If you are using video meetings for school or work, there is a high likelihood that you are now using Zoom. Both Windows and macOS have efficient Zoom apps that come equipped with all of the software’s available features. However, for those using Chromebooks, the Zoom app will have to be accessed through a Progressive Web App (PWA). That’s because the once popular Zoom Chrome app that was available in the Chrome Web Store has been discontinued.
The new PWA for Zoom on ChromeOS comes with several upgrades and brings the features available on other operating systems in line with Zoom on ChromeOS. The app is faster than a standalone application and takes up almost no storage space on your device.
For those unfamiliar with PWAs, these are web applications that behave like traditional apps installed on Chromebooks. You get a separate window, not connected to the Chrome browser, similar to Android apps. But at their core, they are built using web technologies, like any other web app that you would run in Chrome. This means that the new interface should result in a significantly improved Zoom experience for those using Chromebooks.
In this guide, we will show you how to use the Zoom app on Chromebooks. So, let’s get started!
How to Install the Zoom App on ChromeOS
The Zoom app for Chromebooks is available as a PWA installer on the Google Play Store. You will need to be running ChromeOS version 91 or newer and your Chromebook must support the Play Store to install it. Here’s how you can get started:
- Open Google Chrome on your Chromebook and click on this link to be redirected to the Google Play Store.
- Next, click on the green Install button.
- Then, click on the green Open button to launch the Zoom app
- If you closed the Google Play Store after installing the Zoom PWA, you can find it under your ChromeOS launcher.
That’s all it takes to install the app. If you plan on using Zoom frequently, you can consider pinning it to your dock for quick access.
Features Available in Zoom on ChromeOS
With the new Zoom PWA on ChromeOS, most of the features from the Windows and macOS versions of the app have been added. Features such as Zoom Whiteboard, advanced polling, customizable gallery view (on supported machines), self-select breakout rooms, live transcription and translation (with assigned interpreters), and background masking for privacy and raised hand and meeting reactions are all included.
For those in the education field, the Breakout Rooms feature is a major advantage for dividing students into groups. Other important features for teachers include recording sessions, screen sharing and audio with screen shares, and meeting security like locking meetings. For students, nonverbal feedback options like Thumbs up, the ability to share screens and raise hands to ask questions are also available.
Wrapping It Up
We hope this guide has provided an overview of how to use the Zoom app on Chromebooks. The new Chrome PWA developed in partnership with Google has a sleek UI and runs smoothly. Hence, making the Zoom experience on Chromebooks an excellent one.
