To learn about setting up MFA (Multi Factor Authentication),
Click here.
Active Directory Sync
Zoho Directory Sync is a secure and straightforward directory, password synchronization tool which helps in syncing users and their passwords in Active Directory (AD) with Zoho accounts.
Zoho Directory enables you to delegate user authentication and management to your Active Directory or LDAP server via Zoho Directory Sync (ZDSync) tool. This tool performs a one-way synchronization from your existing LDAP server to the Zoho Directory Admin Panel. This enables you to maintain all your user identities in a single place, without having to add, edit, or disable user accounts manually in the Admin Panel. As the synchronization always happens from AD to Zoho, the data in AD is never compromised.
Zoho Directory Sync Tool Functions:
- Queries your LDAP Server.
- Queries your Zoho Account.
- Compares the data in the two lists.
- Curates any changes during comparison.
- Updates your Admin Panel with all necessary changes.
Click here to learn more about Active Directory Sync and to download Password Sync Agent (windows).
For setup and configuration steps,
Click here.
Sign-in Activity
Monitor active users, and view recent sign-in activities. Additionally, view user login history, usage, see reports, and more.
To access this feature:
- In The Zoho Directory Integration page, (Settings > Integrations > Zoho > Zoho Directory). Select the Reports tab. Under Applications, click Sign-in activity.

Select Users from the side menu to view list of all your Active users.
Click on the user whose activity you wish to view and choose Account Activity (refer below image).
On clicking that you will see details such as the IP address from where the user accessed Cliq and the login time.

1. Do I need a Zoho Directory account to use Zoho People?
No. You can run Zoho People independently, but Zoho Directory makes user and access management easier across Zoho apps.

Go to the Applications tab in your Zoho Directory account and search and add People from your Zoho Directory account.
2. How do I sync users from Active Directory/LDAP into Zoho People?
Set up AD/LDAP sync in Zoho Directory. All synced users and groups automatically appear in Zoho People.
3. Can Zoho Directory handle single sign-on (SSO) for Zoho People and third-party apps?
Yes. You can configure SSO once in Zoho Directory and it applies to Zoho People/Plus supported external apps.
4. What happens to users in Zoho People if I disable or delete them in Zoho Directory?
The change reflects automatically—disabled or deleted users lose access to Zoho People and other linked apps.
5. How do security policies (MFA, password rules) set in Zoho Directory affect Zoho People logins?
All users logging in to Zoho People must follow the policies you configure in Zoho Directory.
6. Can I use Zoho Directory to manage multiple Zoho People portals under one organization?
Yes. You can manage several Zoho People portals from the same Zoho Directory organization.
7. Is there an additional cost for using Zoho Directory with Zoho People?
8. How do I integrate Zoho Directory with Microsoft 365/Google Workspace so users can sign in to Zoho People?
Enable the respective integration in Zoho Directory, map users, and they’ll be able to log in to Zoho People using their Microsoft 365 or Google credentials.
If your facing any issues with active directory sync or single-sign on, kindly reach contact support at
support@zohodirectory.com.