Joining a Zoom Event without a Zoom account

If enabled by the event organizer, users without a Zoom account can access and join a Zoom Event by using their email address. Users without Zoom accounts can use the Zoom client even though they cannot log in to the client directly or even if they don't have a join link. They can use the one-time password (OTP) verification or manually sign in to the event with their email (via the app).

Guest users can register for paid Zoom Events and will receive the same payments and billing experience as other Zoom Events users. After authenticating their email, they will receive a ticket confirmation email and can access the Events Portal.

This article covers:

Prerequisites for joining a Zoom Event without a Zoom account

Note: For access to the latest Zoom Events and Webinar features, we strongly recommend hosts to update to the latest version of the Zoom desktop client/mobile application.

How to join a Zoom Event without a Zoom account

  1. Open your Zoom Events invitation email and click the join link.
    This will take you to the event. A join pop-up window will appear.
  2. Click Join Event.
  3. In your email account, open the verification email from Zoom Events to obtain your verification code.
  4. Return to the join pop-up window.
  5. In the Verification Code field, enter the verification code.
    You will be directed to the event lobby.

Android | iOS

Join a Zoom Event without a Zoom account on the Zoom mobile app

Manually join a Zoom Event without signing in

Users can participate in Zoom Events and join manually from the Zoom mobile app login screen without Zoom accounts. These guest users can register for the Zoom Event through a web browser, then download the Zoom mobile app and manually log in to the event with their email via the app.

  1. Download the latest version of the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Open the Zoom mobile app.
  3. Tap Join Meeting.
  4. Tap the Events tab.
  5. Enter the email address that you used to register for the Zoom Event.
  6. Tap Join Event.
    A verification code will be sent to your email address.
  7. Check your email for a verification code, then enter the verification code into the Zoom mobile app.
    You will be directed to the Zoom Event lobby.

Join Zoom Events using a direct join link

  1. Download the latest version of the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Access the join link from the event email, calendar entry, or QR code.
    You will be directed to the Zoom mobile app's join page.
  3. On the join page, tap Join with Email.
  4. Enter the email address that you used to register for the Zoom Event.
  5. Tap Join with Email.
    A verification code will be sent to your email address.
  6. Check your email for a verification code, then enter the verification code into the Zoom mobile app.
    You will be directed to the Zoom Event lobby.

Scan QR code to join a Zoom Event

  1. Scan the event QR code:
    • Scan the event QR code using the Zoom mobile app:
      1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
      2. Tap More .
      3. Under Other, tap Scan QR Code.
      4. If authentication is required for this event, follow the authentication flow (i.e., Zoom log-in, email verification, etc.).
        Note: If you are not logged in to the Zoom mobile app with the same Zoom account you used to register for the event, you will be directed to the mobile web browser for the authentication flow. This will also apply if you are trying to join an event on the web and are not logged in. After you authenticate your credentials, you will return to the mobile app.
    • Use your phone's camera to scan QR codes:
      1. Access your phone's camera.
      2. Use your camera to identify and scan the QR code.
      3. If a confirmation window appears, tap Open.
        You will be directed to the Zoom mobile app.
      4. If authentication is required for this event, follow the authentication flow (i.e., Zoom log-in, email verification, etc.).
        Note: If you are not logged in to the Zoom mobile app with the same Zoom account you used to register for the event, you will be directed to the mobile web browser for the authentication flow. This will also apply if you are trying to join an event on the web and are not logged in. After you authenticate your credentials, you will return to the mobile app.

Understand when the one-time password is required to join Zoom Events 

The one-time password (OTP) verification lasts for the entire event, not just a few hours, after the first login. Users can participate in Zoom Events through the Zoom mobile app and manually join without signing in multiple times during an event and even if they do not have a Zoom account. 

Users will remain logged in even if the app remains in the background for more than four hours. Authentication is maintained for the event duration (maximum of 7 days), even if the app is closed.

When a guest user actively leaves the event, OTP is required again.
Note: This does not apply if the user only minimizes the event or leaves the Zoom client running in the background.

When a signed-in user with a Zoom account leaves the event, OTP is not required because the user is signed in to the Zoom client and can use the existing Zoom app authorization.

How to use join links

If the host wants to make joining easier for attendees, the host can enable the fast-join (join without sign-in) option to issue fast-join links to event registrants. 

Attendees will provide their first and last names when they first join the event if the host didn’t provide them earlier.