Zoom recordings can be stored in one of two primary locations: the Zoom cloud or your local computer. The destination depends on your account type, settings, and whether you chose cloud or local recording when initiating the meeting.
Cloud Recordings
If you have a paid Zoom account and enabled cloud recording, your meeting recordings are automatically processed and stored on Zoom's secure cloud servers. This is often the preferred method for its accessibility and sharing features.
- Accessing Cloud Recordings:
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal (zoom.us).
- Navigate to the "Recordings" section in the left-hand menu.
- Here, you'll find a list of your cloud recordings, which you can view, download, share, or delete.
- Benefits of Cloud Storage:
- Accessibility: Access recordings from any device with internet access.
- Sharing: Easily share links to recordings with participants or others.
- Processing: Zoom handles the encoding and conversion, making them ready for viewing.
- Storage Management: Less impact on your local device's storage.
Local Recordings
Local recordings are saved directly to your computer's hard drive. This option is available to all Zoom users, including those with free accounts, and is the default if cloud recording isn't enabled or available.
- Default Local Storage Locations:
When you record a meeting locally, Zoom saves the recording files (MP4 for video, M4A for audio, etc.) to a specific folder on your computer. The default location varies by operating system:
| Operating System | Default Recording Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Zoom |
| Mac | /Users/[Username]/Documents/Zoom |
| Linux | home/[Username]/Documents/Zoom |
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Accessing Local Recordings:
- After a meeting ends, Zoom typically converts the recording files, and a folder containing these files will automatically open on your computer.
- If the folder doesn't open, you can manually navigate to the default paths listed above, replacing
[Username]with your computer's user account name. - Alternatively, open the Zoom desktop client, click on "Meetings," then select the "Recorded" tab. From there, you can open the recording location or play the recording.
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Changing the Default Local Recording Location:
You can easily customize where your local recordings are saved:- Open the Zoom desktop client.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings."
- Go to the "Recording" tab.
- Under "Local Recording," click "Change" to select a new destination folder on your computer.
Key Considerations for Managing Recordings
- Storage Space: Be mindful of local storage space, as video files can be large. Regularly back up or move older recordings to external drives if needed.
- Privacy: Always consider privacy implications when sharing recordings, especially if they contain sensitive information or personal data.
- File Types: Local recordings typically include an MP4 file (video/audio), an M4A file (audio-only), a TXT file (chat), and sometimes VTT files (transcripts, if enabled).
For more detailed information on managing your Zoom recordings, refer to the official Zoom Support Center.
