Explore Zoom Meeting Interface as Participant
When you start or join a Zoom meeting, the Zoom client will launch and you will be entered into the meeting (unless the host has not started the meeting or a waiting room exists). Once in the meeting, you will have various meeting control options depending on your role (host, co-host, or participant). This page won't cover every option available, but it will highlight the ones most commonly used when you have the role of participant.
For detailed descriptions of meeting control options based on your role, view the following support pages developed by Zoom.
Using Host and Co-Host Controls in a Meeting (opens in a new tab)
Participant Controls in a Meeting (opens in a new tab)
Meeting Toolbar Options
| Meeting Icon | Available To | Description |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Join Audio or Unmute/Mute This icon allows you to connect to the meeting's audio, then once connected, mute or unmute your microphone. Audio controls (select ^ next to Mute/Unmute): The audio controls allow you to change the microphone and speaker that Zoom is currently using on your computer, leave computer audio, and access the full audio options in the Zoom settings. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Start Video/Stop Video This icon allows you to start or stop your own video. Video controls (select ^ next to Start/Stop Video): If you have multiple cameras on your computer, you can select which camera Zoom is using, access the full video controls, and select a Virtual Background. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Participants This icon opens the window where you can manage the participants in the meeting, view aggregate nonverbal feedback, and invite others to join the meeting. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Chat This icon gets you access to the chat window where you can chat with other participants in the meeting. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Share Screen This icon allows you to start sharing your screen. You will be able to select the desktop or application you want to share. Share Screen controls (select ^ next to Share Screen): Select who can share in your meeting and if you want only the host or any participant to be able to start a new share when someone is sharing. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Record This icon allows you to start and stop a cloud or local recording. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Show Captions This icon allows you to access caption options if manual or automated captions are enabled on your account. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
Reactions This icon allows you to access meeting reactions, nonverbal feedback, and raise hand feature that allows you to communicate issues or feedback to the host or presenter without disrupting the meeting. These reactions are shown on your video panel and next to your name on the participants panel. |
|
Participant | Leave This icon allows you to leave the meeting. |
|
Host Co-Host Participant |
View This icon allows you to adjust the video layout during your meeting. This icon will only appear when joined via Windows, macOS, or Linux. To learn how to switch views on mobile devices, visit the links below. Switch View on Android/iOS (opens in a new tab) Switch View on iPad (opens in a new tab) Speaker: Will switch the large video window between who is speaking with 3 or more participants in the meeting. Gallery: Shows thumbnail displays of participants, in a grid pattern, which expands and contracts as participants join and leave the meeting. Fullscreen: You can switch any of the layouts to fullscreen mode. Depending on your account settings, there may be other options, like hide/show self view, hide/show non-video participants, and stop incoming video. |