Getting started with Zoom Apps


Zoom Apps combine your favorite apps with the power of video communications by allowing you to access them directly in your Zoom desktop client and meetings, webinars, and Zoom Events. With Zoom Apps, you can streamline workflows, collaborate with colleagues, and also bring elements of fun and wellness into your interactions with colleagues, friends, and family members. This article provides details on how to install and use Zoom Apps in the desktop and mobile apps, outside of and during meetings.

These apps, reviewed and approved by Zoom, are available for installation directly in the desktop client or from the Zoom Marketplace. Once installed, work on projects with the app directly in the Zoom desktop client, or launch a meeting with the opened app and invite others to view and collaborate with you.

We have more information regarding admin deployment and and pre-approval of Zoom Apps, as well as other frequently asked questions.

This article covers:

Prerequisites for installing and accessing Zoom Apps

Zoom Apps support in Meetings

Zoom Apps support in Breakout Rooms

Zoom Apps support in Webinars

Note: If you do not see Zoom Apps in the desktop client, please contact an account admin to have this feature enabled.

How to install Zoom Apps

Zoom Apps can be installed before a meeting through the App Marketplace, on the desktop client in the Apps tab, or during a live meeting.

Note: Zoom Apps cannot be installed directly through the Zoom mobile app, but Zoom Apps already installed on the desktop client or in the Marketplace can be opened and used. 

Installing a Zoom App in a meeting or webinar

  1. Start a meeting.
  2. Click the Apps option.
  3. Click Discover.
  4. In the Discover section, browse through the featured apps.
  5. Next to the name of the app, click View to view more details, then click Add to install the app.
  6. Follow the authorization steps shown on the screen. These may vary depending on the App you are installing.
    Note: Installing and accessing Zoom Apps when in Breakout Rooms requires version 5.8.3 or higher.

Installing a Zoom App on the desktop client

  1. Open the Zoom desktop client.
  2. Sign in to your account.
  3. Click the Apps tab.
  4. On the Discover tab, view available Apps for installation.
  5. Next to the name of the app, click View to view more details, then click Add to install the app.
    A web page will launch for you to authorize the app to have access to the necessary account information. Follow the instructions provided.
    Note: If you see the Request pre-approve option instead, your account owner or admin must approve the app before it can be installed. Click Request pre-approve to send a request to your owner/admin.

Installing a Zoom App from the Marketplace

  1. Sign in to the App Marketplace.
  2. Search for apps by entering text into the search bar, selecting a category, or filtering the apps that are currently displayed.
  3. After performing a search, click the app icon to select it.
  4. Click Install.
    Once installed, the Zoom App is available in the desktop client for use in a meeting.
    Note: If you see the Request pre-approve option instead, your account owner or admin must approve the app before it can be installed. Click Request pre-approve to send a request to your owner/admin.

How to open Zoom Apps

Zoom Apps can be launched during a live meeting to promote collaboration on a project in the Zoom App, or you can use the Zoom App in the desktop client outside of a meeting.

Opening a Zoom App outside of a meeting

  1. Click the Apps tab.
  2. Click My Apps to view apps you have already installed.
  3. Find the App you would like to use and click Open next to the App.
    The Zoom App will open within the Zoom window.
  4. (Optional) To switch between multiple open apps, click the next to the name of the App at the top of the window and select another opened App.
  5. (Optional) In the top-left corner, click My Apps to return to the list of installed apps to open another app.
    Once the App is opened, you have the additional following options:
    • Start Meeting: Start an instant meeting and invite others to begin collaborating. Any currently open apps are automatically opened in the meeting, and the Invite window appears to choose other contacts to join the meeting and collaborate.
    • Send: Invite others to use the opened App and collaborate with you outside of a meeting. These recipients will be notified through a chat message. Recipients of the request must also install and authorize the Zoom App.
    • More :
      • Open in a New Window: Open the app in a new window, which can be moved and resized independently of the Zoom desktop client.
      • Refresh App
      • Close

Note: Each app will have additional options and abilities beyond what is listed here, and these will vary from app to app. Refer to the Zoom Apps' dedicated documentation to learn more. 

Opening a Zoom App in a meeting or webinar

Zoom Apps can be opened in the client and then brought into a session, or started during an active session as needed.

Access to Zoom Apps in meetings and webinars is primarily restricted by the presence of the meeting host, or specifically, the user that the meeting belongs to, rather than whichever participant currently has the host role. Zoom Apps may require access to meeting and webinar information that only the original host would normally be able to provide, thus those Zoom Apps can only be used in the meeting or webinar when the host is currently present. Other Zoom Apps requiring less information access can be used without the host present, but are limited in what they can achieve.

Additionally, the host may immediately suspend all use of Zoom Apps, at any time, through the in-meeting security controls.

  1. Start a meeting or webinar.
  2. On the control toolbar, click Apps .
  3. Click My Apps to view apps you have already installed.
  4. Click the App you would like to use and it will open in the side panel.
    Note: You may not be able to use certain Zoom Apps without the owner of the meeting/webinar present.
  5. (Optional) To switch between multiple open apps, click the next to the name of the App at the top of the panel and select another opened App.
    Once the App is opened, you have the additional following options:
    • Collaborate: Allows you to invite others to collaborate directly on the content within the Zoom App you currently have open. This allows those users to view, edit, and add content to the document or project, rather than sharing and annotating or using remote control.
    • Note: This requires version 5.9.3 or higher and not all Zoom Apps support this feature, so this may not appear for all Zoom Apps.
    • Share: Begin sharing your view of the app with meeting participants. Clicking the next to share also provides the options to share with computer audio as well.
    • Send: Invite other participants to install and use the app collaboratively. The user can choose Send to all or Select participants... Participants will be notified of the invitation to use the Zoom app with a banner and chat message, then must also install and authorize the Zoom App.
    • Expand: Increases the side of the Zoom App panel to facilitate ease of use of the opened app. Clicking Collapse reverts the size back to its original size.

Notes:

  • Each app will have additional options and abilities beyond what is listed here, and these will vary from app to app. Refer to the Zoom Apps' dedicated documentation to learn more. 
  • Some Apps will allow collaboration by sharing alone, without having to install the App.
  • If you are not on the required desktop client version, the app message in chat will appear as “[Upgrade to the latest version to see this message]”.

Opening a Zoom App from the App Dock

Users on an account with access to the Essential Apps bundle will see these apps within a meeting on the App Dock, located on the right-side of the meeting window. This provides quick and easy access to these premium Zoom App offerings. 

  1. Sign in to the desktop client. 
  2. Start or join a meeting. 
    The App Dock will be displayed on the right-side of the meeting window. 
  3. Click an app icon from the list. 
    Apps listed with a + next to their icon indicate that you have yet to install this app. 
  4. (Optional) Click the Add icon to install the app, or click Request to request an admin to approve the app for use.

Learn how to customize the app dock.

Opening a Zoom App in Guest mode

Guest Mode is when a meeting participant is able to use an app without Zoom giving the app full access to the participant's Zoom account data. This allows the app to provide an interactive experience without all participants having to add the app themselves. Apps still need some participant data in order to operate.

Note: Guest mode must be enabled and allowed by the App developer, so this may not be available for use in all apps. 

In guest mode, Apps may access:

  • Basic Profile Information
    This only includes the participant’s display name.
  • Basic Browser and Device Data
    Apps use web browser technology to function, and like other web browsers, they receive a participant’s IP address and can store cookies on their device.
  • Basic Information about how you interact with Zoom
    Apps can receive basic information about how a participant interacts with Zoom, such as reactions and when they turn their camera or microphone on or off.
    Performance statistics
    Apps can also collect performance statistics on how well the app is functioning.

Note: It is important to remember that Apps may also have access information about you or others that you, the host, or other third-parties directly or indirectly shared with the App. For example, a host can share your email and profile information with the App if the host or their account owner has access to it.

You can always learn more about specific apps on their listing page through Zoom’s App Marketplace.

Opening a Zoom App outside of a meeting

  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Tap the More  tab.
  3. Tap the Apps tab.
    Your installed app will be listed. Apps greyed out are currently not supported on mobile. 
    Note: If you do not have any apps installed, you will need to install them through the desktop client or Marketplace directly
  4. Tap an installed Zoom App to open. 
    Once the App is opened, you have the additional following options:
    • Send: Invite others to use the opened App and collaborate with you. The following options are provided: 
      • Invite User to Use: Sends an invitation to the user to install and open this app. 
      • Copy Link: Copies a link to the Marketplace page for the app, which can be shared with others. 
      • More Options: Opens the iOS sharing options. 
    • More :
      • Start Meeting : Start an instant meeting and invite others to begin collaborating. Any currently open apps are automatically opened in the meeting, and the Invite window appears to choose other contacts to join the meeting and collaborate.
      • Refresh App : Reload the currently opened app. 
      • Close: Close the current app. 

Note: Each app will have additional options and abilities beyond what is listed here, and these will vary from app to app. Refer to the Zoom Apps' dedicated documentation to learn more. 

Opening a Zoom App in a meeting or webinar

Zoom Apps can be opened in the app and then brought into a session, or started during an active session as needed.

Access to Zoom Apps in meetings and webinars is primarily restricted by the presence of the meeting host, or specifically, the user that the meeting belongs to, rather than whichever participant currently has the host role. Zoom Apps may require access to meeting and webinar information that only the original host would normally be able to provide, thus those Zoom Apps can only be used in the meeting or webinar when the host is currently present. Other Zoom Apps requiring less information access can be used without the host present, but are limited in what they can achieve.

Additionally, the host may immediately suspend all use of Zoom Apps, at any time, through the in-meeting security controls.

  1. Start a meeting or webinar.
  2. On the control toolbar, tap Apps.
  3. Your installed app will be listed. Apps greyed out are currently not supported on mobile. 
    Notes:
    • If you do not have any apps installed, you will need to install them through the desktop client or Marketplace directly
    • You may not be able to use certain Zoom Apps without the owner of the meeting/webinar present.
  4. Tap an installed app to open. 
    Once the App is opened, you have the additional following options:
    • Send: Invite other participants to install and use the app collaboratively. The user can choose Send to all or Select participants... Participants will be notified of the invitation to use the Zoom app with a banner and chat message, then must also install and authorize the Zoom App.
    • More :
      • Share : Begin sharing your view of the app with meeting participants. Clicking the next to share also provides the options to share with computer audio as well.
      • Refresh App : Reload the currently opened app. 
      • Close: Close the current app. 

Notes:

  • Some Apps will allow collaboration by sharing alone, without having to install the App.
  • If you are not on the required desktop client version, the app message in chat will appear as “[Upgrade to the latest version to see this message]”.