Getting Started With Zoom Captioning

Overview

Closed captioning allows you or another meeting attendee, assigned by the host, to add closed captioning in a meeting. In a webinar, closed captioning can be typed by the host, co-host, or a panelist assigned by the host.  You can type the closed captions directly via Zoom or you can integrate a third party service. Learn how to view closed captions on the desktop client / mobile app and in Zoom Rooms.

You can also integrate a third-party closed captioning service using a REST API.

This article covers:

• Enabling closed caption
  • Account
  • Group
  • User
• Starting closed captioning in a meeting
• Entering closed captions as a participant
• Using closed captioning in breakout rooms

Prerequisites

• Zoom Desktop Client (enter or view captions)
  • Windows: 3.5.37712.0111 or higher
  • macOS: 3.5.37712.0111 or higher
  • Linux: 3.5.37712.0111 or higher
• Zoom Mobile App (view captions only)
  • Android: 4.0.21521.0116 or higher
  • iOS: 4.0.21521.0116 or higher
• Zoom Rooms for Conference Room for Windows, 3.6 or higher (view captions only)
• Zoom Rooms Controller (view captions only)
  • Android: 4.0.21521.0116 or higher
  • iOS: 4.0.21521.0116 or higher

Enabling closed caption

Account

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal
2. In the navigation panel, click Account Management then Account Settings.
3. Click the Meeting tab.
4. Verify that Closed Caption is enabled.
5. If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, click Turn On to verify the change.
6. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in your account, click the lock icon, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.

Group

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. In the navigation panel, click User Management then Group Management.
3. Click the applicable group name from the list, then click the Settings tab.
4. Click the Meeting tab.
5. Verify that Closed Caption is enabled.
6. If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, click Turn On to verify the change.
   Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at the account level and needs to be changed at that level.
7. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in the group, click the lock icon, and then click Lock to confirm the setting.

User

To enable the closed captioning for your own use:

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. In the navigation panel, click Settings.
3. Click the Meeting tab.
4. Verify that Closed Caption is enabled.
5. If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, click Turn On to verify the change.
   Note: If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at either the group or account level. You need to contact your Zoom admin.

Starting closed captioning in a meeting

1. In a Zoom meeting or webinar that you are hosting, click Closed Caption.
   
2. Click one of these options:
   
   • Assign a participant to type: Opens the participants window. Hover over the participant’s name and click More then Assign to Type Closed Caption.
     
   • I will type: Opens the closed captioning window for you to manually type closed captions.
     
   • Copy the API token: Copy the URL that you can provide to a third-party closed captioning service to integrate the service with your meeting.

Entering closed captions as a participant

1. Once the host assigns you the ability to type closed captions, a notification will appear in your meeting controls.
   
2. Click Closed Caption.
3. This will open up the closed caption box. You will type the caption in the box and press Enter to submit it.
   

Using closed captioning in breakout rooms

If you’re the meeting host, we recommend using a third-party closed captioning service if you want closed captions in breakout rooms.

If you want to a participant to type closed captions, make sure you assign them permission to type closed caption before starting the breakout room sessions:

Note: You can only assign one participant to type closed caption, meaning only one breakout room will have closed captions after you start the breakout room sessions.

After you start breakout room sessions, participants can click Closed Caption in the meeting controls to view closed captions.

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/207279736-Getting-started-with-closed-captioning