There are multiple ways to participate in a Zoom meeting. One way is to get access to a session with a link and with a Meeting ID. Both can be opened in the browser and with the desktop app.
Participate via link
If you receive an invitation via email, you can easily access the meeting by clicking the link.
- Click on the invite. The link will open in your default browser.
- Click Open Zoom Meetings to participate with the desktop app. You can now access the meeting immediately.
If you want to participate via the browser you will always have to enter a password. This password can be found in the invitation.
Participating with Meeting ID
Each meeting has a unique Meeting ID. If you enter this code you will be able to participate in the meeting. You do not need to have a Zoom account.
Participate via the desktop app with Meeting ID
Participate via browser with Meeting ID
Participate via the desktop app with Meeting ID
- Open the Zoom desktop app.
- Click Join a Meeting to join a meeting without logging in.
- Click Sign In to log in and then participate.
After you log in you will see the Zoom start screen. Click Join.
- Enter the Meeting ID.
- Enter the screen name you want to use.
- Select whether you want to turn video and/or audio on.
- Click Join.
Participate via browser with Meeting ID
Zoom is not supported by all browsers. The browsers that support Zoom are:
- Google Chrome
- Apple Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
- Chromium Edge
The screenshots below have used Google Chrome as browser.
Navigate to https://join.zoom.us
- Enter the Meeting ID.
- Click Join.
- If you want to participate with the desktop app, click Open Zoom Meetings.
- If you want to participate with the browser, click Cancel and then click Join from your browser.
- Enter your name.
- Select the box for I'm not a robot.
- Click Join.
- To participate via the browser you will need a password provided by the host. Enter it.
- Click Join.
Zoom functionalities
At the bottom of your Zoom screen you will find a menu bar with multiple options:
- Turn on your own audio and video;
- See which participants are in the session;
- Chat with the other participants;
- Share your screen with the other participants;
- Add a reaction;
- Leave the meeting;
- At the top of the screen you can switch between Speaker View and Gallery View.
Set up a virtual background
- Click the arrow behind Stop/Start Video.
- Click Choose Virtual Background.
- You can then choose a default Zoom background or upload your own image.
Next time you open Zoom, the image you have previously chosen will appear.