General Functions (iOS/Android)
NOTE: This article also applies to the Android version of Zoom on a Chromebook laptop.
Once you have created an account and downloaded the App Store/Google Play version of Zoom, you may now log in upon opening the app. You will be redirected to Zoom's Meet & Chat screen once you log in, which looks like the screen below.
The most important buttons for new users are New Meeting and Join. When tapping the New Meeting button, you will be given options to start a meeting with video by default, and also use your 10-digit Personal Meeting ID (PMI) instead of a randomly assigned 9 to 11-digit Meeting ID. Your PMI is akin to having a phone number on Zoom, and is useful for one-on-one video calls where you consistently contact the same person.
The Chat function is built into this home screen as well, and offers direct messaging to other Zoom accounts that you've either recently contacted through a meeting, or have on your personal Zoom contacts list. You can also send files directly to other Zoom accounts through this feature.
The Meetings icon along the bottom of your screen provides access to meeting scheduling features. This is useful for those that would like to organize their lesson times in Zoom's built in calendar (or Google or iOS Calendar where applicable). This is not necessary to host or join meetings.
The Contacts icon can allow you to search or add/invite contacts by email. This can be very useful for teachers in a classroom setting where having a contact list can accelerate invitations to large group conferences, as well as individual video calls.
The Settings icon allows access to your Zoom profile and app related settings such as meeting preferences and advanced audio/video features.