How to Download a Zoom Meeting Recording on Mac

Downloading a recording of a Zoom meeting can be essential for revisiting important discussions, reviewing content at your own pace, or sharing it with others who couldn’t attend. If you have a shared link to a Zoom meeting recording, there are several ways to save it to your computer or device. Here’s a guide to three effective methods to download a Zoom meeting recording from a shared link.

Method 1: Direct Download from Zoom

The most straightforward way to download Zoom recordings is directly from the Zoom app or website, provided the meeting host has given permission to access the recordings.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Access Zoom: Open the Zoom app on your Mac or navigate to the Zoom website and log in to your account.
  2. Navigate to Recordings: Go to the ‘Meetings’ tab, then click on the ‘Recorded’ tab to see a list of your recorded meetings.
  3. Find Your Meeting: Look for the meeting you want to download and click on it.
  4. Download the Recording: If the host has enabled downloads, you’ll see a download icon next to the recording. Click on it to download the file to your Mac.

Method 2: Using a Screen Recorder

If the direct download option is not available, you can use a screen recording tool to record the video while it plays.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Prepare Your Screen Recording Tool: Choose a screen recorder (like OBS Studio, Camtasia, or your operating system’s built-in tool like Windows Game Bar or macOS Screenshot Toolbar).
  2. Set Up the Recording Parameters: Open the screen recorder and select the area of the screen where the video will play. Ensure that you choose the option to record audio.
  3. Play the Zoom Recording: Go back to the Zoom recording link, press play, and immediately start the screen recorder.
  4. Finish Recording: Once the meeting is over, stop the recording and save the file in your desired format and location.

Method 3: Using Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions can help you download videos from various websites, including Zoom.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Install a Video Download Extension: Add a browser extension that supports video downloads. Extensions like Video DownloadHelper are available for browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
  2. Navigate to the Recording: Open the shared link in your browser.
  3. Activate the Extension: Click on the extension icon in your browser’s toolbar. It should detect the video on the page.
  4. Download the Video: Follow the extension’s prompts to download the video. You might have several format and quality options depending on the extension.

Conclusion

Downloading a Zoom meeting recording can be straightforward if direct downloads are enabled. However, if not, using a screen recorder or a browser extension serves as effective alternatives. Always ensure that you comply with privacy laws and obtain necessary permissions from the meeting host and participants before downloading or distributing recorded content.

By using these methods, you can easily save a copy of a Zoom meeting for future reference, ensuring that no critical information is lost and can be revisited whenever necessary.