How to Enable and Disable End-to-End Encryption in Zoom 

Zoom faced a lot of criticism over the security concerns earlier this year. Over time, they have dramatically improved their concerns about privacy and security. End-to-end encryption for meetings is a security feature that many privacy-conscious users have long requested. As promised by Zoom, the feature is now available. Wondering how to enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom? Find your answer here.

Even though Zoom provided encryption for calls earlier, the outcry was about decryption of content on Zoom servers using these generated keys. Now, with End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), encryption keys are generated by participant machines and distributed using public cryptographic mechanisms. Zoom’s servers therefore have little or no details on these keys. Thus, this new encryption feature offers more security.

Let’s see how to enable and disable end-to-end encryption on Zoom. The post also covers what happens with enabling end-to-end encryption and if you need to enable it.

Supported platforms and accounts for end-to-end encryption

The end-to-end encryption feature is available to all Zoom users, whether they have a free or paid account. However, free / basic account users will need to verify their mobile number when enabling end-to-end encryption.

As of now, Zoom end-to-end encryption is available on Zoom desktop clients (Windows and Mac), mobile apps (Android and iOS) and Zoom rooms.

Note: Please update your Zoom apps before using this feature. To update mobile apps, open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for Zoom. Tap Update. On the desktop client, click the profile picture icon and select Check for Update from the menu.

The Zoom web client and third-party services that use Zoom SDK do not support E2EE by default. Likewise, if a meeting is end-to-end encrypted, users of phones, SIP / H.323 devices, on-premises configurations, or Lync / Skype clients will not be able to participate.

Steps to enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom

To activate E2EE, you need to change an account setting which is possible by logging in from the web version of Zoom only. You can change it at the user, group or account level.

How to enable end-to-end encryption at the user level

Here are the steps in detail:

Step 1: Go to the zoom login page. Log in with your Zoom account details. You will be redirected to the Zoom account page.

2nd step: Click Settings in the left panel.

Step 3: On the Meeting tab, click Security.

Step 4: Scroll down and turn on the toggle next to Allow use of end-to-end encryption.

Step 5: You will be asked to verify your number. So yes, you have to do what is necessary.

Step 6: After verification, you will need to choose the default encryption type on the same page. Check the box next to End-to-end encryption. Click the Save button.

How to enable end-to-end encryption for groups

Step 1: Open the zoom login page. Log in using administrator account details.

2nd step: In the left panel, click User Management> Group Management.

Step 3: Click on the group for which you want to enable end-to-end encryption. Click on Settings.

Step 4: On the Meeting tab, click Security. Enable the toggle next to Allow use of end-to-end encryption. Choose end-to-end encryption. Click on Save.

How to enable end-to-end encryption at the account level

Step 1: Log in using administrator details on the Zoom login page.

2nd step: Click Account Management in the left panel. Then click on Account Settings.

Step 3: Click on the Meeting tab. Under Security, find Allow use of end-to-end encryption setting. Activate the toggle next to it. Select End-to-End Encryption from the list of options. Click on Save.

Note: Zoom may change the stages in the future. So check the steps on Zoom’s support page for end-to-end encryption.

How to turn off end-to-end encryption on the zoom

To turn off end-to-end encryption, select Enhanced Encryption instead of End-to-End Encryption in the steps above. If you want to turn off encryption completely, turn off the switch next to Allow use of end-to-end encryption.

How to verify that the Zoom meeting is end-to-end encrypted

When a Zoom meeting is end-to-end encrypted, all attendees will see a green shield icon with a padlock in the middle in the upper left corner of the desktop client. Normal meetings also have a green shield icon but with a check mark inside.

Participants can also verify the meeting security code with the host. The best practice may be for the host to read the code aloud so that everyone can verify it. To view the code, click the green padlock icon in the upper left corner of the Zoom desktop app. Then click on Check.

What is the impact of end-to-end encryption on Zoom meetings

Zoom deploys end-to-end encryption in four phases. Unfortunately, enabling end-to-end encryption in the current phase, i.e. phase 1, will disable some features of Zoom. Those are:

• Possibility to join a meeting before the host
• Cloud recording
• Diffusion
• Live transcription
• Sub-committee rooms
• Vote
• 1: 1 private chat
• Reactions to the meeting

Hopefully these features will be restored in future phases of end-to-end encryption.

How many users can join Zoom end-to-end encrypted meetings

A maximum of 200 participants can join an end-to-end encrypted Zoom meeting. This will have no impact on users with Basic or Pro plans, which only allow 100 participants anyway. But this could be a problem for Business or Enterprise subscribers who allow 300 to 500 participants.

Point: Discover 9 tips for videoconferencing on Zoom.

When should you enable end-to-end encryption on the zoom

As you saw above, enabling E2EE disables some important features. If it’s okay with you, you can enable end-to-end encryption in all your meetings where you want enhanced security. But while these features are important, you should avoid enabling end-to-end encryption until it is fully deployed.