Jitsi iFrame API Customization Guide: Embed and Control Jitsi Meetings Your Way

Introduction

Jitsi is popular because it is open source, flexible, and easy to use. But when you want to integrate meetings directly into your own website or app, basic Jitsi usage is not enough. This is where Jitsi iFrame API Customization becomes important.

With the Jitsi iFrame API, you can embed a live Jitsi meeting inside your website and control how it looks and behaves. You can hide buttons, apply your branding, control audio and video, listen to meeting events, and even manage participants programmatically. This guide explains everything in simple English, step by step, so you can confidently customize Jitsi embeds without feeling overwhelmed.

This article is written from real-world experience working with Jitsi deployments and client projects, following best practices and focusing on what actually works in production.

What Is Jitsi iFrame API Customization?

Jitsi iFrame API Customization refers to using Jitsi’s official JavaScript API to embed a Jitsi Meet conference into a web page and control it using code.

Instead of sending users to meet.jit.si or your self-hosted Jitsi URL, you place the meeting inside an <iframe> and interact with it using JavaScript.

With this API, you can:

• Embed meetings inside dashboards or apps
• Control meeting behavior using JavaScript
• Customize the user interface
• Apply your brand logo and colors
• Listen to meeting events like join, leave, mute, or screen share

This approach is commonly used in:

• SaaS products
• Telehealth platforms
• Online learning systems
• Customer support tools
• Internal company portals

Why Use Jitsi iFrame API Instead of Simple Embed?

Jitsi offers a basic embed option, but it is very limited. If you want full control, the iFrame API is the better choice.

Key Benefits

• Better user experience: Meetings feel like part of your product
• Brand consistency: Match your app design
• More control: Control audio, video, and layout
• Event handling: React to user actions in real time
• Scalability: Works well for production apps

If you are building anything beyond a simple meeting link, iFrame API customization is the right solution.

How Jitsi iFrame API Works

At a high level, Jitsi iFrame API works like this:

1. You include Jitsi’s external API script
2. You define a container in your HTML
3. You create a new Jitsi Meet instance using JavaScript
4. You pass configuration and interface options
5. You control the meeting using commands and events

The meeting runs inside an iframe, but you interact with it as if it were part of your app.

Basic Setup for Jitsi iFrame API

Step 1: Add the Jitsi External API Script

<script src="https://meet.jit.si/external_api.js"></script>

For self-hosted Jitsi, replace the domain with your own server URL.

Step 2: Create a Container Element

<div id="jitsi-container" style="width: 100%; height: 600px;"></div>

This is where the meeting will appear.

Step 3: Initialize the Jitsi Meeting

<script>
const domain = "meet.jit.si";
const options = {
    roomName: "MyCustomRoom123",
    parentNode: document.querySelector('#jitsi-container'),
    width: "100%",
    height: 600
};

const api = new JitsiMeetExternalAPI(domain, options);
</script>

At this point, your meeting is live and embedded.

Jitsi iFrame API Customization Options

This is where things get interesting. You can customize both behavior and appearance.

Interface Customization Options

Jitsi allows you to hide or show interface elements.

Common Interface Options

interfaceConfigOverwrite: {
    TOOLBAR_BUTTONS: [
        'microphone',
        'camera',
        'chat',
        'raisehand',
        'hangup'
    ],
    SHOW_JITSI_WATERMARK: false,
    SHOW_WATERMARK_FOR_GUESTS: false
}

What You Can Customize

• Toolbar buttons
• Watermarks
• Filmstrip visibility
• Chat panel
• Screen sharing button

This helps create a clean and focused meeting experience.

Branding and Visual Customization

Custom Logo and Branding

You can apply your branding using configuration options.

configOverwrite: {
    brandingRoomAlias: "My Brand Meeting",
    defaultLanguage: "en"
}

For deeper branding, such as logos and colors, self-hosted Jitsi gives you more control.

Why Branding Matters

• Builds trust
• Looks professional
• Matches your product identity

For SaaS products, branding is not optional.

Controlling Audio and Video with Commands

Jitsi iFrame API provides commands to control the meeting.

Common Commands

api.executeCommand('toggleAudio');
api.executeCommand('toggleVideo');
api.executeCommand('toggleChat');
api.executeCommand('hangup');

Real Use Cases

• Auto-mute users on join
• Disable video by default
• Create custom UI buttons
• End meeting from admin panel

This level of control is essential for professional platforms.

Listening to Jitsi iFrame API Events

Events allow your app to react to what happens in the meeting.

Example Event Listener

api.addEventListener('participantJoined', function(event) {
    console.log('Participant joined:', event);
});

Useful Events

• participantJoined
• participantLeft
• audioMuteStatusChanged
• videoMuteStatusChanged
• screenSharingStatusChanged
• readyToClose

Events help you build smart workflows and analytics.

Managing Participants with the API

While Jitsi does not allow full participant control for security reasons, you can still:

• Track participant count
• Detect join and leave actions
• Identify moderators
• Control local participant behavior

This is useful for dashboards and reporting tools.

Security Considerations for Jitsi iFrame API

Security is critical when embedding meetings.

Best Practices

• Use JWT authentication for private meetings
• Host Jitsi on your own server for full control
• Restrict domain usage
• Disable unnecessary features
• Keep Jitsi updated

Using JWT with the iFrame API ensures only authorized users can join.

Self-Hosted vs meet.jit.si for iFrame Customization

meet.jit.si

• Quick setup
• Limited branding
• Shared infrastructure

Self-Hosted Jitsi

• Full customization
• Better branding
• More control and privacy

For production and business use, self-hosting is strongly recommended.

Performance Tips for Embedded Jitsi Meetings

To ensure smooth performance:

• Use a dedicated Jitsi server
• Enable hardware acceleration in browsers
• Limit video quality when needed
• Use proper server resources
• Monitor bandwidth usage

Performance directly affects user satisfaction.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading the UI with buttons
• Ignoring mobile responsiveness
• Not handling meeting close events
• Using public servers for private apps
• Forgetting backups after updates

Avoiding these mistakes saves time and support issues.

Real-World Use Cases of Jitsi iFrame API Customization

• Telemedicine platforms embedding video calls
• Online learning systems with virtual classrooms
• Customer support chat with live video
• Internal company meeting tools
• Event platforms with live sessions

These examples show how flexible the iFrame API really is.

Conclusion

Jitsi iFrame API Customization gives you full control over how Jitsi meetings work inside your website or application. From branding and UI changes to event handling and command execution, the API allows you to build a professional, seamless video experience.

If you are serious about integrating video meetings into your product, learning and using the Jitsi iFrame API is a must. Start simple, test thoroughly, and gradually add advanced features as your needs grow.

Ready to experience secure and hassle-free video conferencing? Try Jitsi Meet Today!