How to use the web version of Zoom without the app
Zoom has dedicated desktop apps (macOS and Windows) and mobile apps (iOS and Android). You can join a meeting from the comfort of your desktop or on the go from your phone. Zoom also has a web app. It is less powerful than its desktop apps but you can use it to join a meeting with audio and video.
Use web version of Zoom
When you click a link or invite to a Zoom meeting, the link opens in your browser but your browser will prompt you to open the Zoom app. If you do not have the Zoom app installed, or you would rather attend a meeting with a different account in your browser, you can use the web version. Here’s how you can force Zoom to use switch to the web version instead of pushing to use the desktop app.
Use web version of Zoom without app
This method will work regardless if you have the Zoom app installed on your desktop or not. If you have it installed, and you use it occasionally, you don’t need to remove it.
- Click the link or invite to the Zoom meeting or paste the link in your browser.
- When your browser prompts you to open Zoom, click the Cancel button.
- Accept the cookies on the Zoom website.
- Scroll down on the page where you see the ‘Launch Meeting’ button and click Join from your browser.
- The meeting will open in your browser.
- Sign in if you are prompted to.
- Enter the password for the meeting if required.
- Allow your browser access to your mic.
- Allow your browser access to your camera.
- You will be able to join the meeting from the browser.
Compatible browsers
All modern browsers are compatible with Zoom. You can use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera to join a meeting. In some cases, you may have one or two extra steps for allowing the browser access to your mic and camera but beyond that, the process is the same.
Conclusion
The Zoom web app is powerful but you will find that it lacks plenty of features that the desktop app has. You cannot schedule meetings from the web app, you cannot share your screen, and you cannot switch between devices during a meeting that has been started or joined from the web. These may seem like small, niche cases but they’re commonly used and included in the free version of Zoom. If you use Zoom often, it is best to install the desktop app for it instead of relying on the web version.
