Start a Zoom meeting from your computer or phone
To create and start a Zoom meeting, open the Zoom app or go to zoom.us, sign in to your account, and click the New Meeting button. The meeting starts immediately, and Zoom generates a meeting ID and link you can share with others. You can invite people before the meeting begins, during it, or share the link afterward — the choice is yours.
The process is the same whether you use a Windows computer, Mac, iPhone, or Android phone. The Zoom app is free to download, and you do not need to pay anything to host a meeting with up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes. If you need longer meetings or more participants, Zoom offers paid plans, but the free version works for most people starting out.
Key Takeaways
- Download the free Zoom app or use zoom.us in your web browser — both let you start a meeting without paying.
- Click New Meeting to start immediately; Zoom creates a meeting ID and link automatically.
- Share the meeting link or ID with others through email, text, or any messaging app before or during the meeting.
- Free meetings with up to 100 people last 40 minutes; paid plans remove the time limit and add features like recording and larger group sizes.
- Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection before inviting others to avoid technical problems.
Create a meeting on your computer
Open the Zoom app on your computer and sign in with your Zoom account. If you do not have an account yet, go to zoom.us and click Sign Up to create one for free — you only need an email address and password. Once you are signed in, the Zoom home screen appears.
Click the New Meeting button in the top left corner. Zoom opens your meeting immediately and shows your meeting ID at the top of the screen. Your camera and microphone turn on by default, so you will see yourself on screen. If you do not want your camera on when others join, click the camera icon at the bottom to turn it off before you share the link.
To invite people, click Invite at the bottom of the screen. A window opens showing your meeting link, meeting ID, and a list of ways to share — email, copy the link, or send it through messaging apps. You can also simply text or email the link yourself without using Zoom's invite feature.
Create a meeting on your phone
Download the Zoom app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and sign in. On the home screen, tap the New Meeting button at the bottom. Zoom starts your meeting right away and shows your meeting ID on the screen.
To invite others, tap Invite at the bottom. You will see options to share through text, email, or other apps on your phone. Tap the method you want to use, and your phone's messaging or email app opens with the meeting link already filled in. You can edit the message before sending it.
On a phone, your camera is usually on by default. If you want to turn it off before others join, look for the camera icon at the bottom of the screen and tap it to disable video. Your microphone works the same way — tap the microphone icon to mute yourself if needed.
Share your meeting link with others
After you start a meeting, Zoom creates a unique meeting link that looks like zoom.us/j/1234567890. Anyone with this link can join your meeting without needing a Zoom account. You can share it through email, text message, Slack, Teams, or any other messaging platform.
The meeting ID is a series of numbers (like 123 456 7890) that people can also use to join. If someone prefers to join by ID instead of clicking a link, they can go to zoom.us, click Join a Meeting, type in the ID, and enter the meeting. Both the link and the ID work the same way.
You can share the link before the meeting starts, while people are joining, or even after the meeting ends if you want to send a recording to someone who missed it. There is no time limit on when the link becomes active — it works whenever you need it to.
Control who can join your meeting
By default, anyone with your meeting link or ID can join. If you want to control access, you have a few options. In the Zoom app, click Settings and look for Meeting options. You can turn on a waiting room, which means people have to wait for you to let them in one by one. This is useful if you want to check who is joining before they see your screen or hear your audio.
You can also lock the meeting once everyone you invited has joined. Click the Participants button at the bottom of the screen, then look for a lock icon or Lock Meeting option. Once locked, no one else can join, even if they have the link. You can unlock it later if needed.
If you are worried about uninvited people joining, do not share your meeting link publicly on social media or websites. Share it only with the people you want to attend, through direct messages or email.
Test your setup before inviting others
Before you start a meeting with other people, test your camera and microphone to make sure they work. Open the Zoom app, click Settings, and look for Audio and Video options. Click on each one to see if your camera shows a picture of you and if your microphone picks up sound when you speak.
If your camera or microphone does not work, check that Zoom has permission to use them. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure Zoom is turned on. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera and check the same thing. On your phone, go to Settings > Apps (or Privacy) and find Zoom, then turn on camera and microphone access.
Also check your internet connection. A wired connection (ethernet cable) is more stable than Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fi works fine for most meetings. If your internet is slow, close other apps and browser tabs that use data, like video streaming or large downloads.
Know the limits of the free version
Zoom's free plan lets you host unlimited one-on-one meetings with no time limit. If you are meeting with three or more people, the meeting lasts 40 minutes before Zoom disconnects everyone. After 40 minutes, you can start a new meeting and people can rejoin.
The free version does not include recording, which means you cannot save a video of the meeting to watch later. If you need to record meetings, you will need a paid plan. Paid plans start at around $16 per month and include unlimited meeting length, recording, and other features like virtual backgrounds and breakout rooms.
For most people who just want to talk to a few friends, family members, or coworkers, the free version is enough. You can always upgrade later if you find you need more features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people need a Zoom account to join my meeting?
No. Anyone with your meeting link can join by clicking it, even if they do not have a Zoom account. They can also join by going to zoom.us, clicking Join a Meeting, and typing in your meeting ID. A Zoom account is only required if you want to host your own meetings.
Can I schedule a meeting for later instead of starting it right now?
Yes. In the Zoom app, click Schedule a Meeting instead of New Meeting. Choose the date and time you want, add a title, and click Save. Zoom sends you a link and meeting ID that you can share with others. At the scheduled time, you open the app and click Start to begin the meeting.
What if someone joins my meeting without permission?
You can remove them by clicking the Participants button, finding their name, and clicking the Remove option next to it. You can also turn on the waiting room in settings so that everyone has to wait for you to let them in. This prevents surprises and gives you control over who enters.
Can I use Zoom on my work computer if my company does not have a license?
Yes. The free version of Zoom works on any computer, including work computers. However, check your company's policies first — some organizations restrict what software employees can download. If your company uses a different video conferencing tool like Teams or Google Meet, they may prefer you use that instead.
Why does my video look blurry or my audio sound choppy?
This usually means your internet connection is slow or unstable. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, close other apps that use the internet, or switch to a wired connection if possible. You can also turn off your video to reduce the data Zoom needs to send, which often improves audio quality.