This guide is for participants using an older phone, a smaller device, or a phone that starts to feel slow during a session. It focuses on staying in the session with the features your device can handle.

What you'll see

When your phone is under strain, you may notice:

• slow loading before the session opens
• delayed audio or video
• fewer visible controls than another person’s device
• permission warnings with Retry device access and Open device settings
• Join audio-only
• a missing Share screen button on some devices

Steps

1. Open the session in the best browser available on your phone.
2. If joining feels heavy, use Join audio-only instead of waiting for camera setup to finish.
3. Once you are inside, keep your camera off if the phone feels slow.
4. Use Chat and Raise hand so you can still take part without forcing your phone to do too much at once.
5. If your microphone or camera is blocked, use Retry device access.
6. If the block comes from your phone or browser settings, use Open device settings.
7. If a feature does not appear, continue with the tools you do have instead of waiting for it.

What this means in practice

Not every phone will show the same feature set at the same time. On a limited device, the best experience is often a lighter session setup: audio on when needed, camera off when not needed, and chat or hand raise for participation.

If your phone struggles, it does not mean you cannot stay in the session. It usually means you should reduce the session load and use the most important controls first.

Limitations to know

• Some buttons appear only when your device and browser support them.
• If Share screen is not visible, your phone does not currently support sharing in that session.
• If your phone is slow, video-heavy use may be difficult even when the session itself is working.

Common mistakes

• Waiting too long for full camera setup when Join audio-only would have worked better.
• Keeping the camera on even after the phone becomes slow.
• Assuming a missing button means the whole session is broken.
• Trying to use every available feature at once on a limited device.

If something isn't working

• If the phone is slow, turn off your camera from the toolbar.
• If the session is still heavy, stay on audio and use Chat for questions.
• If device access fails, use Retry device access, then Open device settings if needed.
• If you do not see a feature such as screen sharing, continue with the features your phone is already showing.