Zoom on the iPad

Basic instructions on how to be a participant in a Zoom meeting from your iPad. They’re aimed at seniors and other non-technical folks who are using Zoom with family and friends. Some of this advice isn’t ideal for business use.

I spent a few hours digging through dozens of YouTube videos and countless cheat sheets to find the least-bad choices; you can benefit from my suffering.

Videos

These tutorials do a good job of showing the basics without distractions or excessive details about advanced topics.

• This is the best tutorial I could find as of November 2020.
• A more basic view of things, but still valuable.
• Details on switching between seeing whoever is talking and seeing everyone (gallery view).

Cheat Sheets

A few short documents that distill things down to the minimum.

• The best of the bunch; the second page is worth printing out and leaving on your desk.
• How to join a Zoom meeting.
• Another how to join page A bit busy on the eyes, but it covers things quickly.

Tips for Using the App

• At the start of the meeting unmute your audio and turn on your video. But see below for how to use settings to do this automatically.
• Tap the screen to show the controls; they fade out again after a few seconds.
• Use Gallery View to see everyone in the meeting (the third video tutuorial above shows how to do this).

Useful Settings

Changing these settings will mean you have to do less fussing at the start of every meeting. Open the Zoom app, and in the corner of the main screen there’s a small gear-shaped icon that gives you access to the settings. In there are several headings, click on “Meetings”. You’ll want to change these three settings:

• Auto-Connect to Audio => Use Internet
• Always Mute My Microphone => Off
• Always Turn Off My Video => Off

If you see a setting for “Safe Driving Mode” turn that off as well.

Other Tips

• Zoom meetings use a lot of battery; plug in your iPad before you start, or make sure it’s charged up.
• It’s best to have the iPad level with your face; try not to look down at it.
• Putting your iPad on a stand will make things easier. You can use something like a cookbook stand, or buy a dedicated one from Amazon.
• Don’t sit with your back to a window or other bright light source. Make sure your face is well lit.
• Speak a bit more slowly and clearly than usual.
• Avoid speaking at the same time as someone else – try raising your hand when you have something to say.
• Minimize background noise. Turn off the TV and the stereo, close the windows if there’s traffic noise, keep barking dogs and crying babies out of the room.