Google Meet is a powerful tool used by businesses, educators, and individuals across the globe. But after a meeting ends, one common question often pops up: “Where do Google Meet recordings go?” If you’ve ever hit that record button and later scrambled to find the saved file, you’re not alone.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. From understanding how recordings work, to locating and managing them, you’ll find clear and simple answers to your recording-related concerns.
What Are Google Meet Recordings?
Google Meet allows users to record meetings for later viewing. These recordings capture video, audio, and any shared screen presentations. They’re perfect for:
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People who missed the meeting.
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Reviewing key points discussed.
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Training or onboarding purposes.
But the real challenge begins once the recording ends. So the question remains: where do Google Meet recordings go?
Where Do Google Meet Recordings Go? A Clear Answer
Once you stop recording, Google Meet automatically saves the file to Google Drive. Specifically, it goes into the “Meet Recordings” folder of the person who started the recording.
Let’s break that down:
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If you started the recording, it saves in your Google Drive.
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If someone else recorded, the file saves in their Drive.
You’ll also receive an email with a link to the recording.
How to Access Google Meet Recordings
Step-by-Step: Find Your Recording in Google Drive
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Open Google Drive.
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In the left panel, click “My Drive.”
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Locate the folder named “Meet Recordings.”
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Find your video file. It will be named like this:
Meeting_Name_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMMGMT.mp4
It’s that simple!
Use the Email Notification
After the meeting ends, Google sends an email to the meeting organizer and the person who started the recording. This email contains:
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A link to the recording.
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A download button.
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Share options.
Make sure to check your Gmail inbox and Spam folder if you don’t see it.
Who Can View the Google Meet Recording?
This depends on your sharing settings. By default:
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The recording is private.
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Only the recorder and meeting organizer have access.
However, you can manually share it with others by:
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Opening the file in Drive.
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Clicking the “Share” button.
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Adding email addresses or creating a shareable link.
Remember: sharing settings may differ if your account is part of a Google Workspace for Education or Business setup.
How Long Do Google Meet Recordings Stay in Drive?
Your recordings stay in Google Drive until you delete them. But be mindful of your Drive storage limit.
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Free Google accounts have 15GB of total space.
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Paid Google Workspace plans have more storage.
If your Drive is full, new recordings won’t save. So, managing space is important.
What Happens If I Can’t Find the Recording?
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If you’re asking “where do Google Meet recordings go” and still can’t locate it, here are some troubleshooting tips.
Possible Reasons for Missing Recordings
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The meeting wasn’t recorded properly.
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Someone else started the recording.
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You’re checking the wrong Drive account.
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There was a delay in processing the file.
Steps to Fix the Issue
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Confirm that the meeting was actually recorded.
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Ask others if they received the email or recording.
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Use the search bar in Google Drive with the keyword “.mp4”.
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Check your Trash folder in Google Drive.
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Look in Shared with me tab.
If nothing works, reach out to your Google Workspace admin or Google support.
Where Do Google Meet Recordings Go in Google Calendar Events?
Here’s something cool. If the meeting was scheduled using Google Calendar, the recording is also attached to the calendar event automatically.
Steps:
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Open Google Calendar.
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Click on the past event.
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Look for the “Attachments” section.
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You’ll see the recording link right there.
This is especially useful when meetings involve many people.
How to Share Google Meet Recordings Easily
Sharing is simple, and there are several ways to do it:
Share via Google Drive
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Right-click the recording file.
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Click “Get link”.
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Choose your sharing settings:
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Restricted
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Anyone with the link
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Specific people
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Copy the link and share it.
Share via Gmail
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Open the recording email.
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Click “Forward” to send it to others.
Add to Google Classroom (For Educators)
Teachers can upload the recording directly to a Classroom post. This ensures students can rewatch lessons anytime.
Can You Download Google Meet Recordings?
Absolutely! To download a Google Meet recording:
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Go to Google Drive.
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Find the video file.
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Right-click and select “Download.”
This is useful for offline viewing or creating backups.
How to Organize Google Meet Recordings
Over time, recordings can pile up. Here’s how to stay organized:
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Create folders by project, class, or date.
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Rename files to something meaningful.
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Use color codes for visual clarity.
Example:Marketing_Meeting_April2025.mp4
These steps will make it easier to find what you need—fast.
What About Google Meet Recordings on Mobile?
If you’re using a smartphone or tablet:
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You cannot start or stop a recording from the mobile app.
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But you can view, download, or share recordings via the Google Drive app.
Steps:
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Open the Google Drive app.
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Tap the “Meet Recordings” folder.
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Select your file and tap the three-dot menu to take action.
Storage Tips for Google Meet Recordings
Google Meet recordings can be large. A 1-hour video might be around 200MB–500MB depending on quality. Here’s how to manage space:
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Delete old recordings you no longer need.
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Compress files using tools like HandBrake before storing externally.
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Upgrade your Google Drive plan if needed.
You can also transfer files to cloud storage alternatives like Dropbox or OneDrive.
Can You Automatically Save Recordings Elsewhere?
Not by default, but you can use tools like:
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Zapier: to automate copying files from Google Drive to Dropbox.
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Google Apps Script: for custom automation.
This is great for teams with large video storage needs.
Final Thoughts: Where Do Google Meet Recordings Go?
To recap, if you’ve been wondering “where do Google Meet recordings go,” now you know:
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Recordings go to the “Meet Recordings” folder in the recorder’s Google Drive.
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A link is also sent via email.
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You can find it in Google Calendar events, too.
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Managing, sharing, and organizing recordings is simple with a few smart practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: Can I record Google Meet without permission?
No. Google Meet notifies all participants when a recording begins. Everyone must be informed.
Do all Google accounts support recording?
No. Only Google Workspace users (Education, Business, Enterprise) have the recording feature.
Are Google Meet recordings encrypted?
Yes, all recordings are stored securely in Google Drive and encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Conclusion
You no longer need to wonder, “Where do Google Meet recordings go?” With this guide, you’re equipped to find, manage, and share your recordings with confidence.
Whether you’re a teacher, a business professional, or just someone who wants to revisit an important conversation, Google Meet makes it easy—once you know where to look.
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