Using a companion Zoom Room

A Zoom Rooms for Touch device can be configured as a companion to an existing Zoom Room computer or appliance. This allows the Zoom Room to use the cameras of both devices. Companion Zoom Rooms have two configuration options: the default option only requires one Zoom Rooms license, and is meant for scenarios where the companion device will stay connected to the Zoom Room for an extended period of time, whereas the portable companion option requires one Zoom Rooms license for the companion and one for the room, but allows the device to easily transition between companion mode and standard Zoom Room mode. This means that the portable companion device can conveniently serve different purposes across several locations. 

This article covers:

• How to configure a companion Zoom Room
• How to configure a portable companion Zoom Room
  • Enable the setting for the main Zoom Room
  • Enable the setting for the portable companion Zoom Room
  • Enable companion mode on the device

Prerequisites for using a companion Zoom Room

Main Zoom Room computer or appliance

• Zoom Rooms version 6.2.0 or higher
• Zoom Rooms controller version 6.2.0 or higher
• Zoom Rooms license

Companion Zoom Room (Same as Zoom Rooms for Touch device)

• Zoom Rooms license (only required for portable option)
• System requirements overview
• Single touchscreen monitor or multiple monitors
• Zoom Rooms for Windows version 6.2.0 or higher 
  • Windows 10 OS or higher
  • The Windows PC must meet the system requirements for Zoom Rooms for the desired monitor count.
• Zoom Rooms Appliance Zoom Rooms version 6.2.0 or higher 
  • Not all Zoom Rooms Appliances have an integrated touch display, but external 3rd-party touch displays may be supported; consult the Appliance vendor documentation for external touch display support.
• Zoom Rooms for iPad version 6.2.0 or higher 
  • iPadOS version 14 or higher

Note: You can have up to three companion Zoom Rooms associated with a main Zoom Room. A companion whiteboard does not count towards this limit. 

How to configure a companion Zoom Room

1. Move your Zoom Rooms for Touch device into the area where you have your main Zoom Room setup.
2. Sign in to the Zoom Rooms for Touch device. 
3. Select the main Zoom Room you want to add the companion device to.
4. Tap Companion Zoom Rooms.
   Zoom Rooms will connect the companion device to the selected Zoom Room.

Note: Allow multi-camera mode must be enabled in the Zoom web portal in order to use the companion Zoom Room camera. 

How to configure a portable companion Zoom Room

Enable the setting for the main Zoom Room

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as a role with access to Zoom Rooms.
2. Click Room Management, then click Zoom Rooms.
3. Click Edit next to the room you want to use.
4. Click the toggle next to Allow a portable Companion Zoom Room to pair to the Zoom Room and configure the pairing options. 

Enable the setting for the portable companion Zoom Room

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as a role with access to Zoom Rooms.
2. Click Room Management, then click Zoom Rooms.
3. Click Edit next to the room you want to use as a portable companion.
4. Click Devices, then click the toggle next to Allow portable Companion Zoom Room mode.

Note: If you want your device to function as a main Zoom Room and a portable companion Zoom Room, Click the toggle next to Allow a portable Companion Zoom Room to pair to the Zoom Room and configure the pairing options. Both modes cannot be used simultaneously. 

Enable companion mode on the device

1. Move your Zoom Rooms for Touch device into the area where you have your main Zoom Room setup.
2. Sign in to the Zoom Rooms for Touch device. 
3. Tap Switch to Companion Zoom Room.
4. Follow the instructions onscreen to pair with the main room.
5. The device will pair to the main Zoom Room based on the configuration options selected in the Zoom web portal:
   • Remain paired until manually unpaired
   • Automatically unpair:
     • Automatically unpair when meeting ends
     • Automatically unpair (set hours) after inactivity
     • Automatically unpair after (set number) day(s)
     • Automatically unpair after operating hours
   • Ask whether to keep pairing after meeting ends
6. (Optional): Tap Exit Companion Zoom Room to return to the standard Zoom Room mode. 

Note: Allow multi-camera mode must be enabled in the Zoom web portal in order to use the companion Zoom Room camera.