We've all been there: you hop onto a Zoom call, and suddenly, an unexpected guest pops up – Otter.ai! While Otter.ai can be incredibly useful for transcribing meetings, there are times when you absolutely don't want it recording your conversations. Perhaps you're discussing sensitive information, or maybe you just prefer to take your own notes. Whatever the reason, removing Otter.ai from your Zoom meetings can feel a bit like a digital scavenger hunt. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to ensure Otter.ai respects your Zoom privacy.
Engaging You Right Away: Have you ever been in a Zoom meeting where Otter.ai joined unexpectedly, and you wished you could just make it disappear? You're not alone! Let's get that digital "Otter" out of your Zoom calls for good.
The Comprehensive Guide: How to Remove Otter.ai from Zoom
Removing Otter.ai from Zoom isn't a single-click solution. It often involves a combination of steps within both your Otter.ai account and your Zoom settings. We'll cover all the bases to ensure a complete disconnection.
Step 1: Disconnecting Otter.ai from Your Calendar (The Prevention Method)
Often, Otter.ai automatically joins meetings because it's synced with your calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, etc.). This is usually the primary culprit for uninvited appearances. Disconnecting it here will prevent future auto-joins.
Sub-heading: Accessing Otter.ai Account Settings
Log in to your Otter.ai account: Open your web browser and go to
Otter.ai Navigate to Account Settings: Once logged in, look for your profile icon or name in the top left or top right corner of the screen. Click on it to reveal a dropdown menu.
Select 'Account Settings': From the dropdown, click on "Account Settings". This will take you to your personal settings page.
Sub-heading: Disconnecting Your Calendar
Find the 'Apps' or 'Connected Apps' Section: Within Account Settings, look for a tab or section labeled "Apps", "Connected Apps", or "Integrations". This is where Otter.ai manages its connections to other services.
Locate Your Calendar Integration: Scroll down until you see a section dedicated to "Connect calendars & contacts" or similar. You'll likely see icons for Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, or whatever service you've connected.
Click 'Disconnect': Next to the calendar account you wish to unlink, click the "Disconnect" button. A confirmation prompt may appear. Confirm your decision.
What this does: By disconnecting your calendar, Otter.ai will no longer be able to see your upcoming meetings and thus, won't automatically join them.
Step 2: Disabling Otter.ai's Auto-Join Feature (The Direct Otter Control)
Even if your calendar is disconnected, it's a good practice to explicitly turn off Otter.ai's auto-join feature to ensure no rogue settings are still active.
Sub-heading: Accessing Meeting Settings in Otter.ai
Go to 'Meetings' Tab: Within your Otter.ai Account Settings, look for a tab labeled "Meetings". Click on it.
Locate 'Otter Notetaker' or 'OtterPilot' Section: Scroll down within the Meetings settings. You should find a section related to "Otter Notetaker" or "OtterPilot" and its behavior in meetings.
Sub-heading: Turning Off Auto-Join
Toggle Off 'Auto-join all meetings': You'll likely see an option like "Auto-join all meetings" or "Automatically add Otter Notetaker to your meetings". Ensure this toggle is switched to the OFF position.
Review Individual Meeting Settings (Optional but Recommended): Below the main auto-join toggle, you might see options to manage individual meeting settings. Briefly review your calendar events on the Otter.ai homepage to confirm that the Notetaker is toggled off for upcoming meetings. Sometimes, a previous manual override might keep it active for certain events, so it's good to double-check.
Step 3: Removing Otter.ai from the Zoom App Marketplace (The Zoom Side of Things)
For a complete removal, especially if you or your organization installed Otter.ai as a Zoom app, you need to uninstall it directly from the Zoom App Marketplace.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Zoom App Marketplace
Log in to your Zoom account: Go to the Zoom website and log in to your account.
Access the Zoom App Marketplace: In the Zoom web portal, navigate to the "Zoom App Marketplace". You can usually find a link to it in the footer or sidebar, or by searching directly within Zoom's interface. Alternatively, you can go directly to
marketplace.zoom.us
Sub-heading: Managing Installed Apps
Click 'Manage' or 'Manage Apps': In the App Marketplace, look for an option like "Manage", "Manage Apps", or "My Installed Apps" in the upper right corner or in your account dashboard.
Locate Otter.ai: You'll see a list of applications you've installed or authorized. Find "Otter.ai" in this list.
Uninstall or Remove: Click on "Otter.ai", then look for an option to "Uninstall", "Remove", or "Revoke Access". Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstallation.
Important Note for Admins: If you're a Zoom administrator for an organization, you might need to go to "Admin App Management" to disable or remove the app for all users on the account. This prevents internal users from using it on Zoom.
Step 4: Removing Otter.ai from a Live Zoom Meeting (The Emergency Stop)
Sometimes, despite all preventative measures, Otter.ai might still sneak into a live meeting. As the host, you have the power to remove it instantly.
Sub-heading: Identifying Otter.ai in the Participant List
Open the Participants Panel: During a live Zoom meeting, click on the "Participants" button at the bottom of the Zoom window. This will open the participant list.
Locate 'Otter.ai Notetaker': Look for a participant named "Otter.ai Notetaker" or something similar.
Sub-heading: Removing the Participant
Hover Over Otter.ai's Name: Once you've found Otter.ai in the participant list, hover your mouse over its name.
Click 'More' and 'Remove': A "More" button or ellipses (...) will appear. Click on it, and then select "Remove" from the options.
Confirm Removal: Zoom will ask for confirmation. Click "Remove" again.
Pro Tip: Enabling a Waiting Room for your meetings can also help vet attendees before they join, preventing unexpected AI bots from entering.
Step 5: Revoking Permissions (The Deeper Cleanse)
While uninstalling from the Zoom Marketplace generally revokes permissions, it's good to understand where to check for lingering authorizations directly in your Otter.ai account.
Sub-heading: Checking Connected Apps in Otter.ai
Return to Otter.ai Account Settings > Apps: Go back to your Otter.ai account, navigate to "Account Settings", and then the "Apps" or "Connected Apps" section.
Verify Disconnections: Double-check that Zoom or any related integrations are no longer listed as connected, or that their permissions have been revoked. If you see any active connections you don't recognize, disconnect them.
Step 6: Considering Account Deletion (The Nuclear Option)
If you no longer use Otter.ai at all and want to ensure no data is retained or potential connections exist, you can consider deleting your Otter.ai account. This is a permanent action.
Sub-heading: Deleting Your Otter.ai Account
Access General Settings: In your Otter.ai Account Settings, look for a "General" tab or section.
Locate 'Delete Account': Scroll to the bottom of the General settings. You should find a "Delete Account" option.
Follow Deletion Prompts: Click on it and follow the instructions. You will likely be asked to enter your password for verification.
Warning: Deleting your account is irreversible and will remove all your transcripts and data from Otter.ai.
By following these comprehensive steps, you should be able to effectively remove Otter.ai from your Zoom meetings and regain full control over your meeting privacy. Remember, consistent review of your connected apps and settings in both platforms is key to maintaining a secure and desired meeting environment.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to stop Otter.ai from automatically joining all my future Zoom meetings?
You can stop Otter.ai from auto-joining by logging into your Otter.ai account, navigating to Account Settings > Meetings, and toggling off the "Auto-join all meetings" option.
How to remove Otter.ai from a Zoom meeting that is currently in progress?
As the Zoom meeting host, open the Participants panel, find "Otter.ai Notetaker" in the list, hover over its name, click "More," and then select "Remove."
How to ensure Otter.ai doesn't join my Zoom meetings even if someone else uses it?
As the host, you can enable a Waiting Room in your Zoom settings. This allows you to vet and admit participants individually, preventing unwanted bots like Otter.ai from joining without your permission.
How to check if Otter.ai is still connected to my Zoom account?
Log in to your Zoom account, go to the Zoom App Marketplace (
How to disconnect my calendar from Otter.ai?
Log in to your Otter.ai account, go to Account Settings > Apps, and under the "Connect calendars & contacts" section, click "Disconnect" next to the calendar you wish to unlink.
How to revoke Otter.ai's permissions directly within Zoom?
After logging into the Zoom App Marketplace, go to "Manage" or "Admin App Management," locate Otter.ai, and choose to "Uninstall," "Remove," or "Revoke Access" for the application.
How to prevent pre-recording emails from Otter.ai?
Within your Otter.ai account settings (likely under the "Meetings" section), look for an option to disable "Send pre-recording emails" or similar notification settings.
How to completely delete my Otter.ai account and all its data?
Log into your Otter.ai account, go to Account Settings > General, scroll to the bottom, and click on "Delete Account." Be aware this is a permanent and irreversible action.
How to stop Otter.ai from sharing conversations automatically?
In your Otter.ai Account Settings, under the "Meetings" tab or "Sharing" settings, you can often find options to turn off auto-share settings for conversations and meetings.
How to manage Otter.ai if I'm a Zoom administrator for my organization?
As a Zoom administrator, you can manage and disable Otter.ai for all users on your account through the Zoom App Marketplace by navigating to Admin App Management and then selecting Otter.ai to disable or remove it.
