Any Zoom Events attendee, host, or special-role user in the event can create a private group chat. You can create private group chats—ideal for gathering multiple attendants in the event to chat in a more focused setting—from anywhere in the event (lobby, session, expo), and at any time.

For any private group chat that you start, you will have administrative privileges to change the group name, change the chat image, add attendants to and remove them from the private group chat, and delete messages sent in the private group chat.

Speakers and exhibitors can upload files to a chat.

Note: Public chat groups cannot be created.

This article covers:

• How to start a private group chat from the event lobby
• How to start a private group chat from a private 1:1 chat
• How to remove attendants from a private group chat
• How to delete your messages from a private group chat
• How to report a user in a private group chat
• How to leave a private group chat

Prerequisites for using private lobby chat

• Basic, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education account
• Zoom desktop client for Windows, or macOS: Global minimum version or higher
• Zoom mobile app for Android or iOS: Global minimum version or higher

How to start a private group chat from the event lobby

1. Join an event lobby.
2. In the event lobby's chat panel's navigation window, click the new chat button icon .
3. Click Start a group chat.
4. At the top of the chat window, click the pencil icon to edit the name of the private group chat.
5. Add event attendees to the private group chat by one of two ways:
   • Use the Who do you want to chat with? search bar:
     1. In the search bar, type in the name of the attendee you want to add to the private group chat.
     2. In the search results list, click the attendee's name to add them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to add more attendees.
   • Scroll the contact list:
     1. Scroll through your contact list to find the attendee you want to add.
     2. Click the attendee's name to add them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to add more attendees.

How to start a private group chat from a private 1:1 chat

1. Join an event lobby.
2. Go to your 1:1 chat with a user you are already connected with.
3. In the top-right corner of your 1:1 chat box, click the 3 dots icon .
4. Click Start a group chat.
5. Add event attendants to the private group chat by one of two ways:
   • Use the Who do you want to chat with? search bar:
     1. In the search bar, type in the name of the attendee you want to add to the private group chat.
     2. In the search results list, click the attendee's name to add them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to add more attendees.
   • Scroll the contact list:
     1. Scroll through your contact list to find the attendee you want to add.
     2. Click the attendee's name to add them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to add more attendees.

How to remove attendants from a private group chat

1. Access the group chat from where one or more attendees need to be removed.
   Note: You can only remove users from the private group chats that you created.
2. In the top-right corner of your private group chat window, click the 3 dots icon .
3. Click Edit group.
4. Remove attendants previously added to the private group chat by one of two ways:
   • Use the Who do you want to chat with? search bar:
     1. In the search bar, type in the name of the attendee you want to remove from the private group chat.
     2. In the search results list, click the attendee's name to select them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to select more attendees.
   • Scroll the contact list:
     1. Scroll through your contact list to find the attendee you want to remove.
     2. Click the attendee's name to select them.
     3. (Optional) Repeat to select more attendees.
5. Click Save changes.

How to delete your messages from a private group chat

Note: The creator of the private group chat will be able to delete any message that is sent.

1. Access the group chat from where you want to delete one or more of your messages.
   Note: You can only delete messages from the private group chats that you created.
2. To the right of the message you want to delete, click the ellipsis icon .
3. Click Delete message.
4. (Optional) Repeat to delete another message.

How to report a user in a private group chat

1. Access the group chat from where one or more attendants need to be reported.
2. To the right of the user you want to report, click the ellipses icon .
3. Click Report user.
4. (Optional) Repeat to report another user.

How to leave a private group chat

1. Access the group chat that you want to leave.
2. To the right of the private group chat's name, click the ellipses icon .
3. Click Leave group.