Using companion audio in Zoom Rooms

Users who pair their Zoom Workplace app to a Zoom Room can join the meeting in companion mode and improve their audio experience. A laptop microphone can be used to enhance the meeting’s audio. Additionally, USB or Bluetooth audio devices selected as the output source from the Zoom Workplace app can be used to listen to the meeting. 

Requirements for companion audio

Enabling companion audio

• Role with access to Zoom Rooms on the web portal

Using companion audio

• Zoom Rooms:
  • Windows version 6.3.10 or higher
  • macOS version 6.3.10 or higher
  • Appliances version 6.3.10 or higher
• Zoom Workplace app version 6.3.10 or higher
  • Built-in laptop microphone (companion microphone)
  • USB or Bluetooth audio device (room listen)
• Zoom Rooms computer, controller, and workplace app device must have IP connectivity to the Zoom room network.
• Network firewall settings updated to allow use of this feature. 

Limitations

• These features are not currently supported on the Zoom Workplace app for mobile devices.
• These features are not currently supported on Logi appliances.
• These features are not currently supported on DTEN ME 2G and DTEN GO 2G appliances. 

How to enable companion audio

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. Click Room Management, then click Zoom Rooms.
3. You can use the Zoom Rooms location hierarchy to enable companion audio from the account, location, or room settings. For this example, click Account Settings.
4. Click the Meeting tab, then click the toggle  next to Allow users in your account to pair and control Zoom Rooms.
   Note: Once this feature is toggled, the companion audio features listed below will be enabled by default.
5. (Optional) Check the box next to Allow users to share personal device microphone in companion mode to improve meeting audio.
6. (Optional) Check the box  next to Allow users to listen to meeting audio in companion mode on their personal listening device.

Note: The steps above are marked optional because both features do not need to be enabled at the same time. To use either feature, however, the corresponding box must be checked. 

How to use companion audio

Using companion microphone

1. Pair your Zoom Workplace app to the Zoom Room.
2. Join a meeting and select the option to enter companion mode when it appears. Your experience will depend on the situation:
   • If the room is idle, click Join from room and as companion.
   • If the room is in a meeting, click Connect as companion.
3. (Optional): You can choose to mute the companion mic by clicking the  icon. If poor audio is detected by the Zoom Room, a prompt will appear asking if you want to unmute the companion mic. 

Note: You can also choose to mute the companion mic. If poor audio is detected by the Zoom Room, a prompt will appear asking if you want to unmute the companion mic. 

Joining with companion microphone muted by default

If you would like to use companion microphone, but want it muted when you first join a meeting in companion mode, review these steps: 

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
3. Un-check the box next to  Automatically enable companion microphone when joining as companion.

Using room listen

1. Pair your Zoom Workplace app to the Zoom Room.
2. Join a meeting and select the option to enter companion mode when it appears. Your experience will depend on the situation:
3. If the room is idle, click Join from room and as companion.
4. If the room is in a meeting, click Connect as companion.
5. Click the Listen icon to listen to the meeting audio on a connected USB or bluetooth device. If you have more than one listening device connected, you will be able to select the one desired.

Note: A built-in laptop soundcard is not supported.