Recording meetings has become an essential feature in today’s digital workspace. Whether you are conducting online classes, business meetings, webinars, interviews, or training sessions, recording your Google Meet session allows you to review discussions later, share with absent participants, and keep important information documented.
If you’re wondering how to record a meeting in Google Meet, this complete beginner-friendly guide will walk you through everything step by step — including requirements, permissions, where recordings are saved, troubleshooting tips, and best practices.
By the end of this article, you’ll fully understand how Google Meet recording works and how to use it confidently.
Why Record a Google Meet Meeting?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why recording meetings can be useful:
-
Share with people who couldn’t attend
-
Review important discussions
-
Keep records of business meetings
-
Save online classes or lectures
-
Document training sessions
-
Maintain proof of agreements
Recording ensures that no important information is lost.
Important: Who Can Record a Google Meet?
This is very important to understand.
Recording is not available for all free Google accounts.
The recording feature is available for:
-
Google Workspace (Business or Education plans)
-
Some eligible organizational accounts
If you are using a personal free Gmail account, the recording option may not appear.
If you don’t see the record option, your account likely does not support it.
Requirements Before Recording
Before you start recording, make sure:
-
You are the meeting host or have permission
-
Your Google account supports recording
-
You are using Google Meet on a desktop (recording is not available directly from mobile apps)
-
You have a stable internet connection
Recording works best on a computer or laptop browser.
How to Record a Meeting in Google Meet (Step-by-Step)
Now let’s go through the exact steps.
Step 1: Start or Join a Meeting
-
Go to meet.google.com
-
Sign in with your Google account
-
Start a new meeting or join an existing one
Once inside the meeting room, you can begin recording.
Step 2: Click the Three Dots (More Options)
At the bottom of the meeting screen, you will see three dots (⋮).
Click on them.
A menu will appear with several options.
Step 3: Click “Record Meeting”
From the menu, select:
Record meeting
If prompted, confirm that you want to start recording.
Google Meet will now begin recording the session.
Step 4: Inform Participants
Once recording starts:
-
A notification appears for all participants.
-
Everyone in the meeting is informed that the recording has started.
This ensures transparency and privacy compliance.
Always inform participants before recording.
What Gets Recorded in Google Meet?
When you record a meeting, Google Meet captures:
-
Active speaker video
-
Screen presentations
-
Audio from participants
-
Chat messages (saved separately in some cases)
However, it does not record:
-
Breakout rooms
-
Other open windows are not being presented
Only the main meeting session is recorded.
How to Stop Recording
When you are ready to stop:
-
Click the three dots (⋮) again
-
Select Stop recording
-
Confirm your choice
The recording will stop.
Note: Recording automatically stops when all participants leave the meeting.
Where Are Google Meet Recordings Saved?
After the meeting ends:
-
The recording is saved to the host’s Google Drive
-
Specifically inside a folder called:
Meet Recordings
You will also receive:
-
An email with the recording link
-
A link in the Google Calendar event (if scheduled via Calendar)
Processing may take a few minutes, depending on meeting length.
How to Access Your Recording
To find your recording:
-
Go to drive.google.com
-
Open the folder called Meet Recordings
-
Click on your video file
The recording is saved in MP4 format.
You can:
-
Play it
-
Download it
-
Share it
-
Move it to another folder
How to Share a Google Meet Recording
Sharing is simple.
Option 1: Share Directly from Google Drive
-
Right-click the recording file
-
Click Share
-
Enter email addresses
-
Choose permission:
-
Viewer
-
Commenter
-
Editor
-
-
Click Send
Option 2: Get Shareable Link
-
Right-click file
-
Click Get link
-
Adjust access settings
-
Copy link and share
You can send it via:
-
Email
-
WhatsApp
-
Slack
-
Telegram
How to Download the Recording
If you want to store it offline:
-
Open Google Drive
-
Right-click recording
-
Click Download
The file will download to your device in MP4 format.
Can You Record Google Meet on Mobile?
Official recording through Google Meet is only available on desktop for eligible accounts.
If you are using a mobile:
You can use:
-
Built-in screen recorder (Android or iPhone)
-
Third-party screen recording apps
However, always inform participants before recording.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: Record Option Not Visible
Possible reasons:
-
Using a free Gmail account
-
Not the host
-
Organization settings disabled recording
Solution:
-
Check account type
-
Contact administrator
-
Use the desktop version
Problem 2: Recording Not Showing in Drive
Solution:
-
Wait a few minutes (processing time)
-
Check the “Meet Recordings” folder
-
Check email notification
Problem 3: Audio Not Clear in Recording
Solution:
-
Use headphones
-
Ensure microphone quality
-
Ask participants to mute when not speaking
Best Practices for Recording Meetings
Here are some professional tips:
1. Always Get Permission
Even though Google notifies participants, verbally inform them before recording.
2. Keep Meeting Organized
Structured meetings create better recordings.
Have:
-
Clear agenda
-
Defined speakers
-
Minimal background noise
3. Check Storage Space
Google Meet recordings are saved in Google Drive.
Long meetings consume storage space.
Make sure your Drive has enough space.
4. Rename Recording Files
Instead of leaving default file names, rename them clearly:
Example:
“Team Meeting – February 2026”
This helps with organization.
5. Delete Unnecessary Recordings
To save storage, remove old or unused recordings.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Recording meetings involves responsibility.
Always:
-
Inform participants
-
Avoid recording confidential information unnecessarily
-
Protect shared links
-
Restrict access when needed
If sharing publicly, be cautious about sensitive discussions.
Benefits of Recording Google Meet Sessions
Recording adds major value in:
-
Online education
-
Remote teams
-
Corporate training
-
Legal documentation
-
Client consultations
-
Content creation
It ensures accuracy and accountability.
Alternatives if Recording is Not Available
If your account doesn’t support recording:
You can:
-
Use screen recording software like OBS Studio
-
Use the built-in Windows or Mac screen recorder
-
Use third-party tools
But remember to follow privacy guidelines.
Final Thoughts
Recording a meeting in Google Meet is simple once you understand the steps. Just start your meeting, click the three dots, select “Record meeting,” and Google will handle the rest.
The recording automatically saves to Google Drive, making it easy to access, download, or share later.
However, remember that the recording feature is available only for certain Google Workspace accounts. If you don’t see the option, it may not be supported on your plan.
Recording meetings can greatly improve productivity, documentation, and communication — especially in remote work environments.
Now that you know how to record a Google Meet session properly, you can confidently host and save important discussions without missing any details.
Start your next meeting with confidence — and don’t forget to hit record when needed.