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A top communication tool, Zoom allows us to work remotely from anywhere. We can teach, train, and interact with our colleagues on Zoom, provided we have an internet connection and a compatible device. But can you use Zoom on your iPhone? If so, how?
Zoom, founded by Eric Yuan in 2012, is named after the popular children’s book Zoom City, and it does not disappoint. Holding to the idea of the popular story, we can explore new things and forge wonderful relationships using Zoom. Below we show you how to join, host, and moderate Zoom meetings on your iPhone so you can stay productive even on the go.
How to Use Zoom on an iPhone
You can’t take your computer everywhere with you. However, Zoom works perfectly fine on your iPhone, which is great because you can take that everywhere.
Of course, you’ll need to download the app, sign in, and learn how it works before you can use Zoom. We’ll cover those details in this section.
Zoom iOS Compatibility
Before we can begin using Zoom on our iPhones, we must consider whether the app is compatible with our software and hardware. While this section won’t apply to most iPhone users, it will save some people time and a headache.
When our iPhones (the hardware) age, they can’t perform updates because they don’t have the storage capacity or the manufacturer ceases to fix software issues. If you’re using an iPhone that can’t upgrade past iOS 11 (essentially, that’s the iPhone 6 or newer), Zoom won’t work.
Helpful hint: Go to Settings>General>About to view your iPhone’s software information.
The Zoom iOS App
You can use Safari, Chrome, or any web browser to access Zoom. However, the app is easier. Use this link to download Zoom or go to the App Store, type Zoom, and tap Get to install the app.
Zoom’s iPhone Limitations
One neat aspect of using Zoom on your iPhone is you can do nearly anything from your iPhone that you would from a computer. However, there are a couple of limitations.
Most notably, you can’t tweak many meeting settings on your iPhone. Fortunately, you can use Safari to do that. So, if your iPhone is all you have, Zoom still works perfectly well.
How to Get Started with Zoom on an iPhone
Now that you understand the basic prerequisites of Zoom on your iPhone and have the app let’s get logged in and ready to join meetings.
Step 1: Log into Your Zoom Account
After installing the app, you can create a new account or log into an existing one. If you need to create an account, you can sign up by using your email as your username. But, to make things faster, you can sign in with Google.
Open the Zoom app and tap Sign Up. Then, enter your birth year and continue. Input your email or sign up with Google, Facebook, Apple, or SSO (single sign-on account). After setting up an account, you’re free to use Zoom all you like.
Of course, if you already have a Zoom account, select the corresponding option.
Helpful hint: If you have an account, but Zoom doesn’t recognize your email, try one of the other options (Google, Apple, etc.). It may be because you used one of those methods when you created your account.
Step 2: Tap the Menu Icon
Open Zoom and look at the bottom of the screen. Here you’ll see a list of icons.
Meetings take you back to the home page, Team Chat will take you to any messages you’ve sent or received. Contacts will take you to any Zoom Contacts you have (you can import more by tapping Connect Phone Contacts).
Step 3: Manage Your Account Settings
You can access your account settings by tapping your name in the menu.
On this page you can change your Display Name, Profile picture, account password, and Online availability status.
You can also see your Personal Meeting ID (PMI). If you tap that, you can change it to something easier to remember. This ID lets others join your Personal Meeting Room any time it’s open. Of course, you only want to give this to people that can always join your room. Otherwise, enable the Waiting Room feature (which we’ll show you in the next step).
Step 4: Manage Your Meetings
If you host a meeting and forget to enable a feature you need, you’ll have to end the meeting for everyone, enable it, then invite everyone back. To save you that headache (we’ve been there), tweak your Meeting settings first.
The iPhone limits what you can change in the iOS app. So, head to this link to change settings like Meeting Waiting or Breakout Rooms.
However, you can change some settings in the iOS app. You can enable meeting reminders, change your emojis, and turn on Safe while driving, among other options on your iPhone.
How to Meet on Zoom for iPhones
Now, Zoom is set to go on your iPhone. At this point you can host, schedule, or join meetings. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Start a Meeting
You can start a meeting in the Zoom app on your iPhone. Open the app and sign into your account.
Tap Join and input the Meeting ID and password if you want to join someone else’s meeting.
Finally, you can schedule a meeting and invite attendees by tapping the Schedule option.
Step 2: Learn the Controls
Once in a meeting, you will see a series of controls at the bottom of the screen. These controls allow you to invite members, share your screen, incorporate other apps, and access the whiteboard.
Helpful hint: Some features are only accessible to paid accounts.
Step 3: Leave the Meeting
When you’re ready to end your meeting (or leave), tap the screen to show the meeting controls. Then, tap End (if you’re hosting) or Leave if you’re a participant.
How to Invite Others to Your Zoom Meeting on iPhone
One of the more important tasks you’ll need to do when you’re hosting a Zoom meeting on your iPhone is to invite participants. Here’s how:
Step 1: Tap Participants
Tap the screen to highlight it. The in-meeting menu will appear. Then, tap Participants.
Step 2: Tap Invite
The lower left part of the screen has an Invite option. Tap it.
Step 3: Invite
Now, you can send an email, message, invite contacts (if you enabled the option for Zoom to access them), or copy the link and send it to anyone. Select one of those options and send the invite link.
How to Share Screen with Zoom on iPhone
If you’re a paid subscriber you can even share your device’s screen with your team in a Zoom meeting. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Tap Share
From inside the meeting, tap Share.
You can also tap Share Screen from the home menu before joining a meeting.
Step 2: Select the Screen
You can share your full screen and all the apps on it or select certain applications. Make your selection and share your screen.
Step 3: Select Start Broadcast
Tap Start Broadcast. But ensure there are no incriminating apps open. You don’t want the company water cooler talk to be too interesting.
Step 4: Click Stop Share
When you don’t want to share your screen anymore, select Stop Share.
Apple Has the Zoomies
As you can see, you can host entire meetings, conference calls, and lessons directly on your iPhone. When Zoom and iOS come together, you have much more freedom to pursue your interests, sit outside and get a bit of sun while you work, or cuddle on the couch and learn something new.
There’s so much that Zoom can do on your iPhone, so follow the tutorial above, and you’ll be an iPhone Zoom app pro in no time.
