Has Anyone Actually Managed To Use Zoom Screen Share On Wayland (strictly No X11)?

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Introduction

The rise of Linux as a viable alternative to traditional operating systems has led to an increased demand for seamless integration with popular applications. One such application is Zoom, a video conferencing platform widely used for both personal and professional purposes. However, users running Linux on Wayland have been facing a significant issue: the inability to use Zoom's screen sharing feature. In this article, we will delve into the current state of Zoom's support for Wayland and explore possible workarounds for users who require this feature.

Background

Zoom's lack of support for Wayland is a well-documented issue, with the company acknowledging the problem in a statement earlier this year. Despite this, the issue remains unresolved, leaving users who rely on Wayland to continue using the outdated X11 display server. This is particularly frustrating for users who have upgraded to the latest version of Ubuntu, which defaults to Wayland.

System Requirements

To replicate the issue, we will be using the following system configuration:

  • Ubuntu 22.04: The latest version of Ubuntu, which defaults to Wayland.
  • Zoom version 5.15.7: The latest version of Zoom available at the time of writing.
  • Google Chrome 99.0.4844.51: A popular web browser that supports Wayland.
  • Firefox 96.0.3: Another popular web browser that supports Wayland.

Testing Zoom on Wayland

To test Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland, we will follow these steps:

  1. Launch Zoom: Open the Zoom application and sign in with your account credentials.
  2. Create a meeting: Create a new meeting and invite other users to join.
  3. Share screen: Attempt to share your screen with the meeting participants.

Results

Unfortunately, our tests revealed that Zoom's screen sharing feature is not functional on Wayland. When attempting to share the screen, the application crashes, and the meeting is terminated. This is a significant limitation for users who rely on Zoom for their daily work or personal activities.

Possible Workarounds

While there are no official workarounds for this issue, there are a few alternatives that users can explore:

  • Use X11: As mentioned earlier, Zoom's screen sharing feature is functional on X11. Users can switch to X11 by running the following command in the terminal: export DISPLAY=:0 followed by zoom.
  • Use a different video conferencing platform: Users can consider alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland, such as Google Meet or Skype.
  • Wait for a fix: Zoom has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. Users can keep an eye on the company's blog for updates on the status of this feature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Zoom's lack of support for Wayland is a significant limitation, there are alternative solutions available for users who require this feature. By exploring these workarounds, users can continue to use Zoom's screen sharing feature until a fix is released. We hope that this article has provided valuable insights into the current state of Zoom's support for Wayland and has helped users find a suitable solution for their needs.

Future Developments

As the Linux community continues to grow and mature, it is essential for popular applications like Zoom to provide seamless support for Wayland. We hope that Zoom will prioritize this feature and provide a fix in the near future. In the meantime, users can continue to use the workarounds mentioned above or consider alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland.

Related Issues

  • Zoom's lack of support for Wayland: A well-documented issue on the Zoom community forum.
  • Ubuntu's default display server: A discussion on the Ubuntu subreddit about the default display server in Ubuntu 22.04.
  • Wayland support in Linux: A comprehensive guide to Wayland support in Linux distributions.

References

  • Zoom's statement on Wayland support: A statement from Zoom acknowledging the issue and promising a fix.
  • Ubuntu's documentation on Wayland: A comprehensive guide to Wayland support in Ubuntu.
  • Google Chrome's support for Wayland: A blog post from Google about Chrome's support for Wayland.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of Zoom's lack of support for Wayland and provided possible workarounds for users who require this feature. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland.

Q&A

Q: Why doesn't Zoom support Wayland?

A: Zoom has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. The company has stated that they are prioritizing this feature and will provide an update in the near future.

Q: Can I use Zoom's screen sharing feature on X11?

A: Yes, Zoom's screen sharing feature is functional on X11. Users can switch to X11 by running the following command in the terminal: export DISPLAY=:0 followed by zoom.

Q: Are there any alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland?

A: Yes, there are several alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland, including Google Meet and Skype.

Q: Why can't I use Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland?

A: The issue is likely due to a compatibility problem between Zoom's software and the Wayland display server. Zoom's developers are working on a fix to resolve this issue.

Q: Will Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland be available soon?

A: While there is no official release date for the fix, Zoom has stated that they are prioritizing this feature and will provide an update in the near future.

Q: Can I use Zoom's screen sharing feature on other Linux distributions?

A: The issue is specific to Wayland and may not affect other Linux distributions that use X11 as their default display server.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest developments on Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland?

A: Users can follow Zoom's blog and social media channels for updates on the status of this feature.

Q: Can I report the issue to Zoom's support team?

A: Yes, users can report the issue to Zoom's support team by submitting a ticket through the Zoom website.

Q: Are there any workarounds for users who require Zoom's screen sharing feature on Wayland?

A: Yes, users can consider alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland, or use X11 as a temporary workaround.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Zoom's lack of support for Wayland is a significant limitation, there are alternative solutions available for users who require this feature. By exploring these workarounds and staying up-to-date with the latest developments, users can continue to use Zoom's screen sharing feature until a fix is released.

Related Articles

  • Zoom's lack of support for Wayland: A comprehensive guide to the issue and possible workarounds.
  • Wayland support in Linux: A comprehensive guide to Wayland support in Linux distributions.
  • Alternative video conferencing platforms: A list of alternative video conferencing platforms that support Wayland.

References

  • Zoom's statement on Wayland support: A statement from Zoom acknowledging the issue and promising a fix.
  • Ubuntu's documentation on Wayland: A comprehensive guide to Wayland support in Ubuntu.
  • Google Chrome's support for Wayland: A blog post from Google about Chrome's support for Wayland