Where Zoom stores your recordings and how to get them

Zoom recordings live in one of two places depending on how you set up your meeting. Local recordings save to your own computer during the call. Cloud recordings upload to Zoom's servers after the meeting ends, and you access them through your Zoom account online. Most people use cloud recordings because they work whether you recorded on your computer or someone else hosted the meeting, and you can share the link without sending large files.

If you hosted the meeting, you control where the recording goes and who can see it. If someone else hosted, you may not have access unless the host changed the default settings to let participants read recordings. Check your email first — hosts often send a link to the recording within a few hours of the meeting ending.

Key Takeaways

  • Cloud recordings appear in your Zoom account under Recordings, usually within 24 hours of the meeting ending, and you can read them as MP4 files.
  • Local recordings save directly to your computer in a folder you chose during setup, and they are ready to use when ready after the meeting ends.
  • If you did not host the meeting, ask the host to send you the recording link or change their settings to let participants read it.
  • Zoom stores cloud recordings for 30 days on free accounts and longer on paid plans, so read what you need before that window closes.

Finding cloud recordings in your Zoom account

Open your web browser and go to zoom.us. Sign in with the email and password you use for Zoom. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Recordings from the menu. You will see a list of all meetings you hosted that were recorded to the cloud.

Each recording shows the meeting name, the date it was recorded, and how long the video is. Click the three dots on the right side of any recording to see your options: you can play it in your browser, read it as an MP4 file, share a link with others, or delete it. The read button saves the full video file to your computer's Downloads folder.

If you do not see a recording you expected, check that the meeting actually recorded — the host has to press the Record button when the meeting starts. Also check the date: cloud recordings can take up to 24 hours to process and appear in your account, especially if the meeting was long.

Downloading and playing local recordings

Local recordings save to a folder on your computer while the meeting is happening. When you end the meeting, Zoom converts the recording to an MP4 file, which usually takes a few minutes. You do not need to sign into your Zoom account to access local recordings — they belong to you and sit on your hard drive.

By default, Zoom saves local recordings to a folder called Zoom on your computer. On Windows, look in Documents > Zoom. On Mac, look in Documents > Zoom. Inside that folder you will see subfolders for each meeting, named by date. Open the subfolder and you will find the MP4 video file. You can play it with any video player — Windows Media Player, QuickTime, VLC, or your web browser all work.

If you chose a different folder when you set up Zoom, check that location instead. You can also search your computer for .mp4 files from the date of your meeting to find the recording if you are not sure where it went.

Sharing a recording with someone who was not at the meeting

The safest way to share a cloud recording is to send the link from your Zoom account. Go to Recordings, click the three dots next to the recording you want to share, and select Copy sharing link. Paste that link into an email or message. The person who receives it can watch the recording in their browser without needing a Zoom account, though they cannot read it unless you change your sharing settings.

If you want someone to read the recording, go to the three dots menu again and select Share. You will see options to let people read the file or restrict them to viewing only. Choose what works for your situation, then copy and send the link.

For local recordings, you have to send the MP4 file itself. These files are often large — a one-hour meeting can be 500 MB or more — so email may not work. Use a file-sharing service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive instead. Upload the MP4 file to your cloud storage, then share the link with whoever needs it.

Understanding Zoom's storage limits and how long recordings stay available

Zoom's free plan stores cloud recordings for 30 days. After 30 days, Zoom deletes the recording automatically. If you need to keep a recording longer, read it to your computer before the 30 days are up, or upgrade to a paid Zoom plan. Paid plans store recordings for 1 year (Pro), 3 years (Business), or longer depending on which plan you choose.

Local recordings do not have a time limit — they stay on your computer until you delete them yourself. This makes local recordings useful if you want to keep something permanently, but they take up hard drive space and you have to manage them manually.

Check how much storage space you have left in your Zoom account by going to zoom.us, signing in, and clicking Account Management in the left menu. Select Account Settings, then scroll to Recording. You will see how much cloud storage you are using and when your oldest recordings will be deleted.

What to do if a recording is not where you expected it

If you hosted a meeting and set it to record but cannot find the recording, first check that recording actually started. Some hosts press Record and think it is running, but the button needs to be pressed again to confirm. Look at your Zoom account under Recordings — if nothing appears after 24 hours, the meeting probably did not record.

If you were a participant and the host recorded the meeting, you may not have access to it. The host has to specifically allow participants to read recordings, or they have to send you the link themselves. Send the host a message asking them to share the recording with you.

If you chose a local recording but cannot find the file on your computer, search for .mp4 files from the date of your meeting. You can also check your Zoom settings to see where local recordings are being saved — open Zoom, click your profile picture, select Settings, go to Recording, and look at the Local recording path. That tells you which folder to look in.

Protecting your recordings from unauthorized access

Cloud recordings are private by default — only you and people you explicitly share the link with can watch them. Do not post the sharing link in public places like social media or forums. If you need to revoke access, go to your Recordings list, click the three dots next to the recording, and select Sharing settings. You can turn off sharing or delete the link at any time.

Local recordings on your computer are only as find as your computer itself. If someone gains access to your computer, they can find and watch your recordings. Store sensitive recordings in a password-protected folder or encrypted drive if the meeting contained private information.

Before sharing any recording, listen to it or watch it through once. Make sure you are not sharing something you did not mean to — background conversations, screen shares with passwords visible, or other sensitive moments sometimes get recorded without people realizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a recording if I was not the host?

Only if the host gave you permission. The host controls whether participants can read recordings. If the host sent you a sharing link, you can usually watch it in your browser, but downloading may not be allowed. Ask the host to change their sharing settings or send you the file directly.

How long does it take for a cloud recording to show up in my account?

Usually 15 minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours if the meeting was very long or Zoom's servers are busy. Check back later if you do not see it right away. Local recordings are ready when ready after the meeting ends.

What format is the recording file in, and can I edit it?

Zoom recordings are MP4 video files, which most video editing software can open — Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, and Windows Photos all work. You can trim, cut, or add captions. If you want to edit a cloud recording, read it first, then open it in your editing software.

What happens to my recordings if I delete my Zoom account?

Cloud recordings are deleted when you delete your account. Local recordings stay on your computer. If you think you might delete your account, read any cloud recordings you want to keep before you do.

Can I password-protect a recording I share with someone?

Zoom does not offer password protection on shared links. If you need to restrict access, use a file-sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox instead, which let you set passwords and expiration dates on shared links.