When you can’t attend or might be late to a recurring Zoom meeting, the safest way to ensure class or group can begin on time is to let a trusted colleague start the meeting for you.

Key point: In Zoom, a co‑host can help manage a running meeting but cannot start it. For starting the meeting without you, use Alternative host (recommended), or Host key + Join before host (backup), or Scheduling privilege (for ongoing delegation).

Option A — Recommended: Add an Alternative host

What it does: A designated Licensed user on the same Zoom account can start the meeting on your behalf. They’ll receive an email with a special start link.

Steps (web portal, works for already‑scheduled or recurring meetings):

  1. Sign in at zoom.us → Meetings → Upcoming.
  2. Click the meeting title. For a recurring series, choose Edit → Edit All Occurrences (or This Occurrence if you prefer one week only).
  3. In the meeting edit view, find Alternative hosts and enter the colleague’s Zoom account email (multiple addresses separated by commas).
  4. Save. Your colleague will get an email confirming they can start the meeting.
  5. (Optional) Repeat to add a second backup.

Notes

  • Alternative hosts must be Licensed and typically on the same institutional account. If they’re external and you cannot add them, use Option B or Option C instead.
  • The alternative host who starts the meeting becomes the Host until you join; you can reclaim host on entry.

Option B — Backup: Host key + Join before host

What it does: You allow participants to enter before you and give a trusted colleague your 6‑digit Host Key so they can claim host from the Participants panel.

Steps:

  1. Enable “Join before host” for the meeting (and turn off Waiting Room for that meeting).
    • Edit the meeting → enable Allow participants to join before host (choose time window) and disable Waiting Room for that meeting.
  2. Find your Host Key: zoom.us → Profile → scroll to Host Key → Show (you can Edit to change it).
  3. Share that 6‑digit code privately with the colleague.
  4. They join the meeting early → Participants → Claim Host → enter the Host Key → they become Host and can run the session.

Cautions

  • Keep the Host Key confidential; rotate it later if needed.
  • “Join before host” and “Waiting Room” conflict; Waiting Room must be off for host‑less start.

Option C — Ongoing delegation: Scheduling privilege

What it does: Grant a colleague permanent permission to schedule and start meetings on your behalf (they can also act as Alternative host for those meetings). Good for long‑running weekly courses.

Steps:

  1. Sign in at zoom.us → Settings (or Profile) → scroll to Schedule Privilege.
  2. Assign your colleague (must be Licensed on the same account).
  3. They can schedule your meetings, start them, access cloud recordings, and manage reports for those delegated meetings.

Quick checklist (for a weekly class)

  • Add at least one Alternative host (same account, Licensed).
  • If external support is required, enable Join before host, disable Waiting Room for that meeting, and share your Host Key with the designated person.
  • For long‑term coverage, set up Scheduling privilege.
  • Remind the starter to use the email address associated with their Zoom license when joining.

Why “co‑host” isn’t enough

A co‑host helps manage during a meeting (mute all, manage participants, share screen, etc.) but cannot start a scheduled meeting. Use Alternative host to allow starting without you; once you join, you can remain host or take host back.

Troubleshooting

  • Alternative host can’t be added → They might not be Licensed or on a different account. Use Host Key or Scheduling privilege, or ask IT to add them to your account.
  • Participants can’t enter before host → Check that Join before host is enabled and Waiting Room is off for that meeting (these settings conflict).
  • Colleague can’t claim host → Confirm they clicked Participants → Claim Host and entered the correct 6‑digit Host Key from your profile.
  • Recurring meeting → When editing, choose Edit All Occurrences to apply changes to every week.

Prepared for Seoul National University colleagues as a quick reference.