As a user of Zoom breakout rooms, I empathize with the frustration caused by the default time limit being insufficient. Whether you’re leading a team meeting, a virtual classroom session, or a social event with friends, it’s crucial to have adequate time for valuable discussions and interactions.
Fortunately, there are a couple of workarounds to add more time to breakout rooms in Zoom. Let’s explore these options and find the one that works best for you.
Option 1: Use the Manual Timer
The simplest way to add more time to breakout rooms is by using the manual timer feature in Zoom. When the time limit is about to expire, a pop-up message will appear on your screen, giving you the option to extend the time for another 60 seconds or end the breakout rooms altogether.
To use the manual timer:
- During your meeting or session, click on the “Breakout Rooms” button at the bottom of the Zoom window.
- A sidebar will appear on the right side of your screen. Click on the “Options” button at the bottom of the sidebar.
- In the “Options” window, enable the “Allow participants to return to the main session at any time” option. This will give participants the ability to manually rejoin the main session without waiting for the timer to expire.
- Start the breakout rooms.
- When the manual timer pops up, click on the “Extend” button to add another 60 seconds to the breakout rooms.
Using the manual timer allows you to have more control over the time in breakout rooms. However, it does require you to actively monitor the timer and manually extend the time when needed.
Option 2: Modify the Default Time Limit
If you find yourself frequently needing more time in breakout rooms, you can modify the default time limit for all breakout rooms in your Zoom settings. This way, you won’t have to manually extend the time for each breakout room session.
To modify the default time limit:
- Open the Zoom desktop application and sign in to your account.
- Click on your profile picture or initials at the top-right corner of the window.
- In the drop-down menu, select “Settings”.
- In the settings window, navigate to the “In Meeting (Basic)” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Breakout Room” section.
- Enter your desired default time limit in the “Breakout room duration” field. You can set a value between 1 and 360 minutes.
- Click on the “Save” button to apply the changes.
By modifying the default time limit, you ensure that every breakout room session in your future meetings or sessions will automatically have the extended duration.
Conclusion
Adding more time to breakout rooms in Zoom doesn’t have to be a challenge. By using the manual timer or modifying the default time limit, you can provide participants with the necessary time for productive discussions and interactions.
Remember to consider the nature of your meetings or sessions and the needs of your participants when deciding which option to use. Both methods have their advantages, so choose the one that suits your specific requirements.
Now that you know how to add more time to breakout rooms in Zoom, go ahead and make your virtual gatherings even more engaging and worthwhile!