OVERLAID

// GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026

Zoom annotation not showing on your Mac? Here's how to fix it

THE SHORT ANSWER

Most of the time you're sharing a single window instead of your whole screen, or annotation is turned off in your Zoom settings. Share your entire screen, check Settings in the Zoom web portal, and make sure Zoom has Screen Recording permission. Or draw with Overlaid, which works the same in every call app.

There are two different problems that look the same: Zoom's own Annotate button is missing, or your drawings aren't reaching the people watching.

Here are the fixes, most common first.

FIX 01

Share your whole screen, not a window

Most common fix

If you draw with any overlay app (Overlaid included), your marks live in their own transparent window. A single-window share only sends that one window, so viewers never see them.

  1. 1Stop sharing.
  2. 2Click Share again and pick your screen or desktop, not an app window.
  3. 3Draw again. Viewers should see it now.

FIX 02

Turn annotation on in Zoom's settings

If the Annotate button is missing

Annotation can be switched off for your account. If it's off, the button simply isn't there.

  1. 1Sign in to the Zoom web portal and open Settings.
  2. 2Under In Meeting (Basic), turn on Annotation.
  3. 3If the toggle is greyed out, it's locked by your Zoom admin. Ask them to turn it on.

FIX 03

Check who's allowed to annotate

If participants can't draw

Viewers can only annotate if the host allows it, and annotation isn't supported in Zoom's web client.

  1. 1As host, open the share toolbar's options and allow participants to annotate.
  2. 2Ask viewers to use the Zoom desktop app rather than the browser.

FIX 04

Give Zoom Screen Recording permission

If sharing shows a blank screen

macOS won't let Zoom share your screen at all without it, and a blank share hides everything, drawings included.

  1. 1Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security.
  2. 2Open Screen Recording (called Screen & System Audio Recording on newer macOS).
  3. 3Turn on Zoom, then quit and reopen it.

FIX 05THAT'S US

Or skip Zoom's tools entirely

$11.99 once, 7-day free trial

Overlaid draws on your screen, not inside Zoom, so there's no Annotate button to go missing and nothing for an admin to lock. It works the same in Meet, Teams and recordings.

  1. 1Share your entire screen.
  2. 2Press ⌃⌥D and draw.

GOOD

  • +Same tools in every call app
  • +Keystrokes, zoom and cursor effects

NOT SO GOOD

  • −Only you can draw
  • −Still needs a whole-screen share
Try Overlaid free for 7 days →

// WORTH KNOWING

THREE TIPS.

Test with a second device

Join your own meeting from your phone before a big call. You'll see exactly what viewers see.

Do Not Disturb first

Sharing the whole screen shares notifications too.

Hide what you don't need

Close or hide apps you don't want on the call before you share the whole screen.

// FAQ

QUICK QUESTIONS.

Usually because you're sharing a single window. Annotation apps draw in their own window on top, which a window share doesn't include. Share the entire screen.

Annotation is turned off or locked at the group or account level. Check Settings in the Zoom web portal, or ask your Zoom admin.

No. Zoom's annotation isn't supported in the web client. Participants need the desktop app, and the host has to allow it.

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