Using Zoom Events lobby chat

Chat in an event allows attendees to interact with each other, in addition to giving the hosts and exhibitors the opportunity to communicate with their attendees. To use the chat feature as an attendee, Zoom Events chat must be enabled for your account.

Upon entering an event, attendees will see the default Lobby Chat in the right panel.

Notes:

This article covers:

Prerequisites for using an event's lobby chat

How to use an event lobby chat for the desktop client

Understand the chat panel's navigation view in the desktop client

In the Chat panel's navigation view, attendees will see chat notifications. Private chats have numbered notifications (e.g. 1:1) and public chats have general notifications (e.g. lobby chats).

Additionally, when you view the list of all attendees in chat, you can see the number of event participants. After 1,000 users join the lobby chat, the total number of participants will be displayed as 1,000+, 2,000+, and so on.

Note: The first five avatars displayed at the top of the list will be users with special roles in the event, followed by the most recent active participants; hover your mouse over an avatar to see the user's profile card. The special roles will be listed by order of priority:

  1. Host
  2. Moderator
  3. Speaker
  4. Exhibitor (and sponsors)
  5. Interpreter

When you're in a chat, the back navigation arrow back-arrow-button.png will always be visible. Click this to enter the navigation view from a chat view. The navigation view includes:

  • Lobby Chat channel: When you click this, you enter the lobby chat.
  • Event Staff Chat: Special-role users can use Event Staff Chat, a space for special-role users to facilitate extra communication, before, during, and after the event through the Event Portal.
  • Connections: When you click this, you will view your list of connections, at this event, and any pending connection requests.
  • Matching: When looking to connect with other event attendees, you can use the Matching feature so that you see the profile cards of recommended attendees—based on interests similar to yours—to connect with.
  • Chats: This includes all 1:1 chats at this event. You can click this dropdown to expand or minimize your 1:1 chats. When you click a chat, you will enter that specific chat channel.
  • Exhibitors: This includes the chat channel for each exhibitor/sponsor that you interact with. You can click the Exhibitors dropdown to expand or minimize your exhibitor's/sponsors' chats. When you click a chat, you will enter that specific chat channel.

View active users in chat

At the top of your current chat channel, other attendees' avatars are displayed, along with the number of active participants in chat. When you click the active number, the chat's participant list will appear, displaying all chat participants in your current chat. In the chat's participant list, attendees' Zoom Events names and avatars are shown.

With the participant list, you can view the following:

  • All chat participants in your current chat (up to 100 participants) in a single-scrolled list
  • Participants ordered alphabetically (based on first name)
  • Search bar (to search by a participant's name)

Additionally, in the participant list, you can hover your mouse over a participant's avatar to display their profile card.

Note: This feature is limited to active chat participants only (people who actually sent messages in chat) and to the 100 last active people (maximum).

View special role users in chat

Special role users in the chat will be differentiated by a different bubble color with their role displayed next to their name.

These special roles will be differentiated in the chat:

  • Host
    • Host
    • Alternative host
  • Speaker
    • Panelist
    • Primary speaker
    • Speaker
  • Exhibitor
    • Exhibitor/sponsor
    • Representative
  • Moderator
  • Interpreter

How to use chat on the desktop client

  1. Join an event lobby.
  2. In the Chat panel, find and click the chat that you want to access.
  3. View, enter, and reply to chat messages in the chat channel.
    Other event participants will see your messages; they can react and respond to your messages.
  4. Hover your mouse over a message and do the following actions:
    • Click the reply button to directly reply under a message.
    • Click the reaction button reaction-button-chat.png to send a reaction to other participants' chat messages.
    • Click the ellipsis more-button.png to CopyEdit, or Delete your message.
  5. (Optional) To upload files (in a private chat), click the file upload button files-button.png, select your file, then press Enter to send your file.
    Note: Attendees can upload files in private chats only.
  6. (Optional) To send an emoji in a chat, click the emoji button under the chat box, select the emoji you want to send, then press Enter to send the emoji.
  7. (Optional) Share a deeplink in the chat.
  8. (Optional) To copy an image in chat:
    1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the ellipsis
      You can also right-click the image.
    2. Click Copy.
      You can copy and paste the image.
  9. (Optional) To download an image or GIF in chat:
    • Download an image using the download icon:
      1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the download icon
      2. Choose the location where you will save the image.
      3. (Optional) Enter a file name for the image.
      4. Click Save.
    • Use the action menu:
      1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the ellipsis .
        You can also right-click the image.
      2. Click Save As.
      3. Choose the location where you will save the image.
      4. (Optional) Enter a file name for the image.
      5. Click Save.
  10. In the top left of the chat view, click the back back-arrow-button.png arrow to return to the Chat panel's navigation view.
  11. To upload files (in a private chat), click the file upload files-button.png button , then select your file.
    Note: Attendees can upload files in private chats only.

Notes:

  • Attendees can only send URLs and upload files in private chats only.
  • Hosts and moderators can upload files and send URLs in public chats.

How to add contacts from chat

You can add other attendees as contacts directly from the lobby chat.

How to upload files as a speaker or exhibitor to a chat

The speaker and exhibitor special roles can upload files in chats to share information with attendees.

  1. In a chat conversation, and below the text-entry box, click the file icon .
  2. Select the storage platform the file is located in.
  3. Locate the file, then select the file.
  4. Click Open.
  5. Press Enter or click the send icon .

How to report a user

  1. In a chat conversation, hover your mouse next to the user's name.
  2. Hover over and click the ellipses more-button.png.
  3. Click Report User.
  4. In the What happened? box, click the dropdown menu and select an option.
    • (Optional) Check Include desktop screenshot to provide a screenshot with the report.
    • (Optional) Click View Screenshot to view the screenshot you are including.
  5. In the Report to box, click the dropdown menu and select an option.
  6. Click the Submit button.

You will submit a report to the Trust & Safety team.

How to block a user

  1. In a chat conversation, hover your mouse next to a user's name.
  2. Hover over and click the ellipses more-button.png.
  3. Click Block User.

How to unconnect from a user

  1. In a chat conversation, hover your mouse next to a user's name.
  2. Hover over and click the ellipses more-button.png.
  3. Click Unconnect.

How to use an event lobby chat for the Zoom mobile app

Android | iOS

Zoom mobile app panel's navigation view

When you join the multiple sessions or single session lobby on the Zoom mobile app, you can use the Chat tab (accessed from the bottom navigation bar) to view all your chats and connections.

In the Chat panel's navigation view, attendees will see chat notifications. Private chats have numbered notifications (e.g. 1:1) and public chats have general notifications (e.g. lobby chats).

Additionally, when you view the list of all attendees in chat, you can see the number of event participants. After 1,000 users join the lobby chat, the total number of participants will be displayed as 1,000+, 2,000+, and so on.

Note: The first five users displayed at the top of the list will be users with special roles in the event, followed by the most recent active participants; hover your mouse over an avatar to see the user's profile card. The special roles will be listed by order of priority:

  1. Host
  2. Moderator
  3. Speaker
  4. Exhibitor (and sponsors)
  5. Interpreter

When you're in a chat, the back navigation arrow back-arrow-button.png will always be visible; tap this to enter the navigation view from a chat view. The navigation view includes:

  • Lobby Chat channel: When you tap this, you enter the lobby chat.
  • Connections: When you click this, you will view your list of connections, at this event, and any pending connection requests.
  • Chats: This includes all 1:1 chats at this event. You can click this dropdown to expand or minimize your 1:1 chats. When you click a chat, you will enter that specific chat channel.

View special role users in chat

Special role users in the chat will be differentiated by a different bubble color with their role displayed next to their name.

These special roles will be differentiated in the chat:

  • Host
    • Host
    • Alternative host
  • Speaker
    • Panelist
    • Primary speaker
    • Speaker
  • Moderator
  • Interpreter

View active users in chat

At the top of your current chat channel, other attendees' avatars are displayed, along with the number of active participants in the chat. When you tap the active number, the chat's participant list will appear, displaying all chat participants in your current chat. In the chat's participant list, attendees' Zoom Events names and avatars are shown.

With the participant list, you can view the following:

  • All chat participants in your current chat (up to 100 participants) are in a single-scrolled list.
  • Participants are ordered alphabetically (based on first name).
  • Search bar (to search by a participant's name).

Additionally, in the participant list, you can hover your mouse over a participant's avatar to display their profile card. 

Note: This feature is limited to active chat participants only (people who actually sent messages in chat) and to the 100 last active people (maximum).

How to use chat

Notes:

  • Attendees can only send URLs and upload files in private chats.
  • Hosts and moderators can upload files and send URLs in public chats.
  1. Join an event lobby on the Zoom mobile app.
  2. On the bottom navigation menu, tap Chat.
  3. Find and tap the chat that you want to access.
  4. View, enter, and reply to chat messages in the chat channel.
    Other event participants will see your messages; they can react and respond to your messages.
  5. Tap a message and do the following actions:
    • Tap the reply button to directly reply under a message.
    • Tap the reaction button reaction-button-chat.png to send a reaction to other participants' chat messages.
    • Tap the ellipsis more-button.png to CopyEdit, or Delete your message.
  6. (Optional) To upload files (in a private chat), tap the add button add-button-with-circle-border.png, then tap the file upload button files-button.png to select your file.
    Note: Attendees can upload files in private chats only.
  7. (Optional) To send an emoji in a chat, tap the emoji button in the chat box, select the emoji you want to send, then tap the send button to send the emoji.
  8. (Optional) Share a deeplink in the chat.
  9. (Optional) To copy an image in chat:
    • Use the action menu when pressing down on an image:
      1. Press down on the image until the action menu appears.
      2. Tap Copy.
        You can copy and paste the image.
    • Use the action menu when enlarging an image:
      1. Tap the image.
        The image will be enlarged.
      2. In the bottom-right corner, tap the ellipsis , then tap Copy.
        You can copy and paste the image.
  10. (Optional) To download an image or GIF in chat:
    • Use the action menu when pressing down on an image:
      1. Press down on the image until the action menu appears.
      2. Tap Save Image
        The image will be saved to your device.
    • Use the action menu when enlarging an image:
      1. Tap the image.
        The image will be enlarged.
      2. In the bottom-right corner, tap the ellipsis , then tap Save Image .
        The image will be saved to your device.
  11. In the top-left of the chat view, click the back arrow back-arrow-button.png to return to the Chat panel's navigation view.

Add contacts from chat

Notes:

  • When you start a new 1:1 chat with an attendee who is not connected with you, you will have the options to Say Hi! or Connect in the new 1:1 chat with them.
  • When you accept a connection, you will share your profile and contact information with this person.
  • When you are chatting 1:1 with another attendee who requested to connect with you, you will see Connection request along with the Ignore and Accept buttons at the top of your 1:1 chat with them.

Attendees can add contacts from chat. They must view another participant’s profile card. Attendees can tap another participant's profile card and tap to Add Contact. If the recipient accepts, they will become a connection to the attendee.

Attendees can also view their connections and connection requests in the Connections chat channel. 

How to upload files as a speaker or exhibitor to a chat

The speaker and exhibitor special roles can upload files in chats to share information with attendees.

  1. In a chat conversation, in the chat box, tap the add button add-button-with-circle-border.png, then tap the upload file icon files-button.png.
  2. Select the storage platform the file is located in.
  3. Locate the file, then select the file.
  4. Tap Open.
    The file will appear in the chat box.
  5. Tap the send icon .

Additional chat list actions

  1. In a chat conversation, to the right of a user's name, tap the 3 vertical dots more-button-vertical.png.
    • Choose from the following actions:
      • Start a group chat: You can start a group chat by adding other participants to a chat channel.
      • Report User: You will submit a report to the Trust & Safety team. Follow the prompts to submit the report and attach a screenshot of the incident.
      • Block User: By blocking this person, they can no longer send you any chat messages and the person's name will be removed from your chat list (and your name will be removed from their chat list).
      • Unconnect: This removes the contact from your connections list in chat. The contact will no longer have access to your profile and contact information.

How to use an event lobby chat for the web browser

Web

How to use an event lobby chat on desktop and mobile web browsers

To use the chat feature as an attendee, your account admin must have the Zoom Chat feature enabled for your account.

Notes:

  • If the host creating the event has chat disabled (either in their personal settings or by the account admin), chat will not be available for the event.
  • If a user has their chat disabled (either in personal settings or by their account administrator), they will not be able to participate in chat regardless of the host settings.
  • Upon entering the event, attendees will see the default Lobby Chat in the right panel.

Desktop web browser chat panel's navigation view

In the Chat panel's navigation view, attendees will see chat notifications. Private chats have numbered notifications (e.g. 1:1) and public chats have general notifications (e.g. lobby chats).

Additionally, when you view the list of all attendees in chat, you can see the number of event participants. After 1,000 users join the lobby chat, the total number of participants will be displayed as 1,000+, 2,000+, and so on.

Note: The first five users displayed at the top of the list will be users with special roles in the event, followed by the most recent active participants; hover your mouse over an avatar to see the user's profile card. The special roles will be listed by order of priority:

  1. Host
  2. Moderator
  3. Speaker
  4. Exhibitor (and sponsors)
  5. Interpreter

When you're in a chat, the back navigation arrow back-arrow-button.png will always be visible; click this to enter the navigation view from a chat view. The navigation view includes:

  • Lobby Chat channel: When you click this, you enter the lobby chat.
  • Event Staff Chat: Special-role users can use Event Staff Chat, a space for special-role users to facilitate extra communication, before, during, and after the event through the Event Portal.
  • Connections: When you click this, you will view your list of connections, at this event, and any pending connection requests.
  • Matching: When looking to connect with other event attendees, you can use the Matching feature so that you see the profile cards of recommended attendees—based on interests similar to yours—to connect with.
  • Chats: This includes all 1:1 chats at this event. You can click this dropdown to expand or minimize your 1:1 chats. When you click a chat, you will enter that specific chat channel.
  • Exhibitor: This includes the chat channel for each exhibitor/sponsor that you interact with. You can click the Exhibitors dropdown to expand or minimize your exhibitor's/sponsors' chats. When you click a chat, you will enter that specific chat channel.

View special role users in chat

Special role users in the chat will be differentiated by a different bubble color with their role displayed next to their name.

These special roles will be differentiated in the chat:

  • Host
    • Host
    • Alternative host
  • Speaker
    • Panelist
    • Primary speaker
    • Speaker
  • Exhibitor
    • Exhibitor/Sponsor
    • Representative
  • Moderator
  • Interpreter

View active users in chat

At the top of your current chat channel, other attendees' avatars are displayed, along with the number of active participants in chat. When you click the active number, the chat's participant list will appear, displaying all chat participants in your current chat. In the chat's participant list, attendees' Zoom Events names and avatars are shown.

With the participant list, you can view the following:

  • All chat participants in your current chat (up to 100 participants) in a single-scrolled list
  • Participants ordered alphabetically (based on first name)
  • Search bar (to search by a participant's name)

Additionally, in the participant list, you can hover your mouse over a participant's avatar to display their profile card. 

Note: This feature is limited to active chat participants only (people who actually sent messages in chat) and to the 100 last active people (maximum).

Mobile web browser chat panel's navigation view

When you join the multiple sessions or single session lobby on your mobile device's web browser, a floating action button expo-chat.png will appear at the bottom left of your screen. This button will open chat and allow you to enter chat when chat is minimized. When you are in chat, a floating action button expo-exit-chat.png to minimize chat (while chat is maximized) will appear at the bottom left corner of your screen.

The mobile web browser chat contains the same functionalities as the desktop web browser chat's navigation view.

View active users in chat

At the top of your current chat channel, click the 3 vertical dots more-button-vertical.png, then click View Participants. The chat's participant list will appear, displaying all chat participants in your current chat. In the chat's participant list, attendees' Zoom Events names and avatars are shown.

With the participant list, you can view the following:

  • All chat participants in your current chat (up to 100 participants) in a single-scrolled list
  • Participants ordered alphabetically (based on first name)
  • Search bar (to search by a participant's name)

Note: This feature is limited to active chat participants only (people who actually sent messages in chat) and to the 100 last active people (maximum).

How to use chat

Notes:

  • Attendees can only send URLs and upload files in private chats.
  • Hosts and moderators can upload files and send URLs in public chats.

Desktop web browser

  1. Join an event lobby.
  2. In the Chat panel, find and click the chat that you want to access.
  3. View, enter, and reply to chat messages in the chat channel.
    Other event participants will see your messages; they can react and respond to your messages.
  4. Hover your mouse over a message and do the following actions:
    • Click the reply button to directly reply under a message.
    • Click the reaction button reaction-button-chat.png to send a reaction to other participants' chat messages.
    • Click the ellipsis more-button.png to CopyEdit, or Delete your message.
  5. (Optional) To upload files (in a private chat), click the file upload button files-button.png, then select your file.
    Note: Attendees can upload files in private chats only.
  6. (Optional) To send an emoji in a chat, click the emoji button under the chat box, select the emoji you want to send, then press Enter to send the emoji.
  7. (Optional) Share a deeplink in the chat.
  8. (Optional) To copy an image in chat:
    1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the ellipsis
      You can also right-click the image.
    2. Click Copy.
      You can copy and paste the image.
  9. (Optional) To download an image or GIF in chat:
    • Download an image using the download icon:
      1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the download icon
      2. Choose the location where you will save the image.
      3. (Optional) Enter a file name for the image.
      4. Click Save.
    • Use the action menu:
      1. Hover your mouse over the image, then click the ellipsis .
        You can also right-click the image.
      2. Click Save As.
      3. Choose the location where you will save the image.
      4. (Optional) Enter a file name for the image.
      5. Click Save.
  10. In the top left of the chat view, click the back arrow back-arrow-button.png to return to the Chat panel's navigation view.

Mobile web browser

  1. Join an event lobby from your mobile device.
  2. Tap the floating chat icon expo-chat.png.
  3. Find and tap the chat that you want to access.
  4. View, enter, and reply to chat messages in the chat channel.
    Other event participants will see your messages; they can react and respond to your messages.
  5. Tap a message and do the following actions:
    • Tap the reply button to directly reply under a message.
    • Tap the reaction button reaction-button-chat.png to send a reaction to other participants' chat messages.
    • Tap the ellipsis more-button.png to CopyEdit, or Delete your message.
  6. (Optional) To upload files (in a private chat), tap the file upload button files-button.png to select your file.
    Note: Attendees can upload files in private chats only.
  7. (Optional) To send an emoji in a chat, tap the emoji button in the chat box, select the emoji you want to send, then tap the send button to send the emoji.
  8. (Optional) Share a deeplink in the chat.
  9. (Optional) To copy an image in chat:
    • Use the action menu when pressing down on an image:
      1. Press down on the image until the action menu appears.
      2. Tap Copy.
        You can copy and paste the image.
    • Use the action menu when enlarging an image:
      1. Tap the image.
        The image will be enlarged.
      2. In the bottom-right corner, tap the ellipsis , then tap Copy.
        You can copy and paste the image.
  10. (Optional) To download an image or GIF in chat:
    • Use the action menu when pressing down on an image:
      1. Press down on the image until the action menu appears.
      2. Tap Save Image
        The image will be saved to your device.
    • Use the action menu when enlarging an image:
      1. Tap the image.
        The image will be enlarged.
      2. In the bottom-right corner, tap the ellipsis , then tap Save Image .
        The image will be saved to your device.
  11. In the top left of the chat view, click the back arrow back-arrow-button.png to return to the Chat panel's navigation view.

Add contacts from chat

Notes:

  • When you start a new 1:1 chat with an attendee who is not connected with you, you will have the options to Say Hi! or Connect in the new 1:1 chat with them.
  • When you accept a connection, you will share your profile and contact information with this person.
  • When you are chatting 1:1 with another attendee who requested to connect with you, you will see Connection request along with the Ignore and Accept buttons at the top of your 1:1 chat with them.

Attendees can add contacts from chat. They must view another participant’s profile card:

  • Desktop web browser: Attendees can access a profile card by hovering their mouse over an avatar in chat or expo. Then, they can request to Add Contact.
  • Mobile web browser: Attendees can tap another participant's profile card and tap to Add Contact.

If the recipient accepts, they will become a connection of the attendee.

How to upload files as a speaker or exhibitor to a chat

The speaker and exhibitor special roles can upload files in chats to share information with attendees.

  1. In a chat conversation, in the chat box box, click the file icon files-button.png.
  2. Select the storage platform the file is located in.
  3. Locate the file, then select the file.
  4. Click Open.
  5. Press Enter or click the send icon .

Additional chat list actions

Desktop web browser

  1. In a chat conversation, hover your mouse next to a user's name.
  2. Hover over and click the ellipses icon more-button.png.
    • Choose from the following actions:
      • Start a group chat: You can start a group chat by adding other participants to a chat channel.
      • Report User: You will submit a report to the Trust & Safety team. Follow the prompts to submit the report and attach a screenshot of the incident.
      • Block User: By blocking this person, they can no longer send you any chat messages and the person's name will be removed from your chat list (and your name will be removed from their chat list).
      • Unconnect: This removes the contact from your connections list in chat. The contact will no longer have access to your profile and contact information.

Mobile web browser

  1. In a chat conversation, to the right of a user's name, tap the 3 vertical dots more-button-vertical.png.
    • Choose from the following actions:
      • Start a group chat: You can start a group chat by adding other participants to a chat channel.
      • Report User: You will submit a report to the Trust & Safety team. Follow the prompts to submit the report and attach a screenshot of the incident.
      • Block User: By blocking this person, they can no longer send you any chat messages and the person's name will be removed from your chat list (and your name will be removed from their chat list).
      • Unconnect: This removes the contact from your connections list in chat. The contact will no longer have access to your profile and contact information.

How to use Zoom Events Chat Compose with AI Companion

Sometimes finding the right words can be challenging. Zoom Events Chat Compose with AI Companion leverages AI technology, which may include third-party models, to help you write lobby chat messages by using context from your conversation. You’ll maintain the ability to change messages by adding tone, inputting prompts, or changing the length of the message to give you confidence in what you’re communicating.

Additionally, hosts can manage compose with Zoom AI Companion for their event chat at the event level.

Learn more about enabling Zoom Events Compose with Zoom AI, using Zoom Events Chat Compose with AI Companion in lobby chat, other Zoom AI Companion features, and how Zoom AI Companion features handle your data.

How to archive Zoom Events chat

To enable Zoom Events archiving for an account, contact Zoom Support and request meeting and webinar archiving to be enabled for your account. If the request is approved, archiving will be enabled for the account, including for Zoom Events. Existing users that are already approved for archiving are automatically added to the Zoom Events archiving list.

Learn more about archiving for meetings and webinars and archiving indicators.

How to share deeplinks in chat

A deeplink is a type of link that—when clicked—takes a user to a specific location inside an app.

In Zoom Events, hosts and speakers can share deeplinks through the lobby chat to direct traffic and take attendees to a specific area in the event (e.g. Speakers page or Expo) or even to directly join a specific session The default areas you can create deeplinks for are:

You can also create deeplinks for any other area of the event by navigating to that area and selecting the Current page option in the deeplink tool. To create direct join deeplinks to specific sessions, you must access the session detail page and use the ellipsis menu.

Additionally, attendees can also generate and share deeplinks, but links will only be clickable in direct chats (attendees are not permitted to post clickable links in public chats, like the lobby).

Share a deep link from the chat window

  1. In the event lobby, start a chat conversation with a connection or access a chat channel.
  2. At the bottom of the chat window, click the Share Event Link icon link-button.png.
    A pop-up window will appear.
  3. In the pop-up window, click the dropdown menu, then select the session or page (within the event) that you want to share in the chat.
  4. Click the Share Link in Chat button.
  5. Click the send icon blue-send-icon-in-rounded-square.png.

Share a deeplink using the link tool

  1. Join the event lobby.
  2. In the top-right corner, click the link tool link-button.png.
    A pop-up window will appear.
  3. In the pop-up window, click the dropdown menu, then select the session or page (within the event) that you want to share in the chat.
  4. Click the Copy Link button.
    The selected page's URL will be copied.
  5. Paste the link and share the link.

Share a session join link copied from within the event

The direct join link can only be generated from the session detail page.

  1. Access the Sessions tab of the event lobby.
  2. Click the session you want to view.
    The session's details page will appear.
  3. At the top of the session's page, click the ellipsis more-button.png.
  4.  Under Share join link, click Copy Session Join Link.
    The direct link to the session will be copied to your computer's clipboard.
  5. Open the lobby chat and paste the copied link.
  6. Click the send icon .