Collaborating via Zoom meetings has become indispensable for remote work. But what happens when critical discussions, brainstorms, or training sessions conclude? This is where Zoom‘s recording capability provides immense, ongoing value.
Recordings allow you to revisit conversations, clarify decisions, onboard new hires, ensure policy compliance, and much more. But if discovering old recordings feels like finding lost treasure, you may not be getting the most out of this feature.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll provide pro tips so you can effortlessly access Zoom recordings anytime. Soon this powerful feature will feel like second nature.
Why Accessing Recordings Matters
Before diving into the playback specifics, it‘s important to understand why recordings can be so useful if accessed consistently:
Continuous Learning. Recording trainings, lectures, and talks means the material can be consumed on-demand by those who missed it or as a refresher. Some companies even curate a library of recordings as a self-serve campus.
Policy & Compliance. Financial services and healthcare organizations often have regulatory requirements to record sensitive meetings. Referring to past recordings ensures accountability.
Accurate Decision Making. Revisiting strategic sessions, project planning meetings, and brainstorms ensures no detail is lost. Recordings act as a source of truth.
Onboarding Assistance. Allowing new team members access to historical recordings gets them oriented faster to processes.
Consistently accessing recordings amplifies these benefits. But nearly 60% of respondents in a 2021 Zoom survey admit to not using the software’s recording capability even though it‘s available.
Now let‘s unlock recordings as the productivity accelerant they can be!
Zoom Recording Options
Zoom offers two approaches for recording your sessions, with tradeoffs depending on your priorities and resources.
Local Recordings: Saved directly on the host computer running Zoom. No internet access needed for playback later. Storage capacity determines length.
Cloud Recordings: Saved to Zoom‘s servers, allowing instant playback from anywhere. Subscription plans determine available cloud storage.
| Recording Type | Storage Location | Playback Access | Maximum Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Host computer | Requires local download first | Only limited by device capacity |
| Cloud | Zoom servers | Instant playback via link | Depends on account plan limits |
For individuals and smaller teams, local recordings often provide the best balance of functionality and cost. But cloud recordings enable easier sharing across an organization.
Combining both methods creates a comprehensive recording strategy. Critical sessions can be uploaded to the cloud post-meeting while regular meetings default to local-only.
Accessing Local and Cloud Recordings
Now that you know the recording options, here is how to find these treasures again later on:
Via the Zoom Website
The Zoom website provides a central location to access both local and cloud recordings tied to your account.
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Head to zoom.us and select Sign In
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Enter your credentials and then choose Recordings in the left menu
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Local recordings can be downloaded while cloud recordings include a playable link to stream
This works well as cloud storage accrues over time. But for accessing local recordings, using the Zoom app directly can save clicks.
Via the Zoom Desktop App
The Zoom app for Windows and Mac offers quick access to recordings:
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Launch the Zoom app and sign in
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Select Meetings > Recorded to view available local recordings
From here you can open the MP4 files in your default video player application.
Pro Tip: Click "Open File Location" to jump right to the folder containing the recording!
By Finding Local Recording Files
You don‘t necessarily need the Zoom app to access local recordings. Here is how to locate them manually:
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Navigate on your computer to Documents > Zoom
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Open the folder for your meeting which includes the date and name
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Double-click the MP4 file to play back the recording!
This comes in handy if you want to transfer recordings elsewhere or can‘t access the Zoom app itself.
Which Method is Best?
I often recommend using the desktop app or file explorer to access local recordings. The process feels faster compared to the website.
And while the cloud offers advantages, local recordings give you full control. By manually uploading select recordings to a platform like Google Drive, you get flexibility without a recurring cost.
But more important than playback method is deciding on an intuitive storage approach…
Customizing Your Local Recording Storage
By default, Zoom saves recordings to a folder buried in your personal documents. This works initially but can quickly get disorganized.
Wouldn‘t it be better if related recordings were actually together? Perhaps stored by project, client, department, or whatever suits your needs?
Thankfully it only takes a moment to redirect recordings to custom folders:
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In the Zoom desktop app, click on your profile picture then Settings
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Choose Recording on the left navigation
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Click the file folder icon next to Recording Location to assign a custom destination
Now Zoom will automatically save all local recordings in your preferred spot, keeping future meetings organized.
Some other settings worth adjusting:
- Record speaker view separately – Saves each participant‘s view in separate files
- Place a timestamp in recorded file name – Helps identify when meetings occurred
- Display participant name on their video – Matches names to faces
Fine tuning these options ensures your recordings provide better context down the road.
Sharing Recordings Securely
The ability to share recordings after meetings might be the killer feature you were waiting for.
Rather than trying to convey all details second-hand to colleagues who couldn’t attend, why not send them the real deal?
With a cloud recording, simply copy and share the provided link once the meeting concludes. This allows anyone you grant permission to stream the content.
For a local recording, a few quick post-meeting steps make sharing simple:
- Upload your MP4 file to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, or a document management platform
- Share the link or adjust permissions to allow access
- Notify relevant individuals the recording is available
This takes just a minute but unlocks ongoing value from your Zoom discussions.
Important: Before sharing recordings widely, be sure to consult your organization‘s security and privacy policies. Recordings may contain confidential information that requires protection.
Key Takeaways
Hopefully this guide has shone a light on getting the most from Zoom recordings. Here are some key best practices:
- Use cloud recordings for convenient, secure collaboration across your team
- Rely on local recordings for affordable long-term storage with total access control
- Customize the save location for local recordings so future meetings stay organized
- Share with discretion after uploading local recordings to suitable platforms
Soon, accessing meeting recordings will feel like second nature. Just like cherished photos capture meaningful moments, treat recordings as memories to enrich relationships, productivity, and innovation long after meetings conclude!
Excited to turn recordings into an asset at your organization? First understand they are an investment – discuss requirements, policies, procedures and company culture to ensure professional handling by all.
Next: Comparing Zoom Plans
Now that you‘re a power user of recordings, it‘s worth revisiting which Zoom plan best matches your needs.
Zoom Pricing Guide: Which Plan is Right For You?
I break down all the options so you can make the most economical choice aligned to your use case.
