Where do Zoom recordings go on Mac?

Zoom meetings have become a norm. And in the era of online meetings, you will need to know: Where does Zoom save recordings on Mac for quick access, editing, and sharing?

Whether you want to schedule a follow-up conversation, send off slides, or be updated on what you missed during a call that you couldn’t attend, being well-organized with never-ending Zoom recordings can be a time saver. 

Depending on your settings and account type, Zoom allows you to save recordings locally on your Mac or in the cloud. Now, let us move ahead with finding and managing Zoom recordings on Mac.

Where are Zoom recordings stored on macOS?

Say you are in a Zoom meeting and recording some important briefs for future use, and after the meeting, you need to recap what’s being discussed from the recordings. So, where do recorded Zoom meetings go?

By default, Zoom recordings are saved under a Zoom subfolder in Documents (~/Documents/Zoom). All folders should already have a date, time, and meeting title created for each recording, making it easier to locate. 

After finding your recordings, you might want to present them to co-workers. I recommend Presentify, a tool that allows you to draw, highlight, and annotate on the screen in real-time as you present, making your presentations clearer and more interactive.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Install and open Presentify.
2. Click the Presentify icon in the menu bar.
3. Click Annotate Screen. You will see a toolbar with several annotation tools. 
4. Use the tools to annotate and draw on the Zoom screen. 

You can also select different colors to make your presentation more lively. And if you want to stop annotating, click Stop Annotating Screen in the menu bar or just press Esc.

How to access Zoom recordings on Mac using Finder

If you, like many other Mac users, have tried everything to find that one important Zoom recording that you’ve saved somewhere on your device, then you’re not alone. I remember scouring several folders to find a recording of client consultation but to no avail. That was when I first used Zoom on my Mac. 

Knowing the exact location of your Zoom recordings can help you save a lot of time and feel less frustrated. It took me a while to find their storage, but only after going through Zoom’s documentation. Fortunately, it is quite easy to find the recordings once you know where to look. 

So, here’s where to find your Zoom recording on Mac and also a quick tip to make your life easier: 

1. Open Finder.
2. Click the Documents folder in the sidebar. 
3. Open the folder named Zoom, and you will find Zoom recordings here.

Each recording is organized into a folder with the meeting date, time, and title. That’s it!

How to change the default save location for Zoom recordings

During a crucial Zoom meeting, you might need to record it and take notes afterward, especially when the presenter talks fast. 

You will need to know where Zoom saves recordings on Mac, whether you want to save them for a meeting recap, share them with colleagues, or use them for tracking purposes in your workspace. 

The silver lining is that Zoom enables you to change the location where you want your recordings to be stored, thus keeping them organized the way you like them. 

Follow the steps below to quickly switch to a new default save location where you can find recordings quickly on your Mac:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Open Zoom.
2. Click Zoom Workplace in the top menu bar > Settings.
3. Click Recording > Select the directory path next to Store my recordings at. 
4. Click Choose a new location and select the folder to which you want to save the recordings.
5. Confirm your choice. From this point on, all your Zoom recordings will be saved to this new directory.

However, please note that this change applies only to new recordings. All other past recordings will stay in their folders.

How to access cloud recordings via the Zoom web portal

Not all of us are fond of saving Zoom recordings to our Mac. It takes up precious space, especially if you’re holding lots of meetings. Personally, I save and record all of my meetings in the cloud storage so I can easily access them anytime. 

Here’s how to find Zoom recordings on the cloud:

1. Go to Zoom.com.com, and sign in.
2. You’ll be signed in to your personal account.
3. From the left sidebar, click Recordings & Transcripts > Cloud recordings.
4. You will have a list of all your cloud recordings between dates, which are titled by meetings.
5. Choose a recording to watch or download, or click Share to create a link. 

Now you know where recorded Zoom meetings go on the cloud, no matter where you are. This gives you the flexibility to watch your Zoom recordings from any device, and they’re shareable with anyone, too.

How to delete old Zoom recordings on Mac

If you have a lot of Zoom recordings like me, know that they can quickly add up after a while, eating up storage space and making it harder to find recent records. 

To delete old Zoom recordings:

1. Open Finder > Documents.
2. Click Zoom.
3. Group your files by Date Added or Date Created to find the oldest recordings that you can remove.

Now you know where to find Zoom recordings on Mac quickly

Admittedly, hunting for a Zoom recording can be pretty intimidating. Where do Zoom recordings go on Mac? There aren’t explicit instructions on how to find them unless you dig deep into Zoom’s tutorials. Hopefully, the steps will help you find your Zoom video on your Mac or the cloud. 

For even greater experience with Zoom, consider these handy apps:

• Path Finder: Boost productivity with advanced file management tools to keep your Mac workspace organized.
• PliimPRO: Safeguard your privacy during presentations with easy controls to hide sensitive information.
• Presentify: Enhance your presentations with annotation tools and on-screen pointers for clear communication.
• CleanMyMac: Free up space by identifying large or outdated Zoom recordings while optimizing your Mac’s performance.

Explore the apps’ capabilities with Setapp — a platform with over 250 macOS and iOS apps with free 7-day trial available. Experience effortless storage management and enhanced productivity. Take charge of your Zoom tasks today!