By configuring authentication profiles, admins can restrict the number of attendees in a meeting or webinar to one or more subscribed Zoom users, and even further restrict it to Zoom users whose email addresses match one or more particular domains. There are several reasons why this might be useful, such as limiting the list of participants to verified users or users belonging to a certain organization. Click here for info on configuring authentication profiles.

It is important to know that if a participant is not signed into Zoom at the time of joining the meeting or webinar, they are requested to sign in before proceeding. During sign in, a user is prompted to switch accounts if they are signed in with the wrong specified email domain for their account.

Furthermore, if an admin has enabled authentication exceptions, hosts can add authentication exceptions to specify email addresses that do not match the specified domains, but they will be able to join meetings without needing to follow authentication. It might be possible, for example, to create an exception where guest lecturers can join meetings and webinars, if a school only allows users signed in to join meetings and webinars. Users who are added as exceptions to authentication will receive unique meeting invitation links that will bypass authentication.

Prerequisites for requiring authentication

• Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account
• Zoom desktop client:
  • Windows: 5.0.0 (23168.0427) or higher
  • macOS: 5.0.0 (23161.0427) or higher
• Zoom mobile app:
  • Android: 5.0.0 (23161.0427) or higher
  • iOS: 5.0.0 (23161.0427) or higher
• Zoom web client

How to enable or disable authentication profiles at the user level

At the account level, authentication profiles need to be configured. It is the responsibility of your administrator to configure authentication profiles and disable them at the account level so that you can enable or disable them at the user level.

If you want to ensure that only authenticated users would be allowed to attend meeting sessions on your own devices:

1. Log in to the Zoom web portal by entering your email address and password.
2. Then click Settings from the navigation menu.
3. Select Meetings from the drop down list.
4. To enable or disable this setting, click the toggle next to Only authenticated users can join meetings under Security.
5. It is important to make sure the change was applied correctly by clicking Enable or Disable if a confirmation dialog appears.
   Please note that if the option is grayed out, then it has been locked from either the group level or from the account level. The administrator of Zoom needs to be contacted.

How to require authentication to join a meeting or webinar

1. Log in to the Zoom web portal by using your email address and password.
2. Choose the date and time of your meeting.
3. When you click Meeting Options or Webinar Options, you will find a link to Require authentication before you can join.
4. In case more than one Authentication Profile is configured, you can select the preferred Authentication Profile from the drop-down list.

How to add authentication exceptions

It is possible to add authentication exceptions for a particular meeting, all instances of a recurring meeting, or just a particular instance in case authentication exceptions have been enabled by an administrator.

Add to a new meeting

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal by entering your email address and password.
2. Select the meeting time that works best for you.
3. Select Generate Meeting ID automatically under Meeting ID.
4. Then, you have to check the box next to Require authentication to join the group under Security. For more information, please refer to the previous section.
5. Click on the Add button next to the Authentication Exception.
6. You will need to enter the email address and name of the guest participant.
7. If you want to add other exceptions, click Add Participant.
8. Then click Save.
9. If you want to schedule the meeting and make any other adjustments, click Save.

Add to an existing meeting

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal by entering your email address and password.
2. Next, click Meetings from the menu on the left.
3. To add an authentication exception to a meeting, find and locate the meeting you want to edit, then click Edit.
4. The editor will give you the option of either editing this recurring meeting or editing all recurring meetings.
5. Click on “Add Authentication Exception” to proceed.
6. Select the participant you would like to add.
7. Make sure to enter the email address and name of the guest participant.
8. If you want to add more participants, click Add Participant (Optional).
9. Then click Save.
10. If you need to make any other changes to the meeting settings, click Save.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does require authentication mean on Zoom webinar?

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