The fastest way depends on which platform you're using
Most video platforms let you add people during a call, but the steps change depending on whether you're on Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or another service. The person inviting them in usually needs to be the host or have permission to manage the call. On some platforms, you can send a link that lets anyone join; on others, you have to add them one at a time by name or email.
Before you add someone, know whether your call is set to allow new people to join at all. Some meetings are locked after they start, which means you'll have to unlock them first — or you won't be able to add anyone. Check your platform's settings before the call begins if you think you might need to bring someone in mid-meeting.
Key Takeaways
- On Zoom, click "Participants," find "Invite," and either send a link or add people by email address.
- Google Meet shows an "Add people" button at the bottom of the screen; you can paste a link in the chat or type someone's email.
- Microsoft Teams lets you add people through the "People" icon or by copying the meeting link and sending it directly.
- Some calls are locked after they start, so check your settings before the meeting begins if you might need to add people later.
- If someone can't join, the most common reason is that they don't have the right link, the meeting is locked, or their account isn't recognized by the platform.
Adding people on Zoom
Click the "Participants" button at the bottom of your screen. A panel will open on the right side showing everyone already in the call. At the bottom of that panel, you'll see an "Invite" button. Click it.
You now have two choices. You can copy the meeting link and send it to the person through email, text, or chat — they click the link and join on their own. Or you can type in their email address, and Zoom will send them an invitation. The email route is faster if the person is already watching for a message from you. The link route works if you want to paste it into a group chat or send it to multiple people at once.
If your meeting is locked, you won't see the "Invite" option. Look for a "Lock Meeting" button in the Participants panel and click it to unlock before you try to add anyone.
Adding people on Google Meet
Look at the bottom of your screen. You'll see several icons including a microphone, camera, and a button that looks like a person with a plus sign — that's "Add people." Click it.
A box will pop up with two options: you can type someone's email address directly, or you can copy the meeting link and send it however you want. If you type an email, Google Meet will send them an invitation. If you copy the link, you paste it into email, text, or chat, and they join by clicking it. The link method is simpler if you're adding more than one person or if you're not sure of their exact email address.
Google Meet doesn't lock calls the way Zoom does, so you can add people at any point. However, if your organization has restricted who can join, you may see a message saying the person can't be added — this usually means they're not part of your company's Google Workspace account.
Adding people on Microsoft Teams
Look for the "People" icon at the top right of your meeting window — it looks like a person's head and shoulders. Click it to open the participant list. You'll see an "Add people" option near the top. Click that.
Type the person's name or email address. If they're in your organization's directory, Teams will suggest their name as you type. Click their name to add them. If they're outside your organization, you can still add them by typing their full email address, but your organization's settings may prevent this — if so, you'll see an error message.
You can also copy the meeting link from the top of the window and send it to someone directly. They'll be able to join without you adding them manually, though Teams may ask them to wait for the host to admit them depending on your settings.
When someone can't join after you've added them
The most common reason is that they don't have the right link or email invitation. Check that you sent them the correct meeting link — a typo or an old link from a previous meeting will prevent them from joining. Ask them to copy and paste the link directly from your message rather than typing it by hand.
The second most common reason is that the meeting is locked or restricted. On Zoom, unlock the meeting through the Participants panel. On Google Meet and Teams, check whether your organization restricts who can join — if the person is outside your company or school, they may need special permission. Some organizations require the host to manually admit each person who tries to join.
If the person has the right link but still can't join, ask them to try a different browser or to close and reopen the app. Sometimes a cached version of the page causes problems. If they're on a phone or tablet, restarting the device often fixes connection issues.
Sending the link instead of adding people manually
For most situations, sending the meeting link is faster and simpler than adding people one by one. Copy the link from your platform — on Zoom it's in the "Invite" panel, on Google Meet it's at the top of the window, on Teams it's in the meeting details. Paste it into an email, text message, or group chat. Anyone who clicks the link can join when ready (or wait for the host to admit them, depending on your settings).
This method works especially well if you're adding multiple people, if you're not sure of their exact email addresses, or if some of them use different platforms or devices. It also gives people the option to join on their own schedule rather than waiting for you to manually add them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to a call if I'm not the host?
It depends on the platform and the host's settings. On Zoom, only the host can add people. On Google Meet and Teams, the host can give other participants permission to add people, but this isn't the default. If you're not the host and you need to add someone, ask the host to do it or to give you that permission first.
What if someone joins the call but I didn't add them?
They probably have the meeting link from someone else, or your organization's settings allow anyone with the link to join automatically. If you don't recognize them and don't want them there, you can remove them through the Participants panel. On Zoom, right-click their name and select "Remove." On Google Meet and Teams, click the three dots next to their name and select "Remove."
Do I need to send a new invitation every time someone joins late?
No. The same link works for the entire meeting. Once you've sent the link, anyone can use it to join at any time — you don't need to send a new one. Just make sure you're sending the link for the current meeting, not an old one from a previous call.
Can I add someone if the meeting is password-protected?
Yes, but they'll need the password when they join. When you send them the link, include the password in a separate message or tell them verbally. Some platforms include the password in the link itself, so check whether you need to share it separately.
What's the difference between adding someone and sending them the link?
Adding someone sends them a direct invitation through the platform, usually to their email. Sending the link lets them join on their own by clicking it. The link method is faster for multiple people; the invitation method is more formal and creates a record that they were invited.