The basic method depends on which platform you're using

Most video conferencing platforms let you add people to an active call, but the steps differ. On Zoom, you click the "Participants" button at the bottom, then the "Invite" button to send a link or dial someone in. On Google Meet, you click the "Add people" icon (a person with a plus sign) and either paste their email or send them the meeting link. Microsoft Teams shows an "Add participant" option when you click the "People" icon on the right side of the screen. On Skype, you click the three dots menu and select "Add people to this call."

The fastest way is usually to share the meeting link directly — you can copy it and text, email, or message it to the person you want to join. They click the link and enter the call without you having to do anything else. This works on every platform and doesn't require you to know their email address or phone number.

Key Takeaways

  • Sharing the meeting link directly is the fastest way to add someone — they click it and join without you entering their contact details.
  • Each platform has a different button or menu for adding participants: Zoom uses "Participants," Google Meet uses "Add people," Teams uses "People," and Skype uses the three-dot menu.
  • You can add people by email address, phone number, or meeting ID depending on the platform and whether the person is already registered with that service.
  • Some platforms let you dial people in by phone if they don't have internet access, though this may cost money depending on your plan.

Adding someone by email address

If you know their email, this is usually the most reliable method. On Zoom, click "Participants," then "Invite," then paste their email in the box that appears and click "Invite." On Google Meet, click "Add people," type or paste their email, and hit Enter. On Teams, click "Add participant" and type their email address. On Skype, click the three dots, select "Add people," and enter their email.

The person will receive a notification that they've been added to the call — either as a pop-up if they're already in the app, or as an email or message if they're not. They then click to join. This method works best when you're adding colleagues, friends, or family members whose email addresses you already have.

Sending the meeting link instead

Copying and sharing the meeting link is often simpler than entering email addresses one by one, especially if you're adding multiple people. Every platform generates a unique link for each call. On Zoom, click "Invite" and copy the link from the "Invite Link" field. On Google Meet, click "Add people" and select "Copy joining info" to get the link and meeting details. On Teams, click "Share" and copy the meeting link. On Skype, click the three dots and select "Copy invite link."

Once you have the link, send it through text, email, Slack, or any messaging app. The person clicks it and joins immediately — they don't need to be invited by name or email. This is especially useful for adding people you don't have email addresses for, or for adding a large group at once.

Adding someone by phone number

Some platforms let you dial people in if they don't have internet access or prefer to join by phone. On Zoom, click "Participants," then "Invite," then select the "Phone" tab and enter their number. On Google Meet, you can't dial out directly, but you can give someone the dial-in number and PIN that appears in the meeting details. On Teams, click "Add participant" and select "Invite someone outside your organization," then choose the phone option if available. On Skype, you can dial out to phone numbers if you have Skype credit or a calling plan.

Dialing someone in may incur charges depending on your plan and their location — check your platform's pricing before adding people by phone. The person will hear a ringing sound when you dial, and they can accept or decline the call like a normal phone call.

What happens when someone joins mid-call

When a new person joins a call that's already in progress, they see the video and hear the audio from that moment forward — they don't get a recording of what happened before they arrived. On most platforms, existing participants see a notification that the new person has joined, and the new person can see who else is on the call by looking at the participant list or video grid.

Some platforms let you mute the new person automatically or require them to wait in a "waiting room" until you approve them. On Zoom, you can enable the waiting room in settings so that anyone joining (whether by link or invitation) has to wait for you to let them in. On Teams, you can control whether people from outside your organization need approval. This is useful if you're running a meeting where you want to control who enters.

Troubleshooting when someone can't join

If someone clicks the link and gets an error, the most common causes are an expired link, the wrong link, or a technical issue with their internet connection. Ask them to refresh the page and try again. If they're still stuck, have them close the app or browser completely and open a fresh window, then click the link again.

If they're trying to join by email invitation and don't see the notification, check that you entered the email correctly — a single typo will send the invite to the wrong person. Ask them to check their spam folder, or resend the invitation. If they're joining by phone and hear a busy signal or can't connect, verify that you have the right phone number and that your platform's calling plan is active.

Removing someone from a call

If you need to remove someone who's already joined, you can do this through the participants list. On Zoom, click "Participants," hover over the person's name, and click "Remove." On Google Meet, click "People," find their name, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove." On Teams, click "People," find their name, click the three dots, and select "Remove." On Skype, right-click their name in the call and select "Remove from call."

When you remove someone, they're disconnected immediately and see a message that they've been removed. They can rejoin if they have the link or if you invite them again. This is useful if someone joined by accident, if you need to end a call for a specific person while keeping others on, or if you need to remove someone who's being disruptive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a call if I don't know their email address?

Yes — share the meeting link instead. Copy it and send it through text, email, or any messaging app. They click the link and join without you needing their email or phone number. This is the fastest method for adding people you don't have contact details for.

What if someone tries to join but gets an error message?

Have them refresh the page or close and reopen the app, then try the link again. If they're joining by email invitation, check that you spelled their email correctly. If they're joining by phone, verify the phone number and that your calling plan is active on that platform.

Can I add someone to a call if they're not registered with that platform?

Yes — most platforms let unregistered users join by clicking a link or dialing in by phone. They don't need an account. If you're inviting by email, they'll receive a notification and can join from there, though some platforms may ask them to create a quick account first.

Will the new person see what happened before they joined?

No — they only see and hear the call from the moment they join. If you want them to see earlier parts of the conversation, you'll need to share a recording after the call ends, if one was made.

Can I prevent people from joining without my permission?

Yes — most platforms have a waiting room feature. On Zoom, enable it in settings so anyone joining has to wait for you to approve them. On Teams, you can require approval for people outside your organization. This gives you control over who enters the call.