After you’ve created a Zoom account and installed the application, it’s simple to host an instant meeting. An instant meeting allows you to immediately start a meeting without scheduling or inviting participants beforehand. You can also invite others anytime using host controls during your meeting.
Note: Instant meeting IDs generated from the Zoom desktop app or mobile app expire immediately after the meeting ends. Those scheduled through the API expire within 24 – 48 hours.
This article covers:
- How to start an instant meeting on the Zoom desktop app
- How to start an instant meeting on the Zoom mobile app
Prerequisites for hosting an instant meeting
- Zoom desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux: Global minimum version or higher
- Zoom mobile app for Android or iOS: Global minimum version or higher
How to start an instant meeting on the Zoom desktop app
Windows | 
macOS | 
LinuxNote: If you don’t have the Zoom desktop app installed, download and install it on your computer.
Home tab
- Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
- In the navigation menu, click the Home tab
- (Optional) Under New Meeting, click the down arrow icon
to get the following options:
- Start with video: Start an instant meeting with your video automatically enabled.
- Use My Personal Meeting ID: Allows you to use your PMI as the meeting ID for your personal meeting room
- Click New Meeting to start an instant meeting.
Note: By default, no one is invited to the meeting, so be sure to invite others to join.
Team Chat tab
- Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
- In the navigation menu, click the Team Chat tab
. - Select a contact or channel name to open a chat.
- (Optional) Next to the video camera icon
, click the down arrow icon to select the Meet with video option. - Click the video camera icon to start an instant meeting.
This instant meeting starts and will invite every member of that group chat or channel.
How to start an instant meeting on the Zoom mobile app
Android | Meetings tab
- Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
- Tap the Meetings tab , then select New Meeting.
-
(Optional) Toggle the following options to use them in your meeting:
-
Video on: Start an instant meeting with your video automatically turned on.
- Use personal meeting ID (PMI): Use your PMI as the meeting ID for your instant meeting.
-
- Once you’re done with the adjustments, select Start a meeting to host your instant meeting.
Note: By default, no one is invited to the meeting, so be sure to invite others to join.
Team Chat tab
- Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
- In the navigation menu, select the Team Chat tab .
- Tap a contact or channel name to open a chat.
- Tap the video camera icon to start an instant meeting.
This instant meeting will invite the contact or every member of that group chat or channel.