Zoom faced a lot of criticism over security issues earlier this year. Over time, they have greatly improved their privacy and security concerns. A security feature that many privacy-conscious users have long requested is end-to-end encryption for meetings. As promised by Zoom, the feature is now available. Wondering how to enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom? Find your answer here.
Although Zoom previously provided encryption for calls, the noise was related to decrypting content occurring on Zoom servers using these generated keys. Now with end-to-end encryption (E2EE), encryption keys are generated by participating machines and distributed using common encryption mechanisms. So Zoom servers have little or no details about these keys. Thus, this new encryption feature offers more security.
Let’s see how to enable and disable end-to-end encryption in Zoom. The post also covers what it is by enabling end-to-end encryption and whether you should enable it.
Supported Platforms and Accounts for End-to-End Encryption
The end-to-end encryption feature is available to all Zoom users, regardless of whether they have a free or paid account. However, free/basic account users will have to verify their mobile number when they enable end-to-end encryption.
From now on, Zoom end-to-end encryption is available in Zoom desktop clients (Windows and Mac), mobile apps (Android and iOS), and Zoom Rooms.
Note: Please update your Zoom apps before using this feature. To update mobile apps, open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for Zoom. Tap on Update. Click the profile picture icon in the desktop client and select Check for update from the menu.
The Zoom web client and third-party services using the Zoom SDK do not support E2EE by default. Similarly, if a meeting is end-to-end encrypted, users cannot join from the phone, SIP/H.323 devices, on-premises configurations, or Lync/Skype clients.
Steps to Enable End-to-End Encryption in Zoom
To enable E2EE, you need to change an account setting, which is only possible by logging in from the web version of Zoom. You can change this at a user, group, or account level.
Enabling End-to-End Encryption at User Level
Here are the detailed steps:
Stage 1: Go to the Zoom Home page. Sign in with your Zoom account information. You will be redirected to the Zoom account page.
Step 2: Click on Settings from the left panel.
Stage 3: Under the Meeting tab, click Security.
Step 4: Scroll down and enable the toggle next to Allow the use of end-to-end encryption.
Step 5: You will be asked to verify your number. So yes, you have to do what is necessary.
Step 6: After verification, you will need to select the default encryption type on the same page. Check the box next to end-to-end encryption. Click the Save button.
Pro Tip: Learn how to change name in Zoom on mobile and PC.
Enabling End-to-End Encryption for Groups
Stage 1: Zoom Open the login page. Sign in using the administrator account details.
Step 2: Click User Management > Group Management from the left panel.
Stage 3: Click on the group for which you want to enable end-to-end encryption. Click on Settings.
Step 4: Under the Meeting tab, click Security. Enable the toggle next to Allow the use of end-to-end encryption. Choose End-to-End encryption. Click Save.
Enabling End-to-End Encryption at the Account Level
Stage 1: Log in using the administrator details on the Zoom Login page.
Step 2: Click on Account Management from the left panel. Then click on Account settings.
Stage 3: Click the Meeting tab. Under Security, find the option Allow use of end-to-end encryption setting. Activate the toggle next to it. Select End-to-End encryption from the list of options. Click Save.
Note: Zooming may change the steps in the future. So, check the steps on Zoom’s support page for end-to-end encryption.
Disable End-to-End Encryption in Zoom
To disable end-to-end encryption, select Advanced encryption instead of End-to-end encryption in the steps above. If you want to turn encryption off completely, disable the switch next to Allow the use of end-to-end encryption.
Verifying that the Zoom Meeting is End-to-End Encrypted
When a Zoom meeting is end-to-end encrypted, all participants will see a green shield icon with a padlock in the middle in the upper left corner of the desktop client. Regular meetings also have a green shield icon, but with a checkmark inside.
Attendees can also verify the meeting security code with the host. A best practice would be for the host to read the code aloud so everyone can verify it. Click the green padlock icon in the upper left corner of the Zoom desktop app to view the code. Then click Verify.
Fly: Don’t know the Zoom meeting password? Check out our guide on how to find Zoom meeting password on mobile and PC.
In Zoom mobile apps, you’ll see the text E2EE at the top of a meeting. Tap on it to show the meeting code.
What Effect Does End-to-End Encryption Have on Zoom Meetings?
Zoom offers end-to-end encryption in four stages. Unfortunately, enabling end-to-end encryption at the current stage i.e. stage 1 will disable some features in Zoom. Them:
- Ability to join a meeting before the host
- cloud recording
- Streaming
- live transcription
- Break Rooms
- attendance
- 1:1 private chat
- Meeting reactions
Hopefully, these features will be restored in future stages of end-to-end encryption.
How Many Users Can Attend Zoom End-to-End Encrypted Meetings
Fly: Check out 9 tips for video conferencing on Zoom.
When Should You Enable End-to-End Encryption in Zoom?
As you can see above, enabling E2EE disables some important features. If you agree to this, you can enable end-to-end encryption for all your meetings for enhanced security. But if these features are important, you should avoid enabling end-to-end encryption until they are fully available.
Next: Want to share a video with audio in Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet? Find out how to achieve this at the next link.
