Overview

In a meeting, you can control another participant’s screen remotely. Other participants can either allow you to control their screen or you can request it. When given permission, you will be able to control the user’s mouse and keyboard, and even copy text from their screen to your own.

In order to access admin features, such as restarting another participant’s computer from your own, please refer to the Remote Support feature.

Note: In order to allow Zoom access on Mac OSX, you will need to go to the Accessibility tab in the Privacy and Security preferences in order to grant Zoom access. Click here for more information on how to grant Zoom access in Security and Privacy.

Prerequisites for using the remote control feature in a Zoom meeting

• Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop clients for Zoom
• iPad with Zoom mobile app
• You must be the host, co-host, or panelist for webinars

How to enable or disable remote control

Account

For all members of your organization to receive nonverbal feedback:

1. Administrators with the permission to edit account settings can access Zoom’s web portal.
2. Under Account Management, click Account Settings.
3. Select Meetings from the tabs
4. Locate the Remote control setting under the In Meeting (Basic) section under the Meeting tab. Ensure it is enabled.
5. You can enable it by clicking the toggle. Verify that the change was successful by clicking Turn On.
6. Alternatively, if you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in your account, click the lock icon and confirm the setting by clicking Lock.
7. Zoom can share copied information across remote controls if the Allow remote controlling user to share clipboard option is checked. Confirm changes by clicking Save.
8. To adjust the content the end-user will see, click Customize Request (optional). Title and body of the request can be adjusted, and an embedded link can be included.

Group

Note: You will find that the Group Management page has been renamed to Groups if you created a Zoom account after August 21, 2021; or if the New Admin Experience is enabled on your account.

1. Log in to the Zoom web portal as an administrator with group editing privileges.
2. Select Manage Users, then Manage Groups.
3. Navigate to the Settings tab under the group name.
4. To start a meeting, click on the Meeting tab.
5. Check that the Remote control setting is enabled under the Meeting tab’s In Meeting (Basic) section.
6. Turn it on by clicking the toggle. If a confirmation dialog appears, choose Turn On to confirm the change.
   Note: When an option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account level, and the account admin needs to change it there.
7. (Optional) If you would like to make this setting mandatory for all users within this group, you can click the lock icon and then confirm the setting by clicking Lock.
8. To share copied information across Zoom during remote control, click Allow remote controlling user to share clipboard. Confirm changes by clicking Save.
9. You can adjust the content of the request by clicking Customize Request (optional). There is the possibility of modifying the title and body of the request, as well as including an embedded link.

User

1. Log in to the Zoom web portal.
2. Select Settings.
3. To open the Meetings tab, click on the “Meetings” button.
4. Locate the Remote control setting under the In Meeting (Basic) section of the Meeting tab. Verify that it is enabled.
5. To enable the setting, click the status toggle. If a verification dialog appears, select Turn On.
   Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account or group level and must be changed at that level by an account administrator.
6. The Allow remote controlling user to share clipboard checkbox allows copied information to be shared across Zoom during remote control. Click Save to confirm changes.

How to use remote control on desktop

Windows | macOS

Requesting remote control

Remote control can be requested from the host or participant who is sharing their screen.

1. Click the View Options dropdown menu located at the top of your meeting window while viewing another participant’s screen share.
2. Select Request Remote Control and click Request when you’re finished.
   Upon receiving the notification, the host or participant will be asked if you want to control their screen.
3. You can start controlling the participant’s screen by clicking inside the screen share.
4. Choose Give Up Remote Control from the View Options dropdown menu again to stop remote control.

Giving remote control

If you are screen sharing with another participant in the meeting, you can give them remote control. If the participant has an iOS or Android device, they can remotely control your screen.

1. You can give control to another participant by clicking Remote Control during screen sharing.
   Upon clicking anywhere on the shared screen, a notification will appear letting the participant know they can control your screen.
2. To allow the participant with remote control to also copy text from your shared screen, click Remote Control and select Share Clipboard.
3. Click anywhere in your screen to regain control. It is still possible for the other participant to restart remote control.
4. Tip: Alternatively, you can click Remote Control again and select Stop Remote Control to regain control and prevent the other participant from starting remote control again.