Can you change the host of a zoom meeting before it starts?

Sharing hosting privileges is simple

Updated on January 10, 2022

What to Know

• Change hosts by clicking the participant's name and clicking Make Host.
• It's possible to add a co-host or change hosting privileges before a meeting, but you must have a paid account.
• Co-hosts have many hosting privileges, but they cannot make other participants hosts.

This article teaches you how to change the host in a Zoom meeting and explains any limitations to the process. 

Can I Transfer a Zoom Meeting to Another Host? 

Yes. With all Zoom meetings, it's possible to transfer hosting controls to a different user. This feature is convenient if the original host must leave before the meeting concludes. 

There is a catch, though. If the original host is a free user of Zoom rather than someone with a business account, the meeting is limited to 40 minutes. That remains the case even if the new host has a paid version of Zoom and can typically host for an unlimited amount of time. 

How Do I Change the Host on a Zoom Before Meeting?

The process is relatively simple if you want to change hosts before a Zoom meeting. Here's how to add an alternative host via the meeting scheduling tool.

The ability to add alternative hosts is only available to paid or licensed Zoom users. Those with free plan accounts can only change hosts while a meeting is underway. Alternative hosts also need to be paid users of Zoom. 

1. Open Zoom.
   

2. Click Meetings.
   

3. Click Edit next to the meeting name.
   

4. Click Advanced Options.
   

5. Enter the email address of the alternative host you wish to add.
   

6. Click Save.
   

7. The extra host is now added to your meeting.
   

Where Is the Host Control in Zoom?

Once a Zoom meeting is underway, it's pretty straightforward to change the host thanks to Zoom's host controls. Here's where to look and how to pass control over to another user. 

1. Open Zoom.
   

2. Begin the meeting either by clicking New Meeting or joining via an invite.
   

3. Click Participants.

4. Find the name of the person you wish to make host.
   

5. Hover over the name and click More.
   

6. Click Make Host.
   

7. Click Change Host.
   

8. That user is now the host of the Zoom call, and the original host can leave the meeting.
   

Can You Have Two Hosts on Zoom?

It's possible to set up a Zoom meeting with two hosts where both of you can manage the administrative side of things. You need to have a paid/licensed Zoom plan to do so. The feature is not available for free users of Zoom. Here's how to set it up.

Co-hosts cannot end meetings for all participants, make other participants a host, and they cannot start live streaming or start closed captioning.

1. Sign into the Zoom website.
   

2. Click Account Management.
   

3. Click Account Settings.
   

4. Click In Meeting (Basic).
   

5. Scroll down and toggle Co-host to on.
   

6. Co-hosts can now be added to your Zoom meetings. 
   

7. To add them within the meeting, follow the instructions for changing host and click Make Co-Host instead of Change Host. 
   

FAQ

• Can anyone mute the host on Zoom?

  Only the host or co-host can mute all participants on Zoom. If you are the host and wish to mute yourself during a Zoom meeting, press Mute > Alt+A (Windows) or Command+Shift+A (Mac). Select Participants, hover over the host's name and select Mute to mute a co-host.

• How do you find your host key on Zoom?

  The host key is a six-digit PIN you use to control a meeting. You can find your host key by going to your Zoom Profile page, scrolling down to Host Key, and selecting Show. To customize your host key, select Edit, enter the six digits you want to use and click Save.

Thanks for letting us know!

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

Subscribe