Waiting Room

The waiting room (also called lobby) lets you screen participants before they join the meeting. When enabled, participants wait in a virtual lobby until a Host or Co-Host admits them.

How It Works

A participant attempts to join the meeting
Instead of entering directly, they're placed in the waiting room
The Host or Co-Host sees a notification of waiting participants
The Host or Co-Host can admit or deny each participant
Admitted participants enter the meeting

Who Can Manage the Waiting Room

Role	See Waiting List	Admit/Deny
Host	✅	✅
Co-Host	✅	✅
Presenter	❌	❌
Attendee	❌	❌

For Hosts and Co-Hosts

Viewing Waiting Participants

Open the Participants panel

Look for the Waiting Room or Lobby tab

See the list of people waiting to join

You'll also see a notification badge when someone is waiting.

Admitting Participants

Admit one person:

Find them in the waiting list
Click Admit next to their name

Admit everyone:

Click Admit All at the top of the waiting list
All waiting participants join at once

Denying Entry

If someone shouldn't join:

Find them in the waiting list
Click Deny or Remove
They're removed from the waiting room

Denied participants may be able to request to join again unless they're blocked.

For Participants

When You're in the Waiting Room

If you join a meeting with a waiting room enabled:

You'll see a "Waiting for host to let you in" message
Your camera and microphone are not yet active
Wait for the Host or Co-Host to admit you
Once admitted, you'll enter the meeting automatically

What You Can Do While Waiting

See the meeting name
See a waiting room message (if the host configured one)
Leave if you don't want to wait
Cannot see or hear the meeting in progress

Enabling the Waiting Room

The waiting room is configured when scheduling a meeting or in room settings:

When scheduling:

Toggle "Enable Waiting Room" in meeting options
Participants will need approval to join

In room settings (Admins):

Configure default waiting room behavior for the room
Set a custom waiting room message

Pre-meeting setting

The waiting room must be enabled before the meeting starts. It's a security feature to control access.

Use Cases

Security-sensitive meetings: Screen participants before they join sensitive discussions.

Webinars and large meetings: Control the flow of attendees entering.

Interviews or appointments: Have candidates wait until you're ready.

Preventing unwanted access: Keep out uninvited participants.

Best Practices

Check waiting room regularly: Don't leave participants waiting too long.

Set a custom message: Tell waiting participants what to expect.

Use for sensitive meetings: Enable for confidential discussions.

Combine with room locking: Lock the room after everyone joins for extra security.

Meeting Roles & Permissions — Who can manage the waiting room
Basic Controls — Your meeting controls