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Can you use Zoom on your Chromebook? Will it work?
Yes. You can use Zoom on your Chromebook to take calls and to schedule calls. Everything works, except for the Virtual Backgrounds feature.
In this article, I will walk you through installing and setting up Zoom on your Chrome OS.
Can you install the Zoom app on your Chromebook?
You cannot install the Zoom Android app on all Chromebooks. I couldn’t install the app on my Pixel Slate, but the app works fine on the Pixelbook.
You can, however install the official Chrome app and that should do the job.
Install Zoom
As a first step, let us install Zoom on your Chromebook. Head over to Chrome Web Store here and install the official Zoom app.
Click Add to Chrome to install the app.
Next, click Add app to confirm.
Google Chrome will now download Zoom and install it on your Chromebook. When the app is ready, click Launch app.
Launch the Zoom App/Client
You can launch the Zoom app using the Launch app button soon after installing it.
What if you want to open the app again?
Open the Chromebook launcher and click the Zoom app icon.
If you use the app regularly, you can pin the zoom desktop client to the taskbar. Open the app, and while it is open, right-click the icon and choose Pin.
Join a Zoom Meeting
You can use the Zoom app without logging in or creating an account. All you need is a meeting ID or a personal link name.
Enter the meeting ID, provide a screen name (the name that will appear on the meeting screen) and click Join.
Log into Zoom
If you already have a Zoom account, log in using your username and password. If you do not have an account yet, you can sign up for a new account now.
You can also sign in using your Facebook or Google account. To login using your company or school account, click Sign in with SSO.
Zoom Scheduler Extension
Zoom also has an official Chrome extension to schedule calls and meetings. You can install the extension from the Chrome Web Store.
Zoom Scheduler Extension – Install from here.
What is the use of the Zoom Scheduler extension?
- Start an instant meeting
- Schedule a meeting
- Schedule a meeting for other
If you use Google calendar to schedule meetings, you can quickly add a Zoom meeting link using this extension.
Zoom Virtual Background on Chromebook
Virtual backgrounds can make your Zoom meetings exciting. However, this does not work on the Chromebook app.
To use the Zoom virtual background feature, you will have to use it on a PC or Mac. You can find more detail here.
Update: The Android version of the Zoom app now supports Virtual Backgrounds. If you are using the Android app on your Chromebook, update the app to the latest version to use this feature.
Zoom App Gallery View
While you are on a Zoom meeting, you’ll find the option to switch between Gallery View and Speaker View on the top-right corner.
You’ll see the option to switch to Speaker view in the same place.
You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts:
- Switch to Speaker view: CTRL + ALT + 1
- Switch to Gallery view: CTRL + ALT + 3
Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts on Chromebook
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts while on a Zoom call, here is a list of them for your Chromebook:
| Action | Keyboard Shortcut |
| Switch to Speaker view | CTRL + ALT + 1 |
| Switch to Gallery view | CTRL + ALT + 3 |
| Start or stop video | ALT + V |
| Mute or unmute my audio | ALT + A |
| Start sharing screen | ALT + S |
| Enter or exit full-screen mode | ALT + F |
| Display or hide chat | ALT + H |
| Open the Invite window | ALT + I |
View Participants
While you are in a meeting, click the Participants icon to view people who are attending your meeting.
To share screen during a Zoom call, click the Share icon on the toolbar at the bottom of your app’s screen.
If your host has not enabled screen sharing, you will see a notification:
If you see this message, request your host to enable screen sharing for participants. Here is a screenshot from the Android app running on another Chromebook:
Zoom App Settings
To access Zoom app settings on your Chromebook, click the gear icon on the top-right corner.
The Settings panel will open as a popup.
Summary
It is useful to install and use Zoom on your Chromebook if you need it for school or work.
If you are using it temporarily for a quick meeting, you could simply use the web version of Zoom. This way, you can attend a zoom meeting or call without installing the app.
I hope you found this guide useful. If you have questions, let me know in the comments section.
Thanks!
You are welcome! Anything you would want me to add to this guide?
Is there a keyboard shortcut for Leaving a meeting?
Try CTRL + W
is it possible to see participants during a screen share?
Hi Dinsan,
Talk about breakout rooms and co hosting
I will review this and add it. Thanks, Aldo!
I’m working with teachers using Chromebooks. Is it possible to share you screen and see participants? So far we haven’t found a solution. We are a school for the Deaf so it’s important to be able to share the screen and see the students.
Hi Valerie,
I have updated the article with instructions and screenshots. Please check and let me know if this is useful.
The issue isn’t simply sharing, but sharing AND seeing participants during the share. On a laptop or desktop, you can see the line of screens of participants alongside the share, so you can keep an eye on them. But on a Chromebook, you can’t see the participants if you’re sharing your screen. I’m wondering if that is simply disabled on a Chromebook?
Thank you!
Are you able to install the Android app?
The Chromebook Zoom app is missing multiple important functions that you did not mention.
Links posted in the chat are not clickable. Students using Chromebooks need to copy, navigate to browser, paste and go. This is a barrier for many students and teachers.
Participant annotation does not work. Another teaching barrier.
Remote Control does not work. Barrier.
Meeting reactions. No.
Share mobile device. No.
Share document camera. Nope.
Zoom needs to fast track the full browser version release date. They will lose every school district contract if they don’t.
If you post a link in chat, the link will not be clickable on chromebooks. This is a major issue in my opinion. It is hard for young students and students with disabilities to copy it, open a new window, and paste. This should be an easy fix!!! It is very frustrating as a teacher.
Is there any specific error that you get?
Can students on Chromebooks use the ‘whiteboard’ feature of Zoom? I’m thinking that they cannot, but would like to know for sure.