To hide participants’ videos from one another in Zoom, enable Focus Mode under Settings > Meeting > In Meeting (Advanced), then start it as the host or co-host during the meeting. To hide profile pictures, use Host tools; older versions call this menu Security.
Zoom is a handy tool for hosting virtual meetings with ease. However, there may be times when you want to hide certain participants from view. Perhaps you’re hosting a large meeting and only want to focus on the people who are actively speaking.
Whatever the reason, Zoom enables you to hide the participants on Zoom with this quick guide. Keep reading to learn how to do this!
How to Hide Participants in Zoom Through Focus Mode
The easiest way to hide participants’ videos from other attendees is through Focus Mode. It works in the Windows and Mac desktop apps, the iOS and Android apps, and the Zoom web app. Focus Mode applies to the main meeting, not breakout rooms.
When you start Focus Mode, attendees see the host, co-hosts, spotlighted participants and their own video. Other attendees’ names and reactions remain visible, and unmuted voices remain audible. The host and co-hosts can still see everyone’s video. First, enable the feature for your account:
1. Open the Zoom website from a web browser and log in to your account.
2. Open “Settings” in the navigation menu, then select the Meeting tab. The screenshots below show an older web portal layout.
3. Open “In Meeting (Advanced)” and find Focus Mode.
4. Turn on the Toggle beside the Focus Mode.
Done! This makes Focus Mode available; it does not start it in an ongoing meeting. If the setting is locked or grayed out, contact your Zoom administrator.
In the current Windows or Mac app, open More > Host tools > Advanced, switch Focus mode on, and confirm Start. Switch it off in the same place to end it. In the web app, use More > Start Focus Mode, then Stop Focus Mode to finish.
How to Hide Participant’s Profile Picture in a Zoom Meeting
You can also hide participant profile pictures and display names instead. This does not hide live camera video or make participants anonymous, so it should not be treated as a recording privacy guarantee. Here are the steps:
1. Start a meeting as the host.
2. Open Host tools in the meeting toolbar, using More if needed. The screenshot below shows the older “Security” menu.
3. Enable “Hide Profile Pictures” or “Hide all profile pictures.” In the reorganized desktop Host tools menu, look under Advanced. The older screenshot below shows the same control under Security.
That’s it! Now Zoom will hide the profile picture of the participant and show the name instead.
Conclusion
Learning how to hide participants in a Zoom meeting puts the spotlight on the presenter, making it easier for attendees to follow along. It also gives you room to adjust the meeting layout to suit different audiences and situations, whether you’re running a workshop, a webinar, or a small team catch-up. And what’s good is that it can be done easily by following the steps discussed above! Do let us know if you have any further queries.
Thank you for reading!
