Getting started with ZoomOSC
ZoomOSC is an application that acts as a bridge between Zoom and your existing hardware and software ecosystems using Open Sound Control (OSC), a widely used protocol for transmitting information between applications. ZoomOSC lets you send commands to Zoom and receive data back, making it a two-way communication tool. You can use it to enhance your Zoom meetings, manage large-scale events, or build custom integrations for virtual productions and performances.
Requirements for ZoomOSC
- Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education account
- A Zoom Enhanced Media add-on license; or,
- Hub owner or Hub host role in the Zoom Webinars Plus and Events platform.
Notes:
- Hardware: macOS devices d with Apple Silicon (M1 or later)
- Software: macOS 14 (Sonoma), macOS 15 (Sequoia), macOS 26 (Tahoe), or later
- Add ZoomOSC through the Zoom App Marketplace. Admin approval may be required.
Limitations for ZoomOSC
- ZoomOSC is not supported in Zoom Meetings with over 1000 concurrent participants.
- ZoomOSC is not supported in Zoom Webinars where Backstage is enabled.
How to Download and Install ZoomOSC
Follow the steps below to properly download and install ZoomOSC. Learn more about downloading apps on your Mac.
- Access the Zoom Installers page and download ZoomOSC using your web browser.
A zip file will be downloaded in your Downloads folder. - Extract the downloaded zip file.
A .dmg file will appear. - Open the .dmg file to start the installation process.
The ZoomOSC window will appear. - Continue to Sign in with Zoom section.
Note: A Zoom account admin may need to approve ZoomOSC before you can add it to your account. Zoom account admins can approve ZoomOSC via the Zoom App Marketplace.
How to add ZoomOSC to your Zoom Account
Sign in with Zoom
- Download, install, and open ZoomOSC.
The ZoomOSC window will appear. - Click Sign in.
A new browser tab will open, and you'll be redirected to a Zoom website to log in to your Zoom account. - For first time sign-ins, click Allow to add ZoomOSC to your Zoom account. You’ll be redirected to the login success page.
- On the same success page, click Open App, then select Open ZoomOSC again to confirm.
- (Optional) Tick the checkbox titled Always allow liminal.zoom.us to open links of this type in the associated app to remove the confirmation for future sign-ins.
- Allow all necessary permissions, such as camera permissions, network permissions, or other protocols. Click Allow when the confirmation prompts appear to use ZoomOSC.
ZoomOSC will open as a separate window, and you'll be automatically signed in. In the top-right corner of the app, your Zoom profile image will appear. - (Optional) Click your profile picture to open the Zoom web portal or log out.
Note: Account admins may need to approve ZoomOSC before you can add it to your account. Account admins can approve ZoomOSC via the Zoom App Marketplace.
How to remove ZoomOSC from your Zoom account
Learn how to remove an app from Zoom Marketplace.
How to activate ZoomOSC
ZoomOSC is activated when you sign in with a Zoom account that has a valid license or role.
Activate ZoomOSC with a Zoom Enhanced Media license
ZoomOSC is included in the Zoom Enhanced Media add-on license at no additional cost. Once an Enhanced Media license is purchased, assign it to the user in your Zoom organization who will use ZoomOSC. ZoomOSC can join any meeting, webinar, or event that the signed-in user is allowed to join, even if it takes place on a different account.
Activate ZoomOSC with a Zoom Webinars Plus and Events license
Zoom Events and Zoom Webinars Plus license holders can create hubs in the events portal to manage their organization's access to license features. Under the Team tab of the hub page, the hub owner can add additional hub hosts from within their organization. Both the hub owner and all hub hosts can activate ZoomOSC by signing in to the app. ZoomOSC can join any meeting, webinar, or event that the signed-in user is allowed to join, even if it takes place outside of the Zoom Events platform or account. Learn more about Activating Liminal Apps through Zoom Webinars Plus and Events.
How to use ZoomOSC and configure basic settings
At a high-level, the following process is a general approach to using ZoomOSC:
- Sign in with your Zoom account in ZoomOSC.
The ZoomOSC window will appear, the Meeting tab is selected by default. - At the top of the ZoomOSC window, manage following tabs:
- Meeting tab: Join meetings or webinars and configure your video input to the meeting.
- OSC Command Browser tab: Displays a complete list of all OSC commands and associated outputs in a searchable interface. View the command syntax, description, host requirements, and preview different targets using the interactive command simulator.
- Participant Management tab: Displays a list of subscribed participants and lets you manage pins and spotlights using filters, search parameters, and a participant matrix.
- Join a meeting.
- Send OSC commands to the receiving IP and port used by ZoomOSC.
- Receive feedback data from Zoom via the transmitting IP and port used by ZoomOSC.
Tip: ZoomOSC is a highly customizable application, so it is essential to test your exact configuration and workflow beforehand.
How to use OSC commands
ZoomOSC supports three types of OSC (Open Sound Control) messages that you send from an OSC controller or media server.
Note: You must send commands to ZoomOSC using an external OSC controller or media server.
The three categories of OSC messages are:
- User commands: Target a specific participant or group of participants.
- Global commands: Apply to everyone in the meeting or change general meeting settings.
- Outputs: Messages sent out of ZoomOSC. Outputs can be triggered by events (for example, a participant muting their microphone) or by a command you send (for example, requesting a list of a user's video devices).
All commands start with /zoom and all outputs begin with /zoomosc. For a full list of available commands, view the in-app command browser.