Before you start
- The meeting link, or the meeting ID and passcode
- A computer, phone or tablet with a microphone (and camera for video)
- A stable internet connection
Method 1 Join from the invite link
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Step 1: Click the link
Open the email, calendar invite or message and click the Zoom link (it looks like https://zoom.us/j/…).
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Step 2: Open the app
Your browser asks to open Zoom Workplace (the Zoom app). Click Open. If you don’t have it, the page offers to download it.
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Step 3: Enter your name
Type the name others will see and click Join. The passcode is usually built into the link.
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Step 4: Wait to be admitted
If the host uses a waiting room, you’ll see a message until they let you in.
Method 2 Join with a meeting ID and passcode
You can also go to zoom.us/join in any browser and enter the meeting ID there.
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Step 1: Open Zoom
Open the Zoom app on your computer or phone. You can join without signing in.
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Step 2: Click Join
Click or tap Join (or Join a meeting).
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Step 3: Enter the details
Type the 9- to 11-digit meeting ID and your name, then click Join. Enter the passcode when asked.
Method 3 Join from a browser without installing anything
The browser version works well in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, but has fewer features than the app.
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Step 1: Open the link
Click the meeting link, then cancel the prompt to open the app.
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Step 2: Choose the browser option
Click Join from your browser at the bottom of the page.
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Step 3: Allow camera and microphone
When the browser asks, click Allow so others can see and hear you.
Method 4 Set up audio and video
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Step 1: Join audio
Click Join with Computer Audio (or Wi-Fi or Cellular Data on a phone). Without this, no one can hear you.
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Step 2: Turn on video
Click Start Video in the toolbar. Use the arrow next to it to choose a camera or a background.
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Step 3: Mute when not talking
Click Mute, or hold the spacebar to talk while muted.
Troubleshooting
Nobody can hear me
Check you joined audio, aren’t muted, and that the right microphone is chosen: click the arrow next to Mute and select it. On a computer, also check the browser or system microphone permissions.
“Invalid meeting ID”
Check the number with the host; the meeting may have ended, not started yet, or used a different ID.
The video is choppy
Close other apps and browser tabs, move closer to the router, or turn off your video to save bandwidth.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Zoom account to join?
No. You only need an account to host meetings, unless the host requires participants to sign in.
Can I join by phone call?
Yes, if the host enabled it. The invitation lists dial-in numbers; call one and enter the meeting ID and passcode.
Summary
Click the invite link and open it in Zoom or your browser, or open Zoom, click Join and enter the meeting ID and passcode. Join audio, turn on video, and test everything at zoom.us/test before important calls.
