Where Are Zoom Recordings Stored? Find Cloud & Local Files Fast

As of 2026, Zoom recordings are stored either in Zoom's cloud (for cloud recordings) or on your local computer (for local recordings). Cloud recordings appear in your Zoom web portal within minutes, while local recordings save directly to your computer's Documents folder. The location depends entirely on which option you selected when you started recording.

You just finished recording an important Zoom meeting. Maybe it was a research interview, a client call, or a focus group session. You clicked "stop recording," and now you're wondering: where did that file actually go?

The answer depends on one simple choice you made (or Zoom made for you): cloud or local. Here's everything you need to know about finding, accessing, and managing your Zoom recordings in 2026.

Cloud vs. Local: Understanding Your Two Options

Unlike some platforms that route recordings automatically, Zoom gives you a choice every time you hit record. This flexibility is powerful but can cause confusion if you don't remember what you selected.

Recording Type	Storage Location	Access Method	File Available
Cloud Recording	Zoom servers	Web portal (zoom.us)	5-60 minutes after meeting
Local Recording	Your computer	Documents folder	Immediately after meeting

The key difference: Cloud recordings are accessible from anywhere through your browser. Local recordings only exist on the computer where you recorded them.

If you're on a free Zoom account, you only get local recording. Cloud recording requires a paid plan (Pro, Business, or Enterprise).

The Basics: Why Zoom Offers Both Options

Cloud recording makes sense for collaboration. Your recordings live on Zoom's servers, which means you can share them with anyone via a link, access them from any device, and let Zoom handle the processing and transcription.

Local recording makes sense for control and privacy. The files stay on your machine, never touch Zoom's servers, and you own the only copy. This matters for sensitive research data, confidential business discussions, or anyone working under strict data governance requirements.

The practical tradeoffs are real. Cloud recordings are convenient but count against your storage quota (which varies by plan). Local recordings don't hit any quota but require you to manage files yourself, and if your computer crashes during the meeting, you might lose the recording. Cloud recordings also support Zoom's AI Companion features like smart summaries and chapters, while local recordings are just raw video files.

How to Find Your Zoom Recordings (Three Methods)

Zoom stores recordings differently based on whether you chose cloud or local. Here's how to find both.

Method 1: Through the Zoom Desktop App (Fastest)

This works for both cloud and local recordings and is the quickest way to find what you just recorded.

For any recording:

1. Open the Zoom desktop app

2. Click Meetings in the left sidebar

3. Select the Recorded tab at the top

4. You'll see all your recordings listed with date, duration, and type (cloud or local)

5. Click any recording to open it

From here, you can:

• Play cloud recordings directly in the app

• Open local recording folders on your computer

• Share cloud recordings via link

• Download cloud recordings to your computer

Method 2: From the Zoom Web Portal (Cloud Recordings)

If you want to manage cloud recordings, share them, or adjust settings, the web portal gives you full control.

1. Open your web browser and go to zoom.us

2. Sign in with your Zoom account

3. Click Recordings in the left navigation menu

4. All your cloud recordings appear here, organized by date

5. Click any recording to play, download, or share

The web portal also shows:

• Recording storage used vs. your quota

• Who has accessed shared recordings

• Transcript files (if transcription was enabled)

• Audio-only versions for smaller downloads

Method 3: From Your Local Documents Folder (Local Recordings)

If you recorded locally, the files are on your computer in a predictable location.

Default locations:

• Windows: C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Zoom

• Mac: /Users/[YourName]/Documents/Zoom

Inside the Zoom folder, each recording gets its own subfolder named with the meeting topic and date. Open that folder to find:

• The video file (MP4 format)

• An audio-only file (M4A format)

• A chat transcript (if chat was used)

• A VTT transcript file (if local transcription was enabled)

If you can't find the folder, open Zoom Settings → Recording to see (and change) your local recording path.

Sharing Your Zoom Recordings Securely

Once you've found your recording, sharing works differently for cloud vs. local.

Sharing Cloud Recordings

1. In the Zoom web portal, find your recording under Recordings

2. Click Share next to the recording

3. Configure your sharing settings:

   • Publicly: Anyone with the link can view

   • Only authenticated users: Requires Zoom sign-in

   • Specific users only: Enter email addresses

4. Optional: Add a passcode, set an expiration date, or disable downloads

5. Copy and send the link

For sensitive content like research interviews, always use "Specific users only" or at minimum require authentication. Enable passcodes and expiration dates. Disable viewer downloads if you want to maintain control of the file.

Sharing Local Recordings

Local recordings are just files on your computer, so sharing them means sharing the file itself:

1. Navigate to the recording in your Documents/Zoom folder

2. Upload the MP4 to your preferred sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)

3. Share using that service's sharing controls

Alternatively, you can upload local recordings to Zoom's cloud after the fact:

1. Go to zoom.us → Recordings

2. Click Upload in the top right

3. Select your local recording files

4. Once uploaded, share like any cloud recording

   
   

Troubleshooting: When You Can't Find Your Recording

"I recorded a meeting but the file isn't showing up"

For cloud recordings: Wait 30-60 minutes. Processing takes time, especially for long meetings or when Zoom's servers are busy. Recordings over 2 hours can take several hours to appear. Check your email for a notification from Zoom when processing completes.

For local recordings: The file should appear immediately. If it doesn't:

• Did the recording actually start? Look for the red recording indicator during the meeting

• Did you choose local or cloud? Check the recording tab in Zoom to see what type it is

• Did the meeting end properly? Zoom processes local recordings when you end the meeting—if you force-quit, files may be corrupted

• Is your disk full? Local recordings fail if you run out of space

"The recording is in the portal but I can't play or download it"

Your organization might have restrictions on recording access. Contact your Zoom admin about your account's recording policies.

"I accidentally deleted a recording"

Cloud recordings: Check the Trash in your Zoom web portal (Recordings → Trash). Deleted recordings stay there for 30 days before permanent deletion.

Local recordings: Check your computer's Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If you emptied it, the file is gone unless you have a backup.

"The recording quality is terrible"

Zoom recording quality depends on bandwidth during the meeting. If you or participants had poor connections, the recording reflects that. There's no way to improve quality after the fact.

For future meetings: use a wired connection, close bandwidth-heavy applications, and ensure participants do the same. Cloud recordings capture what Zoom receives, so poor upstream connections from participants will affect quality.

"Automatic transcription isn't working"

Cloud transcription requires:

• A paid Zoom account (Pro or higher)

• Transcription enabled in your Zoom settings

• Supported languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Dutch, and more)

Even when enabled, Zoom's automatic transcription has accuracy limitations with technical terminology, accents, multiple speakers talking over each other, and poor audio quality. For research-grade transcripts, professional transcription services deliver much higher accuracy.

Downloading and Organizing Your Recordings

Downloading Cloud Recordings

1. Go to zoom.us → Recordings

2. Find your recording and click on it

3. Click the Download buttons next to each file:

   • Video file (MP4)

   • Audio only (M4A)

   • Transcript (VTT)

   • Chat file (TXT)

Best Practices for Organization

• Rename immediately: Zoom uses generic names like "Meeting Recording." Rename to something descriptive like "ProjectAlpha_Interview_ParticipantID_2026-01-28.mp4"

• Create a folder structure: Organize by project, client, or research study

• Archive completed projects: Move finished recordings to long-term storage to free up cloud quota or local disk space

• Keep backups: Don't rely solely on Zoom's cloud. Download important recordings and store them in at least two places

• Document your system: If you're managing research recordings, create a naming convention guide for consistency

For research interviews or focus groups, a consistent naming scheme like [Project]_[ParticipantID]_[Date]_[SessionType].mp4 makes files easy to locate and import into qualitative analysis software later.

Converting Zoom Recordings to Transcripts

If you need your Zoom recording transcribed for analysis, documentation, or accessibility, you have several options.

Zoom's built-in transcription creates a basic VTT file, but accuracy varies significantly. It works well for clear audio with single speakers in supported languages, but struggles with:

• Technical terminology or specialized vocabulary

• Multiple speakers or overlapping dialogue

• Accents or non-native speakers

• Background noise or poor audio quality

• Mixed-language conversations

Professional human transcription provides much higher accuracy and can include:

• Speaker identification with consistent labeling

• Timestamps at custom intervals

• Formatting for qualitative analysis software (NVivo, MAXQDA, Atlas.ti, Dedoose)

• Verbatim or cleaned-up transcript options

• Specialized terminology accuracy

For sensitive research data, ensure any transcription service you use maintains appropriate security certifications (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2) and has clear data handling protocols for participant confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Zoom cloud recording to appear?

Usually 5-30 minutes for recordings under an hour. Longer recordings (2+ hours) can take several hours. You'll receive an email notification when processing completes.

Can I record a Zoom meeting without being the host?

Only if the host enables participant recording in the meeting settings or grants you recording permission during the meeting. When anyone starts recording, all participants see a notification.

What format are Zoom recordings saved in?

MP4 for video, M4A for audio-only, VTT for transcripts, and TXT for chat logs.

Can participants download my cloud recordings?

Only if you enable downloads in the sharing settings. You control whether viewers can download or just stream.

How long are Zoom cloud recordings kept?

Until you delete them or your organization's retention policy removes them. Storage counts against your plan's quota, so you may need to delete old recordings to free space.

Can I edit a Zoom recording?

Not within Zoom. Download the MP4 and use video editing software (iMovie, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, etc.). The edited version won't replace the original in Zoom's cloud.

What happens to recordings if I cancel my Zoom subscription?

Cloud recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. Download anything you need to keep before canceling.

Why can some people not access my shared recording?

Check your sharing settings. If you require authentication, they need a Zoom account. If you limited to specific emails, verify their email is on the list. Passcode-protected recordings need the passcode to access.

Can I move a local recording to Zoom cloud after the fact?

Yes. Go to zoom.us → Recordings → Upload and select your local MP4 file. This is useful if you recorded locally but later want cloud sharing features.

What's the maximum cloud storage I get?

Depends on your plan. Pro accounts typically get 5GB or 1GB per license. Business and Enterprise plans vary. Check your admin settings for your specific quota.

Need professional transcription of your Zoom recordings? Qualtranscribe provides human-verified transcripts with speaker identification, timestamps, and formatting optimized for qualitative analysis software. HIPAA and GDPR compliant for research and healthcare applications.

Last updated: January 2026. Zoom features and interfaces change periodically, so verify current settings in your Zoom admin portal.