How to turn on your video and add a virtual background
- If the host has requested video be on by default, you will be prompted with a video preview. This allows you to see your current video and decide to join the meeting with or without video. Tap Join with Video.
- While you’re in a meeting, tap Start Video / Stop Video in the bottom-left corner of the meeting controls toolbar as needed to control your video.
- (Optional) In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More
, then tap Backgrounds and Filters to select a virtual background. Once you select a background, it will automatically change in the meeting.
How to share your screen
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Share Screen.
- Select an entire desktop or screen, a specific opened program, or the classic Whiteboard. You can also switch to the Advanced tab for other sharing options, such as slides as a Virtual Background, computer audio only, a local video file, or content from a 2nd camera.
- (Optional) Select the check boxes next to Share sound and/or Optimize for video clip to enable either immediately at the start of your sharing.
These options can also be enabled/disabled during the share. - Click Share to begin sharing your screen or content.
How to share your screen
- In the meeting controls toolbar, tap Share Screen (Android) or Share Content (iOS).
- Select what you want to share, such as a document or photo, your screen, or the classic Whiteboard.
- Tap Start now or Begin Broadcasting to begin sharing your screen or content.
How to chat with others
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Chat.
The Chat panel will open. - Click in the text input box and enter your message.
- (Optional) Click the To: Everyone drop-down menu to select a specific participant to send your message to.
Note: Your available options may be restriced by the host. - Press Enter to send your message.
How to chat with others
- In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More.
- Tap Chat.
The chat panel will open. - Tap in the text input box and enter your message.
- (Optional) Tap the Send to: Everyone drop-down menu to select a specific participant to send your message to.
Note: Your available options may be restricted by the host. - Tap the send icon
to send your message.
How to view captions
If captioning is being provided, either manually or automated, you will see a notification informing you that closed captioning is available.
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Closed Caption
/ Live Transcript
, then select Show Subtitle.
- If automated captions are enabled but not currently available, click Live Transcript
and then click Request live transcription, which will prompt the host to enable live transcription for everyone.
How to view captions
- Before joining a meeting, open the Zoom mobile app.
- Tap the More (Android) or Settings (iOS) tab.
- Tap Meetings.
- Under the General section, tap the toggle to enable Show Closed Captioning (when available).
When manual or automated captions are available in a meeting, captions will appear by default. - If you are in a meeting and automated captions are enabled but not currently available, tap the
More and then tap Request Live Transcription, which will prompt the host to enable live transcription for everyone.
How to schedule a meeting
- Open the Zoom desktop client and sign in to your Zoom account.
- Click the Home tab.
- Click Schedule.
- Provide a topic for the meeting and adjust the date and time.
- Choose a meeting ID, which is the number used to create an invitation link for the meeting. For scheduled meetings, we recommend choosing Generate Automatically which provides a unique ID for the meeting.
- Adjust the security options, such as Waiting Room, passcodes, and requiring authentication, to suit your needs.
- Set the desired video defaults for host and participants.
- Set which audio options you want available in the meeting.
- (Optional) Click Advanced Options to enable other features.
- Select which 3rd-party calendaring service you would like to export the meeting to, or select the Other Calendars option to view and copy the meeting invitation.
- Click Save to finish scheduling the meeting.
How to schedule a meeting
- Open the Zoom mobile app and sign in to your Zoom account.
- Tap the Meet & Chat.
- Click Schedule.
- Provide a topic for the meeting and adjust the date and time.
- Adjust the security options, such as Waiting Room, passcodes, and requiring authentication, to suit your needs.
- Set the desired video defaults for host and participants.
- Set which audio options you want available in the meeting.
- (Optional) Tap Advanced Options to enable other features.
- Tap Done (Android) or Save (iOS) to finish scheduling the meeting.
Your default email app will automatically open with the meeting invitation in the body, so that you can send it to the necessary participants.
How to manage participants
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Participants.
The Participants panel will open on the right side of the meeting window and list all current participants in the waiting room and the live meeting. -
In the Participants panel, you can do any of the following actions:
- Halt discussion by clicking Mute All at the bottom of the list.
- Control what participants are allowed to do in the meeting, such as unmuting themselves, renaming, or starting their video, by clicking More
at the bottom of the list.
- Hover over a participant's name and click More to access options to send them a chat message, pin or spotlight their video, promote them to host or co-host, rename them in the current meeting, or report and remove them from the meeting, among other options.
How to manage participants
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Participants.
The Participants panel will open on the right side of the meeting window and list all current participants in the waiting room and the live meeting. -
In the Participants panel, you can do any of the following actions:
- Halt discussion by tapping Mute All at the bottom of the list.
- Tap a participant's name to access options to send them a chat message, pin or spotlight their video, promote them to host or co-host, rename them in the current meeting, or report and remove them from the meeting, among other options.
How to share your screen
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Share Screen.
- Select an entire desktop or screen, a specific opened program, or the classic Whiteboard. You can also switch to the Advanced tab for other sharing options, such as slides as a Virtual Background, computer audio only, a local video file, or content from a 2nd camera.
- (Optional) Select the check boxes next to Share sound and/or Optimize for video clip to enable either immediately at the start of your sharing.
These options can also be enabled/disabled during the share. - Click Share to begin sharing your screen or content.
How to share your screen
- In the meeting controls toolbar, tap Share Screen (Android) or Share Content (iOS).
- Select what you want to share, such as a document or photo, your screen, or the classic Whiteboard.
- Tap Start now or Begin Broadcasting to begin sharing your screen or content.
How to secure a meeting
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Security.
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Click any of the following in-meeting options to enable or disable them:
- Lock Meeting: This locks the meeting and allows no more participants to enter.
- Enable Waiting Room: This can be enabled or disabled as needed during a meeting in order to control who can join the meeting and when.
- Hide Profile Pictures: This can be useful when a participant has an inappropriate profile picture.
- Allow participants to: These options allow the host to control participants' access to or ability to use the listed features during the current meetings, including sharing screen, in-meeting chat, renaming themselves, turning on their video or audio, and using whiteboards.
- Suspend Participant Activities: Turn off all participants’ video, audio, Zoom Apps, and ability to share their screen. Also lock the meeting to prevent participants from joining. This is useful during an interruption and the host needs to regain control of the meeting.
How to secure a meeting
- In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More.
- Tap Security.
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Enable any of the following options:
- Lock Meeting: This locks the meeting and allows no more participants to enter.
- Waiting Room: This can be enabled or disabled as needed during a meeting in order to control who can join the meeting and when.
- Hide All Profile Pictures: This can be useful when a participant has an inappropriate profile picture.
- Allow participants to: These options allow the host to control participants' access to or ability to use the listed features during the current meetings, including sharing screen, in-meeting chat, renaming themselves, turning on their video or audio, and using whiteboards.
- Remove Participant: Allows you to select a participant you want to remove from the meeting.
- Suspend Participant Activities: Turn off all participants’ video, audio, Zoom Apps, and ability to share their screen. Also lock the meeting to prevent participants from joining. This is useful during an interruption and the host needs to regain control of the meeting.
- When you’re finished modifying security options, tap Done to go back to the meeting screen.
How to record
- In the meeting controls toolbar, click Record.
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Choose where you want to record the meeting to:
- Record on this Computer: Saves the MP4 file of the recording on your local device. The recording will be available on your device once the meeting ends.
- Record to the Cloud: Saves the MP4 file of the recording to Zoom’s servers. You will receive an email notification when your cloud recording has finished processing. These recordings can be shared with others through a link.
Note: You must be a Licensed user to record to the cloud.
- (Optional) You can manually pause or stop a recording, as well as end the meeting to automatically end the recording.
How to record
If you are a Licensed user, you can record a meeting from your mobile device.
- In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More.
- Tap Record
to begin recording to the cloud.
The recording will begin and participants will be prompted to consent to being recorded. - (Optional) You can manually pause or stop a recording, as well as end the meeting to automatically end the recording.
How to enforce meeting security settings
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- In the Security section, click the toggles to enable or disable security settings for users on the account, including the Waiting Room and its customization, meeting passcodes and their complexity, and authentication profiles to control who can join meetings hosted by your account.
- (Optional) To prevent all users in your account from changing a setting, click the lock icon
next to a toggle, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
How to manage in-meeting chat settings
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- In the In Meeting (Basic) section, click the toggles to enable or disable settings controlling the use of in-meeting chat, such as allowing private chat messages, allowing chats to be saved, and if files can be sent through in-meeting chat.
- (Optional) To prevent all users in your account from changing a setting, click the lock icon
next to a toggle, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
How to manage screen sharing settings
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- In the In Meeting (Basic) section, click the toggles to enable or disable settings controlling the use of screen sharing in meetings. This includes who and what can be shared, as well as use of annotation and remote control.
- (Optional) To prevent all users in your account from changing a setting, click the lock icon
next to a toggle, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
How to manage virtual background and filter settings
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- In the In Meeting (Advanced) section, click the toggles to enable or disable settings controlling the use of virtual backgrounds and filters in meetings. This includes requiring use of virtual backgrounds, pre-loading virtual backgrounds for your account to use, and use of filters and avatars.
- (Optional) To prevent all users in your account from changing a setting, click the lock icon
next to a toggle, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
How to manage calendar and contact integrations
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- In the Calendar and Contacts section, click the toggles to enable or disable settings controlling the use of the calendar and contacts integrations with Outlook and Google Calendar. This includes the ability to choose a default integration service, restrict the integration to users with certain domains, consenting on behalf of the entire account, and enforcing OAuth 2.0.
How to manage minimum client versions
As an admin, you can set the minimum version (or higher) that your users must have installed. This can be set for each platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) and can also be applied to external users that join your meetings.
- Sign in to the Zoom Web Portal.
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- Click the Meetings tab.
- Under Admin Options, click the Require users to update the client toggle to enable it.
- If a verification dialog appears, click Enable to verify the change.
This setting will be enforced when users try to sign in or start a meeting or webinar, and they will be prompted to update to the specified version before they can continue.