How to Make Someone a Co-Host on Zoom

Navigating Zoom meetings can be challenging, especially when managing a large number of participants. Assigning a co-host can significantly ease the process, allowing for a more organized and efficient meeting.

This guide will walk you through the steps of making someone a co-host on Zoom, detailing their responsibilities, and explaining how this role differs from that of the host. By the end, you'll understand how to effectively leverage co-hosts to enhance your Zoom meeting experience.

For more detailed tips and resources, check out our complete Zoom guide, as well as related topics like how to find Zoom recordings and using AI note-taking with Zoom meetings.

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What is a Co-Host or Alternative Host on Zoom?

A co-host or alternative host on Zoom shares some of the host's responsibilities during a meeting. While the host starts the meeting, co-hosts help manage it. They can mute participants, manage breakout rooms and the waiting room, and more. This role makes it easier to run large or complex meetings smoothly.

Differences Between Host and Co-Host Roles

• Host: The person who schedules and starts the meeting. Only one host per meeting.
• Co-Host: Assigned during the meeting by the host. Multiple co-hosts can be assigned.
  

Key Differences:

1. Meeting Control: The host has full control—can end the meeting for all. Co-hosts cannot.
2. Assignment: The host can assign and remove co-hosts. Co-hosts cannot assign other co-hosts.
3. Starting the Meeting: It's important to note that the co-host start function is not available for them, so they cannot initiate the meeting. Only the host can initiate the meeting.

Why Assign a Co-Host on Zoom?

Assigning a co-host on Zoom isn't just a good idea—it's essential for managing larger or more complex meetings. Here’s why having a co-host can make a significant difference:

Improved Meeting Management

A co-host can help manage various aspects of the meeting and managing participants, making everything run more smoothly:

• Muting Participants: Co-hosts can mute or unmute participants, ensuring that background noise doesn't disrupt the meeting.
• Managing Breakout Rooms: They can organize and oversee breakout rooms, which is crucial for workshops or group activities.
• Screen Sharing Control: Co-hosts can control who shares their screen, preventing unwanted interruptions.
  

Enhanced Participant Engagement

Engaging participants becomes easier with a co-host:

• Monitoring Chat and Q&A: A co-host can keep an eye on the chat and Q&A sections, making sure all questions and comments are addressed.
• Launching Polls: They can also start and manage polls, helping to gather instant feedback from participants.
• Spotlighting Speakers: Co-hosts can spotlight different speakers, ensuring everyone gets the attention they need.
  

Shared Responsibilities for Smoother Meetings

Sharing the workload ensures a more organized and effective meeting:

• Focus on Content: The host can concentrate on delivering content while the co-host handles technical aspects.
• Task Delegation: Different tasks can be assigned to different people, making the meeting more efficient.
• Real-Time Problem Solving: If any issues arise, the co-host can address them immediately, without interrupting the flow of the meeting.
  

Backup for Technical Issues and Interruptions

Technical issues can happen at any time, and having a co-host provides a safety net:

• Maintaining Continuity: If the host's internet connection fails, the co-host can take over and keep the meeting going.
• Troubleshooting: Co-hosts can help troubleshoot technical problems that participants might face, such as audio or connectivity issues.
• Emergency Management: In case the host needs to leave unexpectedly, the co-host ensures that the meeting continues smoothly.

Assigning a co-host in Zoom meetings enhances control, engagement, and reliability. This makes the overall experience better for everyone involved.

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How to Enable Co-Host Feature in Zoom Settings

Enabling the co-host feature in Zoom is straightforward but requires a few key steps. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Co-Host Feature

1. Log in to Zoom Web Portal: Open your browser and go to zoom.us. Sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to Settings: On the left-hand side menu, click on "Settings."
3. Go to Meeting Settings: Under the "Meeting" tab, scroll down to the "In Meeting (Basic)" section.
4. Enable Co-Host: Find the "Co-host" setting and toggle it on.

5. Save Changes: Ensure you save any changes you make.
   

Requirements for adding an alternative host on Zoom

Account Type: Only certain Zoom accounts have the alternative host feature. Here’s what you need:

• Pro, Business, Education, or API Partner Plan: Basic (free) accounts do not have access to the alternative host feature.
• Admin Privileges: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to edit account settings.
  

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the steps above, you might encounter some issues. Here’s how to solve them:

• Co-Host Option Not Visible: If you don’t see this option, ensure your account type supports it. Also, check if you have the latest version of Zoom.
• Permissions Problems: Double-check if you have admin rights. Only admins can enable this feature.
• Update Zoom: Sometimes, updating your Zoom client can solve unexpected issues.
• Browser Cache: Clear your browser cache if settings do not appear to save correctly.

By following these steps and checking the requirements, you ensure the feature is enabled and ready for use in your next meeting.

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How to Make Someone a Co-Host During a Zoom Meeting

Assigning a co-host during a live Zoom call is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth process.

Detailed Steps to Assign Co-Host During a Live Meeting

1. Start Your Zoom Meeting: Begin your meeting as you normally would.
2. Open the Participants Panel: Click "Participants" located on the meeting controls at the bottom of your Zoom window.
3. Select the Participant: In the participants panel, hover over the name of the person you prefer.
4. Click ‘More’: Click the “More” button that appears next to their name.
5. Choose ‘Make Co-Host’: From the dropdown menu, select “Make Co-Host.”

Image from Zoom

6. Confirm the Action: A pop-up will ask you to confirm that you want to make this participant a co-host. Click “Yes.”
   

Tips for Effective Zoom Co-Hosts Assignment

Assigning a co-host to share hosting privileges can enhance your meeting experience:

• Choose Trusted Individuals: Select participants who understand Zoom and are responsible.
• Communicate Responsibilities: Explain their roles clearly before or during the meeting.
• Monitor Performance: Ensure your co-hosts are managing their tasks well.
  

What to Do If Co-Host Option Is Not Available

If you can't find the co-host option during your meeting:

• Check Your Account Type: Confirm you have a Pro, Business, Education, or API Partner Plan.
• Update Zoom: Ensure your Zoom client is up to date.
• Verify Settings: Go back to your Zoom settings and make sure the feature is enabled.
• Restart the Meeting: Sometimes, simply ending the meeting and restarting it can fix the issue.

By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently assign co-hosts during your Zoom meetings, ensuring a smoother and more organized session.

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How to Make Someone a Co-Host Before a Zoom Meeting

Setting up a co-host before your scheduled Zoom meetings can save you time. Here’s how to do it:

Using Zoom Scheduling Tools

After you’ve enabled this feature in your settings, check out Zoom’s other tools to help you schedule meetings and assign co-hosts:

• Schedule a Meeting: Navigate to the “Meetings” tab and click “Schedule a Meeting.”
• Fill in Meeting Details: Enter the necessary information such as topic, description, date, and time.
• Assign Alternative Hosts: Scroll down to the “Options” section, and find the “Alternative Hosts” field. Enter the email addresses of the people you want to make co-hosts. If adding multiple, separate each email with a comma.
  

Sending Co-Host Invitations

Once you've scheduled the meeting and assigned co-hosts:

• Send Invites: Click “Save” and then use the provided options to send invitations—these can be sent via email, calendar invites, or through a copy of the meeting link.
• Inform Co-Hosts: Communicate with your alternative hosts to let them know they have been assigned this role. This helps them prepare in advance.
  

Ensuring Co-Host Privileges Are Active Before the Meeting Starts

To make sure everything is set before the meeting:

• Verify Settings: Double-check the meeting settings to ensure the co-host feature is enabled.
• Test Run: Conduct a test meeting with your co-hosts to confirm they have the necessary privileges.
• Update Zoom: Make sure all participants, especially co-hosts, have the latest version of Zoom installed.

By setting up co-hosts in advance, using Zoom’s scheduling tools effectively, sending clear invitations, and ensuring all settings are correct, you can ensure your meeting runs seamlessly from start to finish.

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How Can Tactiq Streamline Zoom Meetings?

Tactiq is an advanced tool designed to enhance your Zoom meetings by offering live transcriptions, AI-generated summaries, and customizable prompts. Here’s how it can improve your co-hosting experience:

• Live Transcriptions and AI Summaries: Tactiq provides real-time transcriptions during your Zoom meetings, capturing every step of the co-host setup process. This ensures that all instructions are documented, making it easy to review and share with co-hosts to clarify roles and responsibilities.
• Automatic Note-Taking: By automating the note-taking process, Tactiq allows you to focus on the meeting without worrying about missing critical points. Accurate documentation of every instruction ensures that co-host assignments are clear and precise.
• AI Meeting Kits and Prompts: Tactiq offers AI meeting kits and customizable prompts to streamline follow-up tasks. These features help you efficiently manage post-meeting activities, ensuring all critical details are addressed and follow-up tasks are completed promptly.
• Searchable Transcripts: Tactiq generates searchable transcripts, allowing you to quickly find specific instructions or details about the co-host setup. This reduces the risk of overlooking important steps and ensures all critical actions are followed.
• Seamless Integration: Tactiq integrates with Zoom and other productivity tools, automating follow-up activities with reusable one-click actions, ensuring maximum productivity in your meetings.

By leveraging Tactiq's powerful features, you can transform your Zoom meetings into efficient, well-documented, and productive sessions. Whether managing a small team or coordinating large-scale projects, Tactiq helps you stay organized, save time, and enhance collaboration. Download the free Tactiq Chrome Extension today!