Zoom has become one of the most popular video conferencing platforms, allowing people to meet virtually for work, school, or personal calls. While the Zoom mobile and desktop apps provide the full experience, you can also join Zoom meetings using just your phone.
Joining by phone allows you to participate in the meeting audio, similar to dialing into a conference call. You won’t have video, but it’s a great option for situations where you only have phone access.
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Prerequisites for Joining Zoom by Phone
To join a Zoom meeting by phone, you’ll need:
- The meeting ID number
- An audio conferencing number or call-in number
- The meeting passcode if one is set
The meeting organizer should provide these details in the invitation they send out.
Tip: Save the audio conferencing numbers in your phone so you can easily dial in next time.
Steps to Join a Zoom Meeting by Phone
Follow these simple steps to join a meeting just using your phone:
- Dial the conferencing number. Use the number provided by the meeting organizer when they scheduled the meeting. International numbers may be available.
- Enter the meeting ID number. This is also provided by the meeting organizer. Follow the voice prompts on the Zoom phone line to input the ID using your phone keypad.
- Enter your participant ID. If you don’t have a participant ID, just press # to continue.
- Enter the meeting passcode if prompted. Not all meetings have a passcode. Input the digits using your phone keypad.
Once you complete those steps, you will join the meeting audio. The meeting host may need to manually unmute you before you can speak.
Tip: Enable keypad tones on your phone so you can easily enter the meeting ID and passcode.
Participating in a Zoom Phone Call
Here are some tips for participating once you’ve dialed into a Zoom meeting audio:
- Mute/Unmute – To mute or unmute yourself, press *6 on your phone keypad. The meeting host can also control mute settings.
- Enable Speakers – To route the Zoom call through your phone’s speaker, press *0 on your phone keypad. This allows you to set your phone down and still participate.
- Leave Meeting – Hang up the phone to disconnect your audio from the meeting completely.
The meeting host has full control over the call and participant settings. So you may be automatically muted upon joining or hear prompts about recording and other call features.
Troubleshooting Issues When Joining by Phone
If you have trouble joining Zoom by phone, try these tips:
- Check if the number works – Dial the conferencing number outside the meeting to confirm you have a good connection.
- Double check access codes – Reconfirm the exact meeting ID, participant ID, and passcode with the host.
- Contact your phone carrier – There could be an issue with international dial-in numbers or carrier-specific restrictions blocking access.
- Use cell data or Wi-Fi – If using a mobile phone, try toggling on/off your cell data or Wi-Fi to refresh the connection.
You can ask the meeting host to troubleshoot issues on their end as well. They can try restarting the call or confirming teleconferencing settings for the meeting.
Joining by Phone vs Mobile or Desktop App
While dialing into Zoom with your phone works, there are some additional limitations compared to using the mobile or desktop apps:
Phone
- Audio only
- No video
- Limited call controls
- Difficult to screen share
Mobile or Desktop App
- Video conferencing
- Full call capabilities
- Easy screen sharing
- Works across all devices
If possible, download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app on your iOS or Android device to enjoy the full meeting experience. You can also install the app on computers and laptops. But when on the go without a device handy, dialing the audio works great.
Making Zoom Calls from Your Phone
In addition to joining meetings, you can use your phone to directly start or schedule meetings with toll-free numbers:
- Start an instant meeting – Simply dial a Zoom toll-free number and enter the meeting ID to instantly start a meeting.
- Schedule a meeting – From your mobile contacts, tap the “Schedule Meeting” option next to a contact to schedule a meeting using Zoom’s toll-free numbers.
This way, you can quickly create an impromptu meeting or prepare a scheduled call just from your smartphone.
Conclusion
Dialing into Zoom doesn’t require any fancy technology, just your trusty telephone. With the meeting ID, passcodes, and dial-in number provided by the host, anyone can easily access the meeting audio from their phone.
So next time you need to join a Zoom meeting on short notice, don’t panic if your computer or mobile device isn’t available. Simply call the number, enter the meeting ID, and you’re connected right away.
