Zoom's screenshot notification feature and what it actually does
Zoom notifies you when someone takes a screenshot during a meeting, but only under specific conditions. The notification appears as a message in the meeting chat saying "[Participant name] is taking a screenshot" — it does not identify which part of the screen was captured or prevent the screenshot from happening. This feature works during one-on-one meetings on most platforms, but the rules change for group calls and depend on your Zoom plan.
The notification is meant to give you a heads-up that someone is capturing what they see on screen. It is not a security measure that stops screenshots or records who took them for later review. If you are sharing sensitive information, the notification gives you a moment to pause, but it does not prevent the other person from saving an image of your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Zoom sends a chat notification during one-on-one meetings when the other person takes a screenshot, but this only works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android — not on web browsers.
- Group meetings do not trigger screenshot notifications, even if you have the feature turned on, because Zoom cannot reliably track who took the screenshot in a larger call.
- The notification does not prevent screenshots or identify what was captured — it only tells you that someone tried to take one.
- Screen sharing has its own rules: if you are sharing your screen, the host can turn off the ability to screenshot the shared content, but this requires changing settings before the meeting starts.
- Screenshots taken outside the Zoom app (like using your phone's built-in screenshot tool while on a Zoom call) will not trigger a notification.
How screenshot notifications work in one-on-one meetings
When you are in a one-on-one Zoom meeting with another person, Zoom monitors whether that person's device takes a screenshot. If they do, Zoom sends you a message in the chat that says "[Name] is taking a screenshot." The notification appears in real time, usually within a second or two of the screenshot being taken.
This feature is turned on by default for one-on-one meetings on the Zoom desktop app and mobile app. If you want to turn it off, you can do so in your Zoom settings under "In Meeting (Advanced)" and toggle off "Show a notification when someone takes a screenshot." However, turning off the notification on your end does not prevent the other person from taking screenshots — it only stops you from being notified.
The notification works because Zoom's app has direct access to your device's operating system and can detect when the screenshot function is triggered. This is why the feature does not work on web browsers — the browser does not give Zoom the same level of access to your device.
Why group meetings do not have screenshot notifications
Zoom does not send screenshot notifications during group meetings, even if you have the feature turned on in your settings. With three or more people on a call, Zoom cannot reliably determine who took the screenshot, so the company chose not to send notifications at all rather than send inaccurate ones.
This means if you are in a meeting with five people and someone takes a screenshot, you will not be notified. If you need to protect sensitive information in a group setting, screenshot notifications are not a tool you can rely on. Instead, you would need to use other methods, such as limiting who can see your screen or avoiding sharing sensitive details during the call.
Turning off screenshot ability when you share your screen
If you are the host and you are sharing your screen, you have a separate option to prevent participants from taking screenshots of your shared content. This is different from the notification feature — it actually blocks the screenshot function while your screen is being shared.
To turn this on, open your Zoom settings and go to "Share Screen." Look for the option "Allow participants to take screenshots of shared content" and toggle it off. This setting takes effect the next time you start a meeting and share your screen. When it is turned off, participants will not be able to screenshot your shared screen, though they can still take screenshots of other parts of their own screen.
Keep in mind that this setting only applies to shared screen content. If you are on a video call without sharing your screen, this setting does not prevent the other person from taking a screenshot of your face or anything else visible on their screen.
Methods that bypass screenshot notifications
Several common actions will not trigger a Zoom screenshot notification, even though they capture what is on screen. If someone uses their phone's built-in screenshot button while on a Zoom call, Zoom will not be notified. The same is true for screen recording tools, screen capture software, or taking a photo of the screen with another device.
Additionally, if someone is using Zoom on a web browser instead of the app, screenshot notifications do not work at all. They can take a screenshot without any notification reaching you. This is an important limitation to understand if you are sharing sensitive information with someone who may be using Zoom through a browser.
For these reasons, screenshot notifications should not be treated as a security feature. They are a courtesy alert, not a barrier. If you are discussing truly confidential information, you should assume it can be captured regardless of whether you receive a notification.
What to do if you receive a screenshot notification
When you see the notification "[Name] is taking a screenshot," you have a few options depending on your situation. If the screenshot was unexpected or the person should not have access to that information, you can pause the meeting and ask what they were capturing. Sometimes people take screenshots for legitimate reasons — to save contact information, reference a document, or document something for their own records.
If you are concerned about what was captured, you can ask the person directly what they photographed and why. You can also review your Zoom meeting settings to see if there are restrictions you want to put in place for future calls. For example, you might decide to share your screen only with specific people, or to avoid discussing certain topics over video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zoom notify me if someone screenshots a recording of the meeting?
No. Screenshot notifications only work during live meetings. If someone takes a screenshot of a Zoom recording that was saved to your computer or the cloud, Zoom will not send you a notification. The recording is just a video file on a device, and Zoom has no way to monitor what happens to it after the meeting ends.
Can I see who took a screenshot if I have multiple notifications?
Yes. Each notification names the person who took the screenshot, so if you receive multiple notifications during a meeting, you will know which participant took each one. However, you cannot see what part of the screen they captured or access a log of screenshots after the meeting ends.
What if someone takes a screenshot on a different device while in the meeting?
Zoom will not be notified. If someone is on a Zoom call on their laptop but takes a screenshot using their phone, or uses a separate camera to photograph the screen, Zoom has no way to detect it. Screenshot notifications only work when the same device running Zoom takes the screenshot.
Does the host have more control over screenshots than regular participants?
The host can turn off the ability to screenshot shared screen content, but both the host and participants receive the same screenshot notifications during one-on-one or group meetings. The host cannot prevent participants from taking screenshots of the video call itself — only of shared screen content.
If I turn off screenshot notifications, can the other person tell?
No. Turning off the notification on your end is invisible to the other person. They will not know whether you have notifications turned on or off. The setting only affects what you see on your screen.