How to Pin Someone on Zoom (2026)
Pinning on Zoom locks one person’s video as your main view so they don’t disappear when someone else talks. It only changes what you see — it doesn’t affect anyone else (that’s what Spotlight is for). Here’s how to pin, pin several people, and the difference between Pin and Spotlight.
Pin Someone on Desktop
- In the meeting, find the person’s video tile (Gallery or Speaker view).
- Hover over it and click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
- Click Pin.
Their video stays front and center for you until you remove it. A Remove Pin label appears at the top-left of the screen.
To unpin: click Remove Pin (top-left), or open the … menu and choose Unpin.
Pin Multiple People
You can pin several participants at once to keep them all on screen:
- Pin the first person (steps above).
- Hover the next person’s tile > … > Pin (you’ll now see Add Pin as the option).
- Repeat for up to 9 participants, depending on your screen size.
Great for watching a panel, an interpreter, and a speaker together.
Pin Someone on Mobile
- Double-tap the person’s video tile, or
- Tap and hold their tile and choose Pin from the menu.
- To undo, double-tap again or tap Unpin.
Mobile supports a single pin at a time.
Pin vs. Spotlight — What’s the Difference?
| Pin | Spotlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it affects | Only your own screen | Everyone in the meeting |
| Who can do it | Any participant | Host / co-host only |
| Best for | Focusing your own view | Putting a speaker front-and-center for all |
| Limit | Up to 9 (yours) | Up to 9 (for everyone) |
To Spotlight (host/co-host): hover the tile > … > Spotlight for Everyone. Use it for the active presenter so all attendees see them; use Pin when you just want to control your own layout.
Troubleshooting
”Pin” is missing from the menu
You may have only one or two participants on screen — pinning is most useful in groups. Also confirm the host hasn’t restricted it; in some webinars participant controls are limited.
Pin keeps jumping back to the active speaker
You’re in Speaker view without a pin actually set. Re-pin the person; a real pin overrides automatic speaker switching.
I want everyone to see one person, not just me
That’s Spotlight, not Pin — and only the host or co-host can do it. Ask the host to Spotlight the speaker.
My pin disappeared when sharing started
Screen sharing changes the layout. Re-pin after the share begins, or drag the divider to resize the shared content vs. video.
Recording shows the wrong person
Local recordings follow the active speaker or spotlight, not your personal pin. Use Spotlight before recording if you need a specific person captured. See how to record a Zoom meeting.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Keep one person on your screen | Tile … > Pin |
| Watch several at once | Pin each (up to 9) |
| Pin on mobile | Double-tap the tile |
| Show a speaker to everyone | Host: … > Spotlight |
| Undo | Remove Pin (top-left) |
Related Zoom guides: How to use breakout rooms in Zoom · How to record a Zoom meeting · How to share your screen on Zoom · How to change your name on Zoom · How to raise your hand in Zoom
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