Using Zoom Phone push-to-talk

Zoom Phone push-to-talk (PTT) is the classic walkie-talkie solution used by front-line workers in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and many more industries. This feature allows users to quickly receive a message or command a message to another group of users in real-time. Zoom introduced a push-to-talk solution built into the Zoom app, which can run on smart mobile devices. This reduces the amount of hardware companies need to purchase and deploy.

Users can see and join PTT channels, and leave and join other channels they are members of. The feature has a maximum member limitation of 255 in total and a single channel online active member limitation of 20. Incoming phone calls or meetings are prioritized over PTT audio.

Note: While members from different sites can be added to a common channel, the members should belong to the same SIP zone for audio quality reasons.

Requirements for using Zoom Phone push-to-talk

Table of Contents

Types of users for Zoom Phone push-to-talk

The following users can use Zoom Phone push-to-talk:

Admins

Account owners and admins can create multiple channels with a channel name and customize them for their workflows using their terms. They can adds members to the channel, which allows for targeted members and customization. 

The members can be Zoom Phone users or shared mobile (common area) users. The channels are added to each site, allowing multiple departments (e.g., bakery, produce, and so on). The members can belong to multiple channels. For example, store managers, supervisors, and workers can transition from one channel to another; such as bakery to produce. Members can also cross sites, but it is recommended that they belong to the same Zoom (SIP) zones for audio quality, which allows for regional store managers to travel and join the local channel.

Users

Once a member is assigned to a channel(s), their Zoom app will automatically be synchronized and a new top-level option will be displayed in the Zoom Phone section. This will be the Push to Talk menu. The member will be presented with one or more channels and they can select the channel to join.

Once joined, and while the member is in the PTT section, a Talk button is displayed. The member can select that button to talk or use one of the compatible devices listed below to use the dedicated Talk button of the device.

When a member is talking, other members will hear their audio, and also their Zoom app will display who is talking.

Note: By eliminating dedicated hardware and combining applications (PTT app and Phone app), any incoming/outgoing phone calls and associated audio will take precedence over PTT to audio.

Compatible hardware for Zoom Phone push-to-talk

The following devices are compatible devices for Zoom Phone push-to-talk:

As a software application, users can use Zoom Phone service and push-to-talk to run on leading smart mobile devices, serving multiple purposes (inventory, CRM, and so on). This eliminates a separate device for PTT functions.  

How to use Zoom Phone push-to-talk

Android | iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Tap Phone .
  3. At the top of the screen, tap the Push to Talk tab.
    The list of push-to-talk channels will appear.
  4. Tap the channel you want to participate in.
  5. Tap Connect.
    You will be connected to the push-to-talk channel. In the top-right corner, the number of participants will be displayed by the participant icon .
  6. On the screen, hold the speaker button to talk to the channel.
    The screen will notify you that you are live and talking, and your voice will be broadcast to all participants of the channel.
    Note    : For Zebra devices, hold down the physical side button on the device to talk.
  7. Release the speaker button to stop talking.
  8. (Optional) Tap Disconnect to disconnect from the channel.

Note: This will not be recorded and will be broadcast in real-time.

How to switch push-to-talk channels

Android | iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. Tap Phone .
  3. At the top of the screen, tap the Push to Talk tab.
    The list of push-to-talk channels will appear.
  4. Tap the channel you want to participate in.
  5. (Optional) Tap Connect to connect with the channel.
  6. At the top of the screen, to the right of the channel name, tap the down arrow , then tap the name of the channel you want to switch to.
  7. Tap Connect to connect with the selected channel.
    Note: You can only be connected to 1 channel at a time. If you switch and connect with another channel, the previous channel will be automatically disconnected.