How to Record Yourself on Zoom, Step-by-Step
Master the art of recording on Zoom with our straightforward guide. Learn how to capture your meetings or personal notes effortlessly.

✅ Free meeting recording & transcription
💬 Automated sharing of insights to other tools.

Quick answer: You can record yourself on Zoom by starting a new meeting in the Zoom desktop app on Windows or Mac, clicking Record, and saving the video locally or to the cloud, depending on your account. This works even if you are the only participant.
Recording yourself on Zoom sounds simple, yet many people hesitate the moment they open the app. Where does the recording save? What gets captured? Do you need a paid plan?
This guide explains exactly how to record yourself on Zoom, what Zoom actually records, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. It also covers an easier alternative if you want the recording to happen automatically.
Can you record yourself on Zoom?
Yes, Zoom allows you to record video during a Zoom meeting as long as you are signed into a Zoom account and using the Zoom desktop app. This applies whether you are hosting a group call or recording alone.
You can start a new meeting without inviting anyone, turn on your camera and audio, and record directly from your computer. If you join someone else’s Zoom call, the host must grant permission before you can record.
This feature works on supported operating systems, including Windows and macOS. Recording is not available in the Zoom mobile app.
What does Zoom record during a meeting?
Zoom records only what you choose to show. It does not automatically capture everything on your computer.
A Zoom recording can include:
- Your camera video
- Audio from your microphone and participants
- A shared screen, window, or browser tab
- Gallery view showing all participants
- Speaker view focusing on the active speaker
You can switch between gallery view and speaker view during the meeting. The view you select is what appears in the final video.
Note: If you share your screen, Zoom records the selected screen or tab, not your entire desktop, unless you choose it.
How do you record yourself on Zoom from your computer?
Recording yourself on Zoom takes only a few steps once your setup is ready.
- Open the Zoom app on your laptop and sign in to your account.
- Click New Meeting to start a Zoom meeting, even if you are the only participant.
- Turn on your camera, check your audio, and make sure everything looks right.
- When you are ready, click Record in the Zoom toolbar and choose to record on your computer.
- Zoom will begin recording immediately. When you finish, click Stop Recording and then, if you want to end the call, click End Meeting.

Zoom processes the video automatically and saves the files to your computer.
Where do Zoom recordings save on your computer?
By default, Zoom saves local recordings to a Zoom folder inside your Documents directory.
- On Windows, you can usually find recordings in Documents > Zoom.
- On Mac, they are saved in the same location unless you change it in settings.
Zoom creates separate video and audio files. From there, you can edit the video, upload it to YouTube, share it with a link, or download the files for backup.
How do you record yourself giving a presentation on Zoom?
Zoom is commonly used to record presentations, demos, and walkthroughs.
- Start by opening your presentation on your computer.
- Open the Zoom desktop app and start a new meeting.
- Click Share Screen and select the window, application, or browser tab that contains your slides.
- Once the screen is shared, click Record. Zoom will capture your screen, your voice, and your camera if it is turned on. When you are done presenting, click Stop Recording and end the meeting.
This setup works well for product demos, training videos, and educational content created for internal use or YouTube.
How do you record a Zoom meeting automatically with MeetGeek?
If you prefer not to rely on manual recording, MeetGeek offers an automated way to record Zoom meetings without changing how you normally work.
You can start by connecting MeetGeek to your calendar and Zoom account. Once this is set up, MeetGeek automatically joins scheduled Zoom meetings as a participant and begins recording video, audio, and shared screens. There is no need to open another app, invite a bot manually, or remember to click record before the meeting starts.

For ad-hoc Zoom calls or meetings that are not on your calendar, MeetGeek also provides a Chrome extension. With the extension installed, you can start recording directly from your browser with a single click. This is useful when you join a Zoom meeting from a link or need to record something on short notice.

In both cases, the meeting runs as usual. You can talk, present, share your screen, and interact with participants while MeetGeek handles the recording in the background.
After the meeting ends, the recording is processed automatically and saved to your MeetGeek account, where it remains accessible at any time.
What else does MeetGeek do beyond recording?
Recording is only the first step. Once a Zoom meeting is captured, MeetGeek turns it into something far more useful than a standalone video file.
MeetGeek creates full transcripts and clear summaries so you can review key moments without replaying the entire recording. You can search across meetings by keyword, speaker, or topic, which makes it easy to find specific discussions later.

MeetGeek also includes an AI voice agent that can join calls on your behalf. This voice agent can handle routine conversations, attend repetitive meetings, or collect information when you do not need to be present live. It is especially helpful for interviews, follow-ups, or structured calls where consistency matters.

All recordings, notes, and insights are stored in a searchable knowledge base that connects with more than 10,000 integrations. MeetGeek works with CRM systems, project management tools, collaboration platforms, and documentation apps, allowing meeting content to flow directly into the tools you already use.
Instead of just recording Zoom meetings, MeetGeek helps you capture, organize, and reuse conversations without adding extra steps to your workflow.
Can you record yourself on Zoom from your phone?
Yes, you can record yourself on Zoom from your phone, but only if you use cloud recording and have the right permissions. Zoom does not support local recording on mobile devices, which means recordings cannot be saved directly to your phone.
To record from a phone, you need the Zoom mobile app and a Zoom account with cloud recording enabled. You also need to be the host of the meeting or have permission from the host. During the meeting, you can tap the More option and select Record to the cloud to start recording.
Once the Zoom meeting ends, the recording is processed and saved to your account in the cloud. You can then access the video later by signing in to Zoom from a browser on your computer, where you can view, download, or share the recording link.
If you are not the host, or if your account does not include cloud recording, you will not be able to record yourself from your phone. In those cases, recording from a computer or using an automated tool like MeetGeek is usually the more reliable option.
Should you record locally or to the Zoom cloud?
You can record on Zoom in two different ways: local recording and cloud recording.
Local recording is available on free accounts and saves files directly to your computer. Cloud recording stores videos in your Zoom account and provides a shareable link, but it requires a paid plan.
The choice depends on how often you record and how you plan to share the video. Local recording works well for quick videos. Cloud recording is useful when you want easy access and sharing without managing files.
For a more detailed explanation of local vs cloud recording, check out this video:
Zoom recording vs MeetGeek (quick comparison)
Final thoughts
Recording yourself on Zoom does not have to be complicated. Once you know what Zoom records, where files are saved, and which option to choose, the process becomes predictable and reliable.
That said, if you record more than once in a while, manual recording quickly becomes something to remember, double-check, and clean up afterward. With MeetGeek, instead of thinking about recording at all, your Zoom meetings are captured automatically, summarized clearly, and stored in one searchable library.
If you want your meetings to be recorded, searchable, and ready to share without extra steps, try MeetGeek for free and let it handle the work in the background, so you can focus on the conversation itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I record myself on Zoom without showing my face?
Yes, you can record yourself on Zoom without showing your face by keeping your camera turned off and recording only audio or shared screen content. The most reliable approach is to start a Zoom meeting with your camera disabled, turn on your microphone, and use Share Screen if needed. This ensures the recording captures your voice and screen without including your video.
Does Zoom notify participants when the recording starts?
Yes, Zoom automatically notifies all participants when a recording begins by displaying a visible recording indicator on the screen. This applies to both local and cloud recordings, so everyone in the meeting is aware that the session is being recorded.
Can I pause or stop a Zoom recording?
Yes, Zoom allows you to pause or stop a recording at any time during a meeting. You can pause the recording temporarily and continue later, or stop it completely when you are finished. Once the meeting ends, Zoom processes and saves the recorded files automatically.
Can I edit Zoom recordings?
Yes. After a Zoom recording is saved to your computer or cloud account, you can edit the video using standard video editing software. This allows you to trim sections, adjust audio, or prepare the recording for sharing or uploading to platforms like YouTube.
.avif)



































































































