Need the host to see your question without interrupting the meeting? In Zoom, the raise-hand control lives in Reactions, though some layouts place it under More. Here are the current ways to raise and lower your hand in Zoom meetings and webinars.
Raise Your Hand on a Computer
This fixes the standard raise-hand path on the Zoom Workplace desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Move your pointer over the Zoom meeting or webinar window so the meeting controls appear.
Click Reactions in the toolbar.
Click Raise Hand.
Click Lower Hand when you are done.
Use Zoom on iPhone or Android
The mobile app uses the same reactions area, with taps instead of clicks.
- 1.Open the meeting or webinar in the Zoom Workplace app.
- 2.Tap the screen so the meeting controls appear.
- 3.Tap Reactions.
- 4.Tap Raise Hand.
- 5.Tap Reactions again, then tap Lower Hand when you want to undo it.
Raise Your Hand in the Zoom Web App
Join the meeting or webinar through the Zoom web client in a supported browser.
Click the meeting controls at the bottom of the Zoom window.
Click Reactions.
Click Raise Hand.
Click Lower Hand after the host calls on you or you no longer need to speak.
Tip: keep the Zoom window active so the meeting toolbar stays easy to reach.
Find Raise Hand Under More
In Zoom Workplace app version 6.7.0 and later, toolbar layout can move controls into More. That means Raise Hand or Reactions may not be pinned directly on the main toolbar.
Open More in the meeting or webinar toolbar, then choose Raise hand. If the reactions control is inside that menu, open Reactions and choose Raise Hand.
The exact placement depends on toolbar layout and pinned controls on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iOS Intune, Android, and Android Intune.
Use the Keyboard Shortcut
This method applies when you are using the Zoom Workplace desktop app and want the fastest way to raise or lower your hand without opening a menu.
On Windows, press Alt + Y to raise or lower your hand.
On macOS, press Option + Y to raise or lower your hand.
On Linux, press Alt + Y to raise or lower your hand.
To view or edit the shortcut on Windows or macOS, open your profile picture, then Settings, then Keyboard shortcuts. On Linux, Zoom lists the shortcut in the same profile picture, Settings, Keyboard shortcuts area.
Turn On Hand Gestures
Zoom can raise your hand automatically from a real hand gesture on supported versions and devices. On Windows and macOS, hand raise gesture recognition is supported in Zoom Workplace desktop app version 5.10.3 or later, and reactions must be enabled by the host or account.
Before a meeting on Windows or macOS, sign in to the Zoom Workplace desktop app, open Home, click the Settings button, then go to Meetings & webinars.
Under Reactions, turn on Use hand gestures to activate reactions.
During a meeting, click the up arrow next to React, then click Use gestures to send reactions easily.
Keep your video on, raise your hand with your palm facing the camera, and hold it for a couple of moments.
On supported iPads, turn it on before a meeting from More, then Meetings, then Automatic Reactions, then Raise hand. During a meeting, use More, then Meeting Settings, then Automatic Reactions, then Raise hand, then Done.
If the gesture does not work, use Reactions and Raise Hand instead.
Restore a Missing Raise Hand Button
The most common reason Raise Hand is missing is that reactions or raise-hand availability has been disabled for the meeting, webinar, account, or managed device.
For a personal meeting setting, sign in to the Zoom web portal and go to Settings, then Meeting, then In Meeting (Basic), then turn on Meeting reactions. Choose All emojis or Selected emojis, then click Save.
For webinars, go to Settings, then Webinar, then In Webinar, then turn on Reactions. Choose the reaction options and click Save.
On a managed work or school Zoom account, these settings may be controlled at the account, group, or desktop policy level. Ask the host or your Zoom admin to enable reactions for the meeting or webinar.
Raise Your Hand by Phone or Room Device
When you join by telephone dial-in, you can still raise your hand without the Zoom app.
Dial *9 while connected by phone to raise or lower your hand.
On a SIP/H.323 room system connected through Zoom room-system interop, press 1 with DTMF tones to open the in-meeting menu.
Press 3 to raise or lower your hand.
In Zoom Rooms, tap Participants in the meeting controls.
Tap your name in the participants list, then tap Raise Hand.
On Zoom Rooms for Touch or a Zoom for Home device, tap the ellipses icon ... at the bottom-right corner to show the on-screen controller first.
Tip: on Zoom Rooms for Touch, you can also tap More ..., then tap Raise Hand in the bottom-right section.
Ignore Older Raise Hand Advice
The most common cause of confusing raise-hand instructions is an old tutorial that points regular desktop, mobile, or web users to the Participants panel.
Use Reactions or More in the current Zoom desktop, mobile, and web clients.
Use the Participants list only for Zoom Rooms, where that method is still current.
Do not use Apple Video Effects or Apple Reactions as a Zoom raise-hand method. Those effects can show visual reactions in Zoom video on supported Apple devices, but they are not controlled by Zoom.
For Zoom’s raise-hand signal, use Reactions, Raise Hand, or Zoom gesture recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the host see my raised hand in a webinar?
Yes. Zoom’s raise-hand control works in meetings and webinars when reactions or raise-hand availability has not been disabled.
How do I lower my hand in Zoom?
Use the same control area. On desktop or web, click Lower Hand. On mobile, tap Reactions again, then tap Lower Hand.
Why do I not see Raise Hand in Zoom?
Open More first. If it still is not there, reactions may be disabled for the meeting, webinar, account, group, or managed device.
Can I raise my hand in Zoom without clicking anything?
Yes. Press Alt + Y on Windows or Linux, or Option + Y on macOS. Supported devices can also use Zoom hand gesture recognition when it is enabled.