Have you thought about how to talk to someone who is far away or hold a meeting online? Zoom is your virtual room for such occasions! This is a program that allows you to see and hear other people over the Internet, as if you are nearby. You just create a room, invite anyone there via a link, and now you’re chatting!
In Zoom, you can:
- See and hear all the interlocutors.
- Show the audience your screen (for example, a presentation).
- Chat with each other.
- Record important meetings in Zoom on video.
Zoom is necessary for everyone: for work, study, or just to communicate with loved ones when you are far away and cannot meet in person. It’s like erasing distances with technology!
If you’ve ever tried to record an important call in the Zoom service, you know that it doesn’t always work out. What did you do wrong? Today, let’s take a look at how to record conferences in Zoom so that you never have any problems again.
Is it possible to record a meeting in zoom?
Of course you can. And this is, in fact, one of the coolest and most sought-after options of this program. Whether it’s an important work meeting, an online lecture, or even just a friendly get-together, it’s real to write it all down. But there are a couple of secrets that we will definitely talk about further.
How to record a conversation on a laptop or PC
If you are the organizer of the conversation (the host), then recording it on a computer is easier than ever. Start or join a conversation in Zoom on your laptop or PC. At the bottom of the toolbar you will see a button labeled Record (it usually looks like a circle with a dot inside). Click on it.
The service will immediately ask where you want to save it: To this computer”(this is a local one) or “To the cloud” (this is a cloud one).
If you select the local button, the video will be saved directly to your computer. This is convenient because you won’t depend on Zoom’s cloud storage.
But not everyone can use the cloud option. It is available for paid accounts. The video will be uploaded to Zoom’s servers, and you will receive a link for viewing and downloading. This is good because the video won’t take up space on your device, and sharing it will be much easier.
When you select where to save the video, recording will start immediately. You will notice an indicator (usually a blinking red dot) in the corner of the screen. All interlocutors will also receive a message that the conversation is being recorded, which is important because their rights should not be violated.
When you’re done, press the Pause key./Stop on the same toolbar. If you select Stop, the program will start converting the video (if it is local). With a little patience, the file will be ready.
How to record a meeting in Zoom from a smartphone
You can also record a conversation from your phone, but it has its own peculiarities. In the Android or iOS app, for most users, only the cloud version opens, and then only if you are the meeting organizer (host) and you have your own paid account in the Zoom program.
Log in to the app on your smartphone or tablet and start a conversation or join a meeting that has started.
Click on the More label (usually three dots at the bottom of the screen).
In the menu that opens, if you have rights and a paid account, you will see the option Add to cloud. Click on it.
The recording will start, and everyone will see the corresponding notification.
To stop video recording, press More again and select the Stop key.
What should I do if I don’t have a paid account or I’m not a host? Unfortunately, you will not be able to record a call directly in the mobile application. But there are tricks. You can try using your phone’s built-in screen recording functions (many modern smartphones have them). Just remember: be sure to warn all participants that you are recording the screen. This is very important for ethics and confidentiality.
How to record a conversation in Zoom to a participant
Usually, a participant can’t just record a meeting. This is done in order to control the dissemination of information. But there are two ways to solve this problem: ask the administrator for permission or use third-party programs.
Ask for permission from the organizer
This is the easiest and most correct way. The organizer may give you the right to video recording right during the meeting. To do this, he must:
- Find your name in the list of participants.
- Click on the More label next to your name.
- Select Allow.
As soon as he does this, you will have your own button, and you can choose where to save: to your computer or to the cloud.
Use special programs
You can use special services to record your computer monitor (for example, OBS Studio, Bandicam for Windows, QuickTime Player for macOS).
Screen recorders are software designed to capture an image from your computer screen and convert it into a video file.
The operation of these programs (for example, OBS Studio, Bandicam for Windows, QuickTime Player for mac OS) is based on the following:
- Selecting the capture area. The user determines what exactly will be recorded: the entire screen, the specific active application window, or the selected area of the screen.
- Capture video and audio. The program begins to record visual changes in the selected area of the screen, while simultaneously recording audio from system sources (for example, from an application running on a computer) or from a microphone (the user’s voice).
- Encoding and saving. The captured data is encoded into the selected video format (for example, MP4, WebM) and saved to the computer’s hard drive as a regular video file.
Thus, these programs provide functionality for creating videos that demonstrate actions on the screen, which is useful for educational materials, presentations, gameplay, or conferences.
But once again, be sure to warn all participants. It’s a matter of ethics and respect for others.
Simplifying Zoom Meetings with AI
Technology is working wonders right now. Cool AI tools have appeared that can greatly simplify working with Zoom. This is not just an option, but a real assistant who knows a lot of things.
Such services can:
- Automatically record the meeting. You don’t even need to press a button.
- Transcribe the conversation. That is, to turn all speech into text. It’s super convenient for creating notes.
- Make short theses. AI highlights the main points and topics so that you can quickly refresh your memory or share key information.
- Divide the meeting by speakers. You will know exactly who said what.
It’s just a salvation for those who work with a lot of meetings.
Here are some examples of such cool AI tools.:
- Otter.ai. This is one of the most popular assistants. He can automatically join your Zoom meetings (as a virtual assistant), record them and immediately turn all speech into text (transcribe). After the meeting, he will also make a short list of the main points, and you can easily search for the right phrases in the text. It’s just a salvation for those who don’t have time to take notes!
- Fireflies.ai. It’s also a very powerful tool. He also transcribes and summarizes the meetings. What is convenient is that it can highlight key actions (who should do what) and topics of conversation. And it integrates well not only with Zoom, but also with other services, such as CRM systems, which is very useful for business.
- Fathom. This assistant is especially good for those who only use Zoom. It instantly creates meeting summaries directly from Zoom, highlighting important points. You can quickly get the main conclusions and share them.
- Zoom AI Companion. The program itself doesn’t lag behind either! They have a built-in AI assistant (for paid accounts) that can generate meeting summaries and even highlight tasks directly from a conversation. This is convenient because everything is integrated into the familiar platform.
- Tactiq. This tool also focuses on real-time transcription and AI summary generation. It works as a browser extension and helps you not to get distracted during a call, knowing that the AI will hear and record everything.
These programs act like your personal secretaries: they listen to the meeting, write down everything, analyze the key points and give you a ready-made summary, and sometimes even a list of tasks that were discussed. It saves a lot of time and helps you not to miss anything!
How to record Zoom if there is no resolution
We’ve already touched on this a bit, but let’s take a closer look. If you don’t have permission from the organizer, and the meeting is very important, then the surest way out is to ask for permission. This removes all questions and does not create any legal or ethical problems.
You can use the software for screen videos (the same OBS Studio, which is free, or QuickTime Player on Mac). But be sure to warn other participants about the recording. Otherwise, it may be considered a violation of privacy, and you may have problems. This is a very serious point, you should not ignore it.
Managing Zoom recordings
When you record a meeting, a logical question arises: where can I look for all this later? Let’s figure out where the local and cloud are stored.
Local (to your computer)
After the meeting is over and the conversion is completed, the folder where your file is located will open. This is usually the Zoom folder inside the Documents folder on your computer. It is saved in a separate folder named by the date and time of the meeting. You will find a video file (MP4) and an audio file (M4A) there.
Cloud (for paid accounts)
These files do not take up space on your device. After the meeting, you will receive an email with a link. You can also find them by logging into your account on the website (not in the app), in a special section. There you can view, download, or delete files.
Advice! Always rename records. For example, “Conference call on project X – 05/22/2025”. This way you can quickly find the file you need among hundreds of others.
Diagnosis and problem solving
It happens that something goes wrong and the recording fails. Don’t panic. Here are common reasons and examples of how to get out of the situation:
- There is no button. Most likely, you do not have permission from the organizer (if you are a participant) or the recording is disabled in your account settings (if you are a host). Check the settings on the Zoom website or ask the host to give you permission.
- Cannot be converted / the file is corrupted. You may have run out of disk space, or Zoom was closed before the conversion was completed. Check the available space. If the file is corrupted, sometimes you can find temporary files in the Zoom folder and try to restore (but it’s difficult).
- Poor recording quality. This is most often due to an unstable Internet connection. Also check the quality of your microphone and camera.
- Not enough disk space. If you are recording locally and there is no space, the recording will simply stop or not start. Make room.
- Problems with the cloud. If you can’t log in to the cloud, check the status of your paid account and the cloud storage quota.
Tips for high-quality Zoom recording
To make your record just perfect, remember a few simple rules:
- Stable Internet connection. If possible, use a wired (Ethernet) connection instead of Wi-Fi. If there is Wi-Fi, make sure that the signal is strong.
- It’s a good microphone. The laptop’s built-in microphone often collects a lot of noise. Buy a good headset or an external USB microphone. The difference is huge.
- Good camera and lighting. The better the camera, the clearer the video. And proper lighting (the face should be well lit) will make you even more attractive on the record.
- A quiet place. Try to record in silence. Close the windows and ask your family not to make any noise. Background sounds are very distracting.
- Test version. Before an important meeting, make a short test recording with a friend to make sure that everything is working as it should: sound, video, Internet.
- Warn the participants. Always warn about the recording. It’s polite and proper.
Recording meetings in Zoom is a powerful tool that helps you save important information, review lectures, or simply save pleasant moments. The main thing is to understand the subtleties, be attentive to the settings and, of course, always remember ethics and confidentiality. I hope this guide will help you record meetings without problems and with pleasure.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I record a meeting in Zoom?
If you are the host (organizer), during the meeting, simply click Record on the toolbar and select where to save the file: to a PC or to the cloud (for paid accounts). Participants can record conferences only with the permission of the host.
Where are the Zoom recordings saved?
Local recordings (on a PC) are usually saved in the Zoom folder in the Documents of your device. Cloud recordings (for paid accounts) are available in your account on the Zoom website, in the Recordings block, and a link to them is sent to your email.
Is it possible to record a meeting in Zoom for a participant?
Yes, but only if the organizer of the call approves it. He can do this right during the call.
Why can’t I record an appointment in Zoom?
There may be several reasons.: You don’t have the organizer’s approval, you’re using a free account (for cloud recording), you’ve run out of disk space (for local recording), or the recording feature is disabled in your Zoom account settings.
How do I record a meeting in Zoom on my phone?
In the smartphone app, meeting recording is usually available only to organizers with a paid account and only to the cloud. If you are not a host or you have a free account, you can try using your phone’s built-in screen recording feature (but don’t forget to warn everyone.).
Is it possible to record a Zoom meeting without permission?
Technically, yes, with the help of special screen recording software. However, it is highly discouraged to do this without the warning and consent of all participants due to ethical and legal privacy concerns.
How do I record a Zoom meeting on my laptop?
During the conversation, click Record at the bottom of the screen and select Record to this computer (for local recording) or Add to cloud (for paid accounts).
What is needed for good recording quality?
Stable and fast internet connection, good microphone, sufficient lighting for the camera, as well as a quiet room. If possible, use a wired internet connection.
How do I share a recording from Zoom?
For local recordings: find the file on your computer and upload it to the cloud storage (Yandex.Disk, Google Drive) or send it directly. For cloud recordings: log in to your account on the website, find the entry in the section and copy the link for sharing.
Is it possible to record in a free Zoom account?
Yes, you can make local recordings of meetings in Zoom with your free Zoom account. They will be recorded on your PC, provided that you are the organizer of the meeting. Cloud recording can be used by members who have paid subscriptions.
