Participating in breakout rooms in zoom app

As the name suggests, breakout rooms are sections of a Zoom meeting that are divided off from each other. It also gives participants the opportunity to organize themselves into smaller groups and ensures that audio and video are isolated from the main session, which is suitable for smaller groups. In order to facilitate collaboration and discussion within the meeting, breakout rooms can be provided.

Prerequisites for participating in breakout rooms

• An invitation has been sent by the host of the meeting for participants to join breakout rooms

• Rooms for breakout sessions can be selected by self-selection:

  • Client for Zoom on the desktop

    • The Windows version must be at least 5.3.0

    • Mac OS X: version 5.3.0 or higher is required

    • Version 5.3.0 or higher of Linux is required

  • Using Zoom on your mobile device

    • A version of Android 5.3.0 or higher is required

    • The iOS version must be at least 5.3.0 in order to operate

  • A version of ChromeOS of at least 5.0.0 (4241.1207) is recommended

• There are several platforms from which users can join Zoom meetings and select breakout rooms and participate in them. They are listed below:

  • A desktop version of Zoom is available

  • Mobile app for Zoom

  • Client for Chrome OS

  • Clients on the web

  • Dial-in by phone

  • Devices that support H.323/SIP

  • There is a Zoom room available

    • You will need Zoom Rooms version 5.3.0 or later in order to use this feature

Notes:

• You can only assign breakout rooms to participants when you are logged into the desktop client as a host or co-host.

• Any breakout room can be used by the host and co-host at any time.

Windows | macOS

How to join a breakout room

1. In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

2. Please click on the Join button.

3. By clicking on Breakout Rooms in your meeting control panel, you’ll be able to join the meeting later if you choose Later.

4. Join the Breakout Room by clicking the Join Breakout Room button.

As in a meeting, you will be able to access full control of the meeting.

How to self-select a breakout room

If the host has given participants the option of self-selecting and joining breakout rooms of their choice, the host will create a list of breakout rooms that the attendees will be able to view and select from if they wish. There will be no restrictions on the entry or exit of group breakout rooms for participants.

Note: There will be no self-selection of a breakout room available to attendees who are not signed up through our desktop or mobile app (version 5.3.0 or higher). In order to move these participants manually, the host will be required to facilitate the process.

1. When you are in the meeting control panel, click on Breakout Rooms.
   This will display the list of open breakout rooms created by the host. 

2. The option to Expand All can be selected if you would like to see which rooms are available and which participants are currently occupying those rooms.
   Note: It is required to have version 5.9.6 or higher in order to use the Expand All and Collapse All options.

3. When you hover over the number to the right of the breakout room you wish to join, click Join, and then click the Join button again to confirm your choice.

4. Click on Leave Room to return to the main session, or repeat the process as necessary to join other breakout rooms.

How to ask for help

The meeting host will be notified that you need help by clicking on Ask for Help and they will be asked to join you in your breakout room in order to assist you.

1. In the meeting controls, click on the Ask for Help button.

2. When you click the Invite Host button, you will be asked to confirm that help is needed.

How to record while in a breakout room

• You will need the permission of the host in order to record. Prior to opening the breakout rooms for recording, the host must allow recording to take place. It is possible for the host to join your breakout room if the breakout rooms have already been opened and they want to allow you to record.

• To start a local recording of the meeting, click on the Record button in the meeting controls.

• Using the meeting controls, you can pause or stop the recording by clicking the pause or stop icons.

Clicking the indicator in the top left corner of the screen will also allow you to stop or pause the recording of the video.

Take a look at our local recording services to learn more.

How to leave the breakout room

The breakout room can be left at any time after the main meeting session has begun, and you can return to it at any later time to continue the meeting, or you can leave it entirely from the breakout room.

1. In the Breakout Room, click the Leave button.
   

2. The breakout room can be left vacant, or the entire meeting can be left vacant if you wish.

3. You will be notified by the host when the breakout sessions are over, and you can choose whether to return to the main room immediately or within 60 seconds of when the breakout sessions were over.

Linux

How to join a breakout room

• In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

• Please click on the Join button.

• By clicking the Join Breakout Room button in your meeting control panel, you will be able to join the breakout room later on.

• To join the breakout room, click the Join breakout room button.

There will be full control available to you, just as in a meeting.

How to self-select a breakout room

If the host has given participants the option of self-selecting and joining breakout rooms of their choice, the host will create a list of breakout rooms that the attendees will be able to view and select from if they wish. There will be no restrictions on the entry or exit of group breakout rooms for participants.

Note: There will be no self-selection of a breakout room available to attendees who are not signed up through our desktop or mobile app (version 5.3.0 or higher). In order to move these participants manually, the host will be required to facilitate the process.

1. When you are in the meeting control panel, click on Breakout Rooms.
   This will display the list of open breakout rooms created by the host. 

2. The option to Expand All can be selected if you would like to see which rooms are available and which participants are currently occupying those rooms.
   Note: It is required to have version 5.9.6 or higher in order to use the Expand All and Collapse All options.

3. To join the Breakout Room for which you wish to participate, click the Join button, then confirm your participation by clicking Join a second time.

4. Click on Leave Room to return to the main session, or repeat the process as necessary to join other breakout rooms.

How to ask for help

The meeting host will be notified that you need help by clicking on Ask for Help and they will be asked to join you in your breakout room in order to assist you.

1. The meeting controls allow you to ask for help by clicking the Ask for Help button.

2. When you click the Invite Host button, you will be asked to confirm that help is needed.

How to leave the breakout room

The breakout room can be left at any time after the main meeting session has begun, and you can return to it at any later time to continue the meeting, or you can leave it entirely from the breakout room.

1. In the Breakout Room, click the Leave button.
   

2. The breakout room can be left vacant, or the entire meeting can be left vacant if you wish.

3. Having reached the end of the breakout rooms, the host will notify you and give you the option to return to the main room as soon as possible, or to do so in 60 seconds.

iOS

How to join a breakout room

• In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

• If you would like to join, tap the Join button.

• Afterwards, you can join the breakout room by clicking Join Breakout Room if you tap Later.
  

• Tap the Join button.
  In a similar way to the meeting, you will be able to access full control of the session

How to self-select a breakout room

If the host has given participants the option of self-selecting and joining breakout rooms of their choice, the host will create a list of breakout rooms that the attendees will be able to view and select from if they wish. There will be no restrictions on the entry or exit of group breakout rooms for participants.

Note: There will be no self-selection of a breakout room available to attendees who are not signed up through our desktop or mobile app (version 5.3.0 or higher). In order to move these participants manually, the host will be required to facilitate the process.

1. There is a button called Breakout Rooms on the top-left corner of the meeting controls. Click it.
   In this way, the host will be able to display a list of the rooms that are open for breakout sessions. 

2. If you wish to join a Breakout Room, simply tap the room you would like to join and then tap Join.

3. Click on Leave Room to return to the main session, or repeat the process as necessary to join other breakout rooms.

How to ask for help

When you tap on the Ask for Help button, you will be notified that you are in need of assistance. The meeting host will be invited to join your breakout session to provide you with assistance.

• If you need help, tap Ask for Help.

• By tapping Invite Host, you can confirm that you will need assistance from the host.

How to leave the breakout room

A person may leave the breakout room at any time and resume participation in the main meeting session when they are ready, or they may choose to leave the meeting entirely when they are no longer needed.

• Click on the Leave button.

• Select the Leave Breakout Room option.

• You will be notified by the host when the breakout sessions are over, and you can choose whether to return to the main room immediately or within 60 seconds of when the breakout sessions were over.

Android

How to join a breakout room

• In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

• Please tap on the Join button.

• In the event that you choose Later, you are able to join the breakout room by clicking the Join Breakout Room button.
  Similar to the meeting, you will be able to access the full range of controls.

How to self-select a breakout room

If the host has given participants the option of self-selecting and joining breakout rooms of their choice, the host will create a list of breakout rooms that the attendees will be able to view and select from if they wish. There will be no restrictions on the entry or exit of group breakout rooms for participants.

Note: There will be no self-selection of a breakout room available to attendees who are not signed up through our desktop or mobile app (version 5.3.0 or higher). In order to move these participants manually, the host will be required to facilitate the process.

1. On the top-left side of the meeting control screen, tap Breakout Rooms to open a breakout room.
   The host will be able to see a list of all the breakout rooms that are currently available. 

2. If you wish to join a Breakout Room, simply tap the room you would like to join and then tap Join.

3. Click on Leave Room to return to the main session, or repeat the process as necessary to join other breakout rooms.

How to ask for help

There will be a notice that is sent to the meeting host if you ask for help. This will inform the meeting host of the situation so they are able to assist you.

1. You can display the meeting controls by tapping the screen.

2. In the top-left corner of the screen, tap Ask for Help.

3. Upon tapping “Ask for Help”, you will be asked to confirm that you wish to receive assistance.

How to leave the breakout room

A person may leave the breakout room at any time and resume participation in the main meeting session when they are ready, or they may choose to leave the meeting entirely when they are no longer needed.

• Please tap the Leave button.

• Leave the break out room by choosing this option

• There will be a notification when the host ends the breakout rooms, so that you can make your way back to the main room immediately or in 60 seconds at your leisure.

Telephone

It is not necessary for you to do anything when you join a breakout room by telephone. When the breakout rooms start, you will receive a notification telling you that you have been added to the breakout room once the host starts them.

Participating in the breakout room

The mute and unmute options will work as they do in the main session, so you can do it the same way. You can mute or unmute the volume by pressing the number 6.

Returning to the main room

After the host has concluded the breakout rooms, you will receive a notification letting you know that you need to return to the main room within the next 60 seconds. You can join the main room by pressing # at any time.

Web

How to join a breakout room

1. In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

2. You will receive a pop-up notification once you click Join.

3. By pressing Breakout Rooms in the meeting control panel, you will be able to join the meeting later if you choose Later.
   You will have access to full controls similar to the meeting.
   Note:  Local recording is not supported by the web client.

How to ask for help

You will be asked to join your breakout room if you click on Ask for Help, which will alert the meeting host that the meeting host needs assistance from you.

1. The meeting controls allow you to ask for help by clicking the Ask for Help button.

2. When you click the Invite Host button, you will be asked to confirm that help is needed.

How to leave the breakout room

The breakout room can be left at any time after the main meeting session has begun, and you can return to it at any later time to continue the meeting, or you can leave it entirely from the breakout room.

1. You will now be able to leave the break out room by clicking on the button.
   

2. The breakout room can be left vacant, or the entire meeting can be left vacant if you wish.

3. You will be notified by the host when the breakout sessions are over, and you can choose whether to return to the main room immediately or within 60 seconds of when the breakout sessions are over.

Chrome OS

How to join a breakout room

1. In order to join the breakout room, you will need to be invited by the host.

2. You will receive a pop-up notification once you click Join.

3. You can join the meeting by clicking the Breakout Rooms option under Meeting Controls if you choose Later.
   As with the meeting, you will be able to access full control over the meeting.

How to self-select a breakout room

If the host has given participants the option of self-selecting and joining breakout rooms of their choice, the host will create a list of breakout rooms that the attendees will be able to view and select from if they wish. There will be no restrictions on the entry or exit of group breakout rooms for participants.

Note: A breakout room cannot be self-selected by participants whose login credentials have not been connected by either the desktop app (version 5.3.0 or later) or the ChromeOS app (version 5.0.0 (4241.1207) or later). These participants will have to be manually moved by the host in order to facilitate the process.

1. When you are in the meeting control panel, click on Breakout Rooms.
   The list of open breakout rooms will be displayed here once the host has created the room. 

2. To join a Breakout Room, click the Join link next to the Breakout Room in which you would like to participate, then choose a second time to click Join.

3. Click on Leave Room to return to the main session, or repeat the process as necessary to join other breakout rooms.

How to ask for help

You will be asked to join your breakout room if you click on Ask for Help, which will alert the meeting host that the meeting host needs assistance from you.

1. In the meeting controls, click on the Ask for Help button.

2. When you click the Invite Host button, you will be asked to confirm that help is needed.

How to leave the breakout room

A person may leave the breakout room at any time and resume participation in the main meeting session when they are ready, or they may choose to leave the meeting entirely when they are no longer needed.

1. You will now be able to leave the break out room by clicking on the button.
   

2. The breakout room can be left vacant, or the entire meeting can be left vacant if you wish.

3. You will be notified by the host when the breakout sessions are over, and you can choose whether to return to the main room immediately or within 60 seconds of when the breakout sessions were over.