How to record a Zoom meeting

Zoom can record a meeting on its own, if the host allows it. Lira records it from your side, on the Mac, and when the call ends you have the transcript, the summary and the commitments.

Recording with Zoom itself

Zoom has two kinds of recording: to your computer, on every Zoom account, and to the Zoom cloud, on paid accounts.
Only the host and co-hosts can start a cloud recording. A participant can record to their computer only if the host lets them.
Computer recording does not work in the Zoom app on iPhone, iPad or Android.
To start: in the meeting, click Record and choose this computer or the cloud.

Where Zoom saves the recording

Computer recordings go to the Zoom folder in Documents: /Users/[name]/Documents/Zoom on a Mac, C:\Users\[name]\Documents\Zoom on Windows.
Cloud recordings are in Recordings & Transcripts in the Zoom web portal.

Recording a Zoom call with Lira

The Mac app lives in the menu bar and captures both sides of your Zoom call, plus your microphone.
Nothing joins the meeting: Lira records the sound on your Mac.
Audio is saved every 5 seconds: if something crashes, you lose at most 5 seconds, never the whole meeting.
Not on a Mac: record from the browser or the iPhone and Android apps, which use your microphone.

What you get when the call ends

The transcript, with speakers named, in 10 languages.
A summary built for the kind of meeting.
The commitments: who owes what to whom, and by when.
During the call, on the Mac, a live advice board with a source behind each cue.
Weeks later, ask what was agreed and get the answer with its source.

Tell people you are recording

Zoom tells participants when the host records. Lira records on your Mac, so it does not tell anyone for you. In many places you must tell people they are being recorded; the decision and the duty are yours.

Questions

Can you record a Zoom meeting if you are not the host?

With Zoom's own recording, only if the host gives you permission. Lira records the sound on your own Mac, so it does not need the host's permission. Telling the others is still on you.

Where are Zoom recordings saved?

On your computer, in Documents/Zoom by default; cloud recordings in the Zoom web portal.

Does Zoom make a transcript?

Lira makes one for every recording, with speakers named, in 10 languages.

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Sources

Checked 9 October 2026. Prices and features can change.