Joining a Zoom meeting

There are multiple ways to join a Zoom meeting. You can join a meeting through an email or calendar invite, an instant messaging invite, from a web browser, from the Zoom desktop and mobile application, from a landline or mobile phone, or with an SIP/H.323 device.

You can also join a test meeting to familiarize yourself with using Zoom, or join a meeting without an account.

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This article covers:

Prerequisites for joining a virtual meeting

How to join a meeting on the Zoom desktop or mobile app

Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you can download Zoom from the Download Center. Otherwise, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a join link.

  1. Open the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Join a meeting using one of these methods: 
    • If you want to join a meeting without signing in, click Join a Meeting.
    • If you want to join a meeting by signing in first:
      1. Sign in to the desktop app. 
      2. Click the Home tab.
      3. Click Join .
  3. Enter the meeting ID and your display name.
    • If you're signed in, change your name if you don't want your default name to appear.
    • If you're not signed in, enter a display name.
  4. Select if you would like to connect audio and/or video.
  5. Click Join.

Android | iOS

  1. Open the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Join a meeting using one of these methods:
    • If you want to join a meeting without signing in, tap Join meeting.
    • If you want to join a meeting by signing in first:
      1. Sign in to the mobile app.
      2. Tap Join .
  3. Enter the meeting ID number and your display name.
    • If you're signed in, change your name if you don't want your default name to appear.
    • If you're not signed in, enter a display name.
  4. Select if you would like to connect audio and/or video and tap Join Meeting.

How to join a Zoom meeting from a web browser

In a web browser, you can join a Zoom meeting by entering the meeting ID and choosing to open the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or join a meeting directly from a web browser without downloading any plugins or software.

Join a Zoom meeting from a browser and launch the Zoom app

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Go to join.zoom.us.
  3. Enter your meeting ID provided by the host/organizer.
  4. Click Join.
    Notes:
    • If this is your first time joining from Google Chrome, you will be asked to open the Zoom desktop app to join the meeting.
      • (Optional) Select the Always open these types of links in the associated app check box to skip this step in the future.
      • In the pop-up window, click Open Zoom Meetings (PC) or Open zoom.us (Mac).
    • If this is your first time joining from Firefox, you may be asked to open Zoom or the Zoom installer package.
      • To skip this step in the future, select the Remember my choice for zoommtg links check box.
      • Click Open Link.

Join a Zoom meeting without downloading or opening the Zoom app

The Zoom web app allows users to join a meeting from a web browser without downloading any plugins or software. The meeting host must enable Show a "Join from your browser" link for their participants. Learn more about using the Zoom web app. 

  1. Locate the meeting invite link from your email or calendar invitation.
  2. Click the join link to join the meeting.
    On your web browser, a pop-up window will prompt you to open or download the application.
  3. In the pop-up window, click Cancel.
  4. At the bottom of the page, click join from your browser.
    You will be directed to a new page.
  5. Click Allow to allow Zoom permission for your microphone and camera.
  6. Sign in with your name to join the meeting.
  7. (Optional) Select the Remember my name for future meetings check box.
  8. Click Join.

How to join a Zoom meeting through other methods

Email or calendar event

  1. In your email or calendar invitation, click the join link.
  2. Depending on your default web browser, click Allow if you are prompted to open Zoom.

Team Chat

If you are online with the Zoom desktop app or mobile app, contacts can invite you to the live meeting directly. You will receive an incoming message notification, displaying who is inviting you to the meeting, along with a ringtone. Click Accept to join the meeting with the person who is calling you.

Telephone

  1. On your phone, dial the teleconferencing number provided in your invite.
  2. Enter the meeting ID number when prompted using your dial pad.

Note: If you have already joined the meeting by computer, you will have the option to enter your 6-digit participant ID to be associated with your computer. If you have not joined on your computer, press # again when prompted to enter in your participant ID.

SIP/H.323

  1. Dial the IP address provided to you in the meeting invitation (requires Room Connector port add-on).
  2. Enter the meeting ID by touch (DTMF) tones followed by #.
    You can also use dial strings, such as 192.168.10.55##000111000 to join directly into the meeting.