Previewing your video before joining


When joining a meeting as an attendee, you can preview your video before you join. While previewing your video, you have the option to update video settings such as your virtual background or video filters. Additionally, you can test your video at any time when you are not in a meeting.

Note: If you are the host of a meeting, you will not be shown the Video Preview dialog before starting a meeting, however, you can test your video settings before you start the meeting.

Prerequisites for previewing your video before joining

Enabling video preview

  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video tab.
  4. Select the check box next to Always show video preview dialog when joining a video meeting.
    Note: If the Turn off my video when joining meeting setting is also enabled, you will not see the Video Preview dialog when joining a video meeting. You must disable this setting if you want to preview your video.
  5. Click ✖ to close.

Learn more about testing your video settings before a meeting.

Previewing your video before joining a meeting hosted by another user

  1. In the Zoom desktop client, join a meeting.
    Note: If you select the check box to Turn off my video in the Join Meeting dialog, you will join the meeting with your camera off and you will not be able to preview your video before joining. Clear this check box to preview your video.
  2. If prompted, enter the meeting passcode and click Join Meeting.
    The Video Preview dialog will open.
  3. The following options are available in the Video Preview dialog:
    • Always show video preview dialog when joining a video meeting: Clear this check box to disable the video preview feature in your settings. The next time you join a video meeting, you will not be shown the Video Preview dialog. Ensure that this check box is selected to keep the setting on.
    • (Virtual Background): Click the icon in the top-right corner to open settings. From there, you can change your virtual background and apply video enhancements such as filters and studio effects.
    • Join with Video: Click to join the meeting with your video on.
    • Join without Video: Click to join the meeting with your video off.
  4. Once you are in the meeting, you can choose to turn your camera on or off by clicking Start Video / Stop Video . Learn more about attendee controls in a meeting.

Android | iOS

Enabling video preview

  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. In the bottom-right corner, tap Settings . 
  3. Tap Meetings.
  4. Tap the toggle next to Always Show Video Preview to enable the setting.
    Note: If the Always Turn Off My Video setting is also enabled, you will not see the Video Preview dialog when joining a video meeting. You must tap the toggle to disable this setting if you want to preview your video.

Previewing your video before joining a meeting hosted by another user

  1. In the Zoom mobile app, join a meeting.
  2. If prompted, enter the meeting passcode and tap Continue.
  3. The following options are available in the Video Preview dialog:
    • Always show video preview dialog when joining a video meeting: Tap the toggle to disable the video preview feature in your settings. The next time you join a video meeting, you will not be shown the Video Preview dialog. To keep this setting enabled, ensure that the toggle is on.
    • (Virtual Background): Tap the icon in the top-left corner to open video settings. From there, you can change your virtual background and apply video filters. Tap ✖ to close this screen and go back to the Video Preview dialog.
    • Join with Video: Tap to join the meeting with your video on.
    • Join without Video: Tap to join the meeting with your video off.
  4. Once you are in the meeting, you can choose to turn your camera on or off by tapping Start Video / Stop Video . Learn more about attendee controls in a meeting.