Where to find your Teams recording and read it

Microsoft Teams recordings are stored in Microsoft Stream, a separate video platform that Teams uses as its backend. When someone records a meeting, Teams automatically uploads it there within a few hours. You read the recording by going to Stream, finding the video, and using Stream's read button — not through Teams itself.

The person who recorded the meeting can read it when ready. Other people in the meeting can read it only if the recorder gave them permission. If you were in the meeting but cannot see the recording, ask the person who hit record to share it with you or change the sharing settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Recordings live in Microsoft Stream, not in Teams, so you must go to Stream to read them.
  • Only the person who recorded the meeting can read it unless they change the sharing settings to allow others.
  • The read button appears in the Stream player — click the three dots in the top right corner and select "read video".
  • Downloaded files are MP4 video files that play on any device with a media player, and the file size is usually 100 MB to 1 GB depending on meeting length.

Steps to read a recording you recorded yourself

Open Microsoft Stream in your web browser. You can go directly to stream.microsoft.com or click the "Recordings" tab in any Teams channel where the meeting took place. Look for the meeting name in the list of videos.

Click on the video to open it. In the top right corner of the player, you will see three dots (the menu button). Click those dots and select "read video" from the menu. Your browser will read the MP4 file to your Downloads folder or wherever your browser saves files by default.

The read time depends on your internet speed and the video length. A one-hour meeting typically takes 5 to 15 minutes to read on a standard home internet connection. You can close the browser tab while the read happens — it will continue in the background.

How to let other people read the recording

If you recorded the meeting and want teammates to read it, you need to change who can access it in Stream. Open the recording in Stream, click the three dots menu, and select "Manage permissions" or "Share".

You can share the video with specific people by typing their email addresses, or you can make it viewable to your entire organization. Once you change the permissions, those people can see the recording in Stream and read it themselves using the same three-dot menu method. They cannot read it from Teams — they must go to Stream.

If you want to let people read it but not share it with your whole organization, add them individually. If you want to revoke access later, go back to the permissions menu and remove their names.

What happens if you cannot find the recording

Recordings take time to process. If the meeting ended less than a few hours ago, the recording may still be uploading to Stream. Check back in 2 to 4 hours. If it has been longer and you still cannot see it, the recording may have failed to save — this sometimes happens if the meeting was very short or if there were network issues.

Another reason you might not see it: the person who recorded it did not share it with you. Ask them to check the sharing settings in Stream and add your email address. If they say they already did, ask them to verify that your organization's Stream settings allow downloads. Some organizations restrict downloads for security reasons, and only the meeting organizer or IT administrator can change that.

Understanding file size and storage

A Teams recording is usually between 100 MB and 1 GB, depending on how long the meeting was and how many people were on camera. A 30-minute meeting with three people on video is typically 200 to 400 MB. A two-hour all-hands meeting with 50 people might be 800 MB to 1.5 GB.

Once you read the file, it takes up space on your computer. If you are downloading many recordings, check how much free space you have. You can delete the downloaded file anytime without affecting the copy in Stream — the original stays there as long as the recorder keeps it.

Playing the downloaded file on different devices

The downloaded file is an MP4 video, which plays on almost any device. On Windows, you can open it with the built-in Movies app or Windows Media Player. On Mac, use QuickTime or the built-in TV app. On phones and tablets, use the default video player or any app like VLC.

You can also import the MP4 into video editing software if you need to trim it, add captions, or combine it with other videos. Common free options include DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac) or iMovie (Mac only). The file format is standard, so any video software will recognize it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a Teams recording if I was not in the meeting?

Only if the person who recorded it shared it with you in Stream. They must change the permissions and add your email address. You cannot read it through Teams — you must go to Stream and use the read button there.

What if my organization does not allow downloads?

Some organizations disable the read button for security or compliance reasons. If you click the three-dot menu and do not see a read option, your IT department has turned it off. You can still watch the recording in Stream, but you cannot save a copy. Contact your IT administrator if you need an exception.

Does downloading a recording delete it from Stream?

No. Downloading creates a copy on your computer. The original stays in Stream indefinitely unless the person who recorded it deletes it. You can read the same recording as many times as you want.

Can I read a recording from a Teams channel I left?

If the recorder shared it with you before you left, yes — you can still read it from Stream. If they did not share it, you cannot access it once you leave the channel. Ask the recorder to share it with you before you leave, or ask them to add you back temporarily.

How long does Microsoft keep recordings in Stream?

Microsoft Stream keeps recordings indefinitely by default, but your organization may have its own retention policy. Check with your IT department to find out how long recordings are kept. If you need a copy long-term, read it to your computer.