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How to Use Remote Control on Zoom

How to Updated on:  February 7, 2023

With Zoom, you won’t have to install a remote control app to access another user’s desktop while in a meeting because Zoom has this option integrated into the app.

Using Zoom’s remote screen control feature you can have full access to another user’s computer, including their peripherals like a keyboard and mouse.

In this article, you’ll learn how to use remote control on Zoom to your advantage.

How to Enable or Disable Remote Control

Before proceeding with the steps, make sure that you’re authorized to use or that you have this feature on your account. You should also note that the steps may differ depending on what type of user you are, i.e., group, user, or account.

To enable or disable the remote control on Zoom, simply follow these steps:

1. First, log in to your Zoom web portal.
   
   
2. Next, go to your Settings. In the navigation menu to the left-hand side of your screen, select Settings.
   
   
3. Then, open the Meeting tab.
   
   
4. Enable or disable the Remote Control feature. While in the Meeting tab, hover over the Meeting (Basic) portion and click on the Remote Control feature toggle.
   
   
5. A dialogue box will appear. Select Enable/Disable when asked if you are sure about making the change.
   
   
6. You can also share your clipboard during remote access. This means you can copy and paste information from one machine to another. To enable, simply tick the Allow remote controlling user to share clipboard. Then, click Save.

Note: If you’re using a Mac computer, you’ll first need to give Zoom permission in your Privacy and Security preferences before proceeding with the steps above.

How to Request Remote Control in Zoom Desktop Application?

You can access another participant’s computer while in a Zoom meeting by simply sending that user a Zoom request control. Follow the steps below to be able to manage or view another person’s files via Zoom while in a meeting:

1. To get started, join or create a Zoom meeting. Make sure that you’re both using the Zoom application.
   
   
2. Next, the person whose computer you’re requesting access to should be sharing their screen. They can do this by clicking on the Share Screen button in the Zoom toolbar at the bottom of their screen.
   
   
3. While the other user is sharing their screen, click View Options in the top part of your in-meeting window.
   
   
4. After that, select Zoom Request Remote Control
   
   
5. Upon clicking, a pop-up window will appear. Then, click on Request.
   
   
6. Wait for the other user to accept your request. They will receive a notification on their desktop client after you request remote access.
   
   
7. Once they accept the request, you’ll be able to control their computer via the screen share window.
   
   
8. Stop remote access by clicking on the Give up remote control option.
   
   

How to Give Remote Control in Zoom on Desktop?

Now, if you want to give another user remote control in the same meeting as you access to your computer via the Zoom desktop client, simply follow the steps below:

1. While you’re sharing your screen, click on Remote Control, then select a user from the list to give permission to control your screen.
   
   
2. To stop the remote control session, click on Remote Control again, then select Stop Remote Control. This should prevent the user from gaining remote zoom access to your screen again.
   
   

How to Use Remote Control on Zoom on a Mobile Device

If you’re using Zoom on your mobile device, you will not be able to request control on Zoom access to another user’s computer. However, other participants will still be able to give you remote access to their screens. This is the only way for a Zoom mobile user to use the remote control feature.

To use the remote control on a mobile device, here’s what you can do:

1. Once given permission to access another participant’s device remotely, click on the remote control button to start.
   
   
2. On Zoom mobile, you’ll see a mouse icon on your screen indicating where the mouse pointer is at. You can press and drag this icon around the screen for mouse control.
   
   
3. To left-click, tap once and to right-click, tap and hold.
   
   
4. To type, press the Keyboard icon.
   
   
5. To zoom in, simply pinch the share screen in or out.

Tip: It’s better to use this feature with your mobile device on landscape. Make sure that your device rotation is enabled.

Reasons to Give or Request Remote Control in Zoom

The remote control feature on Zoom is useful for different applications.

In an online classroom setup, teachers can use this feature to check their students’ papers when physically submitting papers is not an option.

In an online work setup, team members can use this feature to allow their employers to access their worksheets and show the progress they’ve made with their online tasks. This can save both parties’ time by eliminating the need to share files through other third-party apps while in a meeting.

You can also use this feature to help friends and family navigate through their computers, troubleshoot problems, and fix issues when they don’t know how. For example, you can help non-techie relatives fix internet connectivity issues, download software, transfer files, and more.

On top of that, this feature is also an effective tool to expedite a remote support session in the workplace or resolutions to remote teams PC issues.