How to automatically record meetings on Zoom using your computer

March 26, 2020 editor

You can easily turn on the “Automatic Record” feature in your Zoom settings online, and begin recording your Zoom calls.

Like other Zoom actions, such as the ability to mute and unmute participants, automatically recording the meeting only applies if you are the host.

It’s important to note that you are also unable to make any of these changes in the Zoom app for desktop or mobile, and can only be done in the browser.

Once you start recording, you can enable the “Recording consent” function to let participants know that you are recording.

Here’s how to do it.

How to automatically record meetings on Zoom

1. Open Zoom in your browser on your Mac or PC.

2. Click on “My Account” in the top-right corner.

3. This will bring you to your profile and settings pages. Click the “Settings” tab under the “Personal” section in the left hand panel.

4. Click the “Recording” tab at the top.

5. Make sure “Local recording” is switched to on first. If this isn’t turned on, you won’t be able to save recordings at all – regardless of whether or not they are automatic.

6. Next, click the toggle next to “Automatic recording” to turn it on. If the feature is turned on, the switch will turn from gray to blue.

7. The “Record on the local computer” option should also be selected. This should be the only available option, unless you have upgraded to a paid account subscription – which gives you the option for cloud recordings.

8. You can also switch on the “Recording consent” feature. This will alert participants on your call that they are being recorded when the meeting starts.

9. Once you’ve made these changes, a small pop-up will appear at the top of your screen that reads, “Your settings have been updated.” It will fade momentarily.

Now, when you start a meeting – whether it’s a new call from the app homepage or a call you scheduled in advance – you’ll find that it will automatically be recorded from the moment you begin, before anyone else has even joined the call.

Click the pause or stop buttons at the bottom or top-left corner to halt recording.