Requesting or giving remote control

The remote control feature allows you to take control of another participant's screen in a Zoom meeting when they've given you permission. You can either request remote control of another participant's screen or the other participant can give control to you. Once given permission, you can control their mouse and keyboard, and even copy text from their screen to yours.

If you need admin functionality, such as the ability to restart another participant's computer, please refer to the Remote Support feature.

Note: For Mac OSX, you will need to give Zoom access in the Accessibility tab in the Privacy and Security preferences of your Mac. Learn more about Zoom access permissions in Security and Privacy.

Requirements for using the remote control feature in a Zoom meeting

Note: Only one participant can remote control another participant's screen at a time. 

Table of Contents

How to enable or disable remote control

Account

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an admin with the privilege to edit account settings.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Basic), click the Remote control toggle to enable or disable it.
  5. If a verification dialog appears, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
  6. (Optional) Select the check boxes next to the following options as needed, then click Save to confirm changes:
  7. (Optional) Click Customize Request to adjust the content of the request that the end user will see. For each supported language, you can adjust the title and body of the request and embed a link. A preview of the disclaimer is shown.
  8. (Optional) To prevent all users in the account from changing this setting, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.

You can also prevent external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting. Locate the Restrict external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting setting, then select any of the following check boxes as needed and click Save:

Group

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an administrator with the privilege to edit groups.
  2. In the navigation menu, click User Management then Groups.
  3. Click the applicable group name from the list.
  4. Click the Meeting tab.
  5. Under In Meeting (Basic), click the Remote control toggle to enable or disable it.
  6. If a verification dialog appears, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
    Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account level, and needs to be changed at that level by an account admin. 
  7. (Optional) Select the check boxes next to the following options as needed, then click Save to confirm changes:
  8. (Optional) Click Customize Request to adjust the content of the request that the end user will see. For each supported language, you can adjust the title and body of the request and embed a link. A preview of the disclaimer is shown.
  9. (Optional) To prevent all users in the group from changing this setting, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.

You can also prevent external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting. Locate the Restrict external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting setting, then select any of the following check boxes as needed and click Save:

User

  1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Settings.
  3. Click the Meeting tab.
  4. Under In Meeting (Basic), click the Remote control toggle to enable or disable it.
  5. If a verification dialog appears, click Enable or Disable to verify the change.
    Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account or group level, and needs to be changed at that level by an account admin. 
  6. (Optional) Select the check boxes next to the following options as needed, then click Save to confirm changes:

You can also prevent external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting. Locate the Restrict external users from using remote control and remote support in a meeting setting, then select any of the following check boxes as needed and click Save:

How to use remote control

Windows | macOS | Linux

Request remote control (Windows and macOS)

Users on Windows and macOS can request remote control from the host or another participant who is sharing their screen. If you joined a meeting on a Linux device, you cannot request remote control, it must be given to you.

  1. While viewing another participant's screen share, at the top of the meeting window, click the more icon located on their screen share tab.
    Note: This tab is often labeled as "[Name's] screen".
  2. Click Request remote control.
    Note: If you don't see this option, it may be disabled in the Zoom web portal, or the person is not sharing a supported item. For example, screen sharing a Zoom Doc does not support the remote control feature.
  3. Click Request to confirm.
    The person sharing their screen will receive a notification asking if they want to allow you to control their screen. If they approve the request, you will have remote control access to view and interact with their screen and install software or change settings.
  4. Click inside the screen share to start controlling the participant's screen.
    The name of the screen share tab at the top of the meeting window will update to Controlling [name]'s screen.
  5. (Optional) To stop remote control, more icon located on the screen share tab again and select Stop remote control.
    Note    : If another participant requests and is granted remote control of your screen, the remote control permission for the first participant will be revoked.

Approve or deny a remote control request

When another participant requests remote control of your shared screen, you will receive a pop-up notification indicating the user who is requesting remote control of your computer.

  1. Review the text in the pop-up notification. 
  2. (Optional) Select the check box to confirm that you know and trust the user.
    Note: This is required if you want to approve the request.
  3. Click Approve or Deny. 

Give remote control to another participant

While screen sharing, you can give remote control to another participant who is in the meeting. If the participant is on an iPad or an Android device, they can remote control your screen using their mobile device.

  1. While screen sharing, in the floating toolbar, click the Remote control icon .
    Note: If you don't see the Remote control option, click the More icon , then click Remote control. If you still don't see the Remote control option, it may be disabled in the Zoom web portal or you may not be sharing something that supports the remote control feature, such as a Zoom Doc.
  2. Under Give mouse/keyboard control to, select the participant you want to give remote control access to.
    The participant will be notified that they can control your screen and instructed to click anywhere on the shared screen to start control.
  3. (Optional) Click the following remote control options to enable or disable them:
    • Auto accept all requests: If enabled, a participant will bypass the approval process when they request remote control of your shared screen.
      Note: This feature is only available for users on the Zoom Workplace app version 6.1.0 or higher.
    • Share clipboard: If enabled, allows the participant with remote control access to copy text from your clipboard.
  4. To regain control, do any of the following:
    • Click anywhere on your screen. The other user can still restart remote control by clicking on their screen.
    • In the floating toolbar, click the Remote control icon , then click Stop remote control to regain control and not allow the other participant to start remote control again.
    • In the floating toolbar, click Stop share to stop sharing your screen, which will also stop the remote control.
Android | iOS

A participant who is screen sharing with the Zoom desktop app can only give you remote control. If you joined a meeting on an iPad or Android device, you cannot request remote control or give remote control, it must be given to you.

Note: Remote control is not supported on iPhones.

  1. After a participant gives you control, tap the remote icon to start remote control.
  2. Use these functions to control the participant's screen:
    • To enter text, tap the keyboard icon .
    • The mouse icon  shows where the mouse pointer is located. Tap and drag it to move the pointer.
      • Tap the screen with one finger to click the mouse
      • Double tap with one finger to double click the mouse
      • Long press the screen with one finger to right-click the mouse
      • Swipe with two fingers to scroll up and down
      • Pinch in and out with two fingers to zoom in and out

Tip: Use your mobile device in landscape to get a better view of the participant's screen share.