Designating an alternative host

When scheduling a meeting, the host can designate another Licensed user on the same account to be the alternative host. The alternative host can start the meeting on the host's behalf. This user will receive an email notifying them that they've been added as an alternative host, with a link to start the meeting. If this email notification is disabled in the Zoom web portal, the alternative host will not receive an email to start the meeting.

It is even possible to use an alternative host between linked master/sub accounts.

Note: If you're not sure that alternative host is the right role for you, learn about roles in a meeting.

Requirements for designating an alternative host

Limitations for designating an alternative host

Table of Contents

How to designate an alternative host when scheduling a meeting

Windows | macOS | Linux
  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. On the Home tab, click Schedule .
    The scheduler window will open.
  3. Set up the meeting details as needed, such as the title of the meeting, date and time, and meeting agenda.
  4. Click Settings.
  5. Under Advanced, in the Alternative hosts field, enter the name or email of each user you want to add as an alternative host. To add an alternative host, the user must be a Licensed user on the same account as you.
  6. (Optional) Select the check boxes to allow the alternative host to manage the following meeting assets:
    • Meeting summary
    • Meeting cloud recording
    • Add or edit polls
  7. Click Save.
    The alternative host will receive an email letting them know that they have been added as an alternative host, as long as they have not disabled this email notification in the Zoom web portal.
Web portal
  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Meetings.
  3. Click Schedule A Meeting.
  4. Set up the meeting details as needed, such as the title of the meeting, date and time, and meeting agenda.
  5. Scroll down to Options and click Show to view additional meeting options.
  6. In the Alternative Hosts field, enter the name or email of each user you want to add as an alternative host. To add an alternative host, the user must be a Licensed user on the same account as you.
  7. (Optional) Select the check boxes to allow the alternative host to manage the following meeting assets:
    • Meeting summary
    • Meeting cloud recording
    • Add or edit polls
  8. Click Save. 
    The alternative host will now receive an email letting them know that they have been added as an alternative host, as long as they have not disabled this email notification in the Zoom web portal.
Android | iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. On the Home tab, tap Schedule .
    The scheduler window will open.
  3. Set up the meeting details as needed, such as the title of the meeting, date and time, and meeting agenda.
  4. Tap Meeting settings.
  5. Tap Alternative hosts.
  6. Enter the name or email of each user you want to add as an alternative host. To add an alternative host, the user must be a Licensed user on the same account as you.
  7. Tap Done.
  8. (Optional) Tap the Allow the alternative host to manage this meeting's assets as a co-owner option to choose which meeting assets you want to allow the alternative host to manage:
    • Add or edit polls
    • Meeting summary
    • Meeting cloud recording
  9. Tap Save to finish scheduling.
    The alternative host will receive an email letting them know that they have been added as an alternative host, as long as they have not disabled this email notification in the Zoom web portal.
Outlook Plugin

Learn how to schedule using the Outlook Plugin.

  1. Click Schedule a Meeting.
  2. In the Scheduling Options, enter the alternative host's email address in the Alternative hosts field.
    Note: You will not be able to add an alternative host that's not a Licensed user in the same account.
  3. (Optional) Select the check box to enable Allow alternative hosts to add or edit polls.
  4. After selecting your other options, click Continue.
  5. Add the meeting invitees and Save or Send your invitation.
Google Chrome Extension
  1. Sign in to the Chrome Extension.
  2. Click Schedule Meeting.
  3. In the Scheduling Options, enter the alternative host's email address in the Alternative hosts field.
    Note: You will not be able to add an alternative host that's not a Licensed user in the same account.
  4. (Optional) Select the check box to enable Allow alternative hosts to add or edit polls.
  5. Click Continue.
  6. After finishing the invitation, click Save.
Firefox Add-on
  1. Sign in to the Firefox Add-on.
  2. Click Schedule Meeting.
  3. The Scheduling Options should appear. If the scheduling options don't appear automatically, click the add-on and the gear icon.
  4. Enter the alternative host's email address in the Alternative hosts field.
    Note: You will not be able to add an alternative host that's not a Licensed user in the same account.
  5. (Optional) Select the check box to enable Allow alternative hosts to add or edit polls.
  6. (Optional) Check Allow me to specify each time if you always want to be prompted to enter in Alternative Hosts.
  7. Click Save Changes.
  8. After finishing the invitation, click Save.

How to troubleshoot issues with designating an alternative host