Do you always conduct Zoom calls? Have you found yourself and other participants distracted by others’ videos? Do you think your Zoom participants spend more time watching other people’s videos than your presentation? We have some good news for you. Zoom has introduced a new feature called Focus mode that helps stop participants from getting distracted during Zoom calls.
But what is Zoom focus mode, and how can you enable it in future calls? Let’s find out!
What Is Zoom Focus Mode?
Focus mode is a Zoom feature that keeps you, and your participants, focused on your presentation by only showing the host’s video. If you are a participant and your video is turned on, you can also see your camera’s feedback apart from the hosts. This feature is available on all types of accounts, so don’t worry if you’re only using a free subscription to Zoom.
Zoom developed the focus mode with a digital learning environment in mind. However, this doesn’t mean that this innovative feature is only limited to use by teachers or those who hold online classes. In fact, professionals, steamers, webinar hosts can also use this excellent feature if they want to keep themselves and their audience away from distractions.
You can even use it for regular team meetings, especially if you’re giving an important presentation or just want a formal and focused discussion with your teammates. Once you enable the focus mode in Zoom, only the hosts and co-hosts can view all the videos of the participants, restricting the audience from viewing other people’s cameras. This can promote concentration in your presentation.
In addition, the screen sharing feature is also disabled for everyone but the host and co-host. Lastly, enabling focus mode puts all the participants on mute. So only non-verbal feedback such as hand raises and other reactions are available. This minimizes participants from speaking over the host or each other.
Requirements to Use Focus Mode
As mentioned, all types of Zoom accounts can access this feature. So, even if you have a free or basic account, you can hold distraction-free meetings and classes. It is also available on the desktop, iOS, and Android apps. You can also use this feature on Zoom rooms.
But before you start enabling it, you need to make sure you’re running the Zoom desktop client version 5.7.3 or higher for Windows and Mac or Zoom version 5.7.6 or higher for Android and iOS.
If you have an older version, focus mode won’t be available during meetings, even if you have enabled it for your account. As a participant with an older Zoom version, you will still be affected by focus mode if the host has it enabled. However, you won’t see any notifications regarding focus mode.
Lastly, only the host is required to be on the required client version to initiate focus mode. This means that even if participants are still running the older version, they can still experience the feature.
If you’ve never used this feature before, you need to enable it on your account before starting to apply it to your meetings. Here’s how you can turn focus mode on in your Zoom account:
Go to your account profile by pressing My Account on the menu found on the top right side of the screen if you haven’t been redirected to your account profile yet.
Next, press Settings from the left side navigation and click the Meeting tab.
Under the Meeting tab, look for the In Meeting (Advanced) section and turn the toggle on for Focus Mode. If you want to enable focus mode when scheduling meetings, check the box beside Allow host to enable focus mode when scheduling and click Save. This allows you to schedule meetings with focus mode that will start automatically when the sessions begin so that you can provide fewer distractions to all of your participants.
Focus mode is available on different platforms such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Here’s how you can use this feature on your Zoom app.
Important reminder: Only the host or co-host of the meeting can use focus mode. If you’re a participant, this feature isn’t available to you.
For Windows and macOS
Start the Zoom meeting.
At the meeting, click the More button on the meeting toolbar.
Next, select Start Focus Mode from the menu.
On the pop-up window, click Start to confirm. If you don’t want the confirmation message to pop up again, check the box beside Don’task me again.
Once the focus mode starts, you and the participants will get a notification and a banner on the top of the video window. At the same time, the focus mode icon will always be visible in the top-left corner of the video window, right beside the encryption icon.
For Android and iOS
Open the Zoom app on your phone and start the meeting.
Tap the More icon found on the bottom right of your screen. Then, select Focus Mode. Next, press Start from the popup windows to begin focus mode. 3 Images
Participants will also be notified that the meeting is in focus modes, like the Windows and macOS versions. The focus mode icon will also be visible in the top left corner of the video window, even if you’re using your Android and iOS device.
After using focus mode, tap the More option from the meeting toolbar.
Next, select Stop Focus Mode. Your meeting is back to normal.
How to Use Spotlight Mode During Zoom Meetings
When you use focus mode on your Zoom meetings, you’ll also have the option to use spotlight mode. Basically, this feature allows you to show one of your participants' screens and their video to the group. This can come in handy when you need to ask one of your participants to discuss or share something with the group. Here’s how you can use this mode:
While you’re at the meeting, click the small arrow icon beside the Share Screen button found on the meeting toolbar.
If you want multiple participants to share their screens simultaneously, click Multiple participants can share simultaneously. Otherwise, choose One participant can share at a time.
Next, click Advanced Sharing Options.
From this setting, you can choose who can share their screens and if participants can share screens while someone else shares. Choose how you want your spotlight mode to be and close the window once you’re done.
No More Distractions
Zoom classes and meetings are convenient, especially since you don’t have to leave your house to attend one. However, like physical ones, they have distractions that could keep you from understanding the topic. With the focus mode, you can hold classes and meetings with fewer distractions, promoting more effective learning.
