Where To Find Microsoft Teams Recordings – Microsoft Teams Recording Location Guide

by

You spend hours in Teams meetings, but when you need the recording later, the save location can feel like a secret. If you have ever asked yourself where to find microsoft teams recordings, you are not alone. The answer depends on a few factors like your license type and how your IT admin configured things. This guide walks you through every possible location, step by step.

Where To Find Microsoft Teams Recordings

Microsoft Teams recordings are stored in two primary places: Microsoft Stream (Classic) or OneDrive and SharePoint, depending on your version. Since early 2021, new recordings go to OneDrive for channel meetings and SharePoint for non-channel meetings. But older recordings might still be in Stream. Let’s break it down.

Check Your Teams Version First

Before searching, know which Teams version you use. Open Teams, click your profile picture, and select “About Teams.” If you see “Microsoft Teams (work or school)” with a version number, you are on the standard version. If you see “Microsoft Teams (free),” recording features are limited. Most business and education users have the full version.

Your IT admin may also have custom policies. Some organizations block recordings or change default save locations. If you cannot find a recording, check with your admin first.

Recording Location For Channel Meetings

When you record a Teams channel meeting, the recording saves to the SharePoint site for that channel. Specifically, it goes into the “Recordings” folder inside the channel’s document library. Here is how to find it:

  1. Open Teams and go to the specific channel where the meeting took place.
  2. Click the “Files” tab at the top of the channel.
  3. Look for a folder named “Recordings.” If you don’t see it, click “More” or scroll down.
  4. Open the folder. The recording file will have a name like “Meeting Name – Date.mp4” or “Recording – Date.mp4.”
  5. Click the file to play it directly in Teams or download it.

If the recording is not there, check the “General” channel’s Files tab. Sometimes recordings default there if the meeting was scheduled in a different channel. Also, verify that the meeting was actually recorded. The organizer or presenter must start the recording manually.

Recording Location For Non-Channel Meetings

For meetings not linked to a channel (like a one-on-one call or a group meeting scheduled from your calendar), the recording saves to the meeting organizer’s OneDrive. Specifically, it goes into a folder called “Recordings” inside the organizer’s “Documents” library. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a web browser and go to OneDrive. Sign in with your work or school account.
  2. In the left sidebar, click “My files” or “Documents.”
  3. Look for a folder named “Recordings.” It may be at the top level or inside a subfolder.
  4. Open the folder. The recording file name includes the meeting title and date.
  5. Click the file to play or download it.

If you are not the organizer, you can still access the recording if the organizer shared it with you. The recording link is often posted in the meeting chat after the meeting ends. Check the chat history for a message from Teams that says “Recording started” or “Recording available.”

Using The Meeting Chat To Find Recordings

The quickest way to find a recording is through the meeting chat. After a meeting ends, Teams automatically posts a link to the recording in the chat. Here is how to use it:

  • Open Teams and go to the “Chat” section on the left sidebar.
  • Find the chat for the specific meeting. It is usually named after the meeting or the participants.
  • Scroll up in the chat history. Look for a message that says “Recording” with a play button or a link.
  • Click the link. It will open the recording in your browser or in the Teams app.

This method works for both channel and non-channel meetings. The link is valid as long as the recording exists. However, if the chat is deleted or the meeting was in a private channel, the link might not appear. In that case, use the OneDrive or SharePoint method above.

Recording Location For Private Channel Meetings

Private channels have their own SharePoint site. Recordings from private channel meetings save to that site’s “Recordings” folder. To find it:

  1. Go to the private channel in Teams.
  2. Click the “Files” tab.
  3. Look for the “Recordings” folder. If you don’t see it, click “Open in SharePoint” at the top right.
  4. In SharePoint, navigate to the “Documents” library and find the “Recordings” folder.
  5. Open the recording file.

Note that only members of the private channel can access the recording. If you are not a member, you will get a permission error. Ask the channel owner to share the file with you.

Recording Location For Microsoft Stream (Classic)

If your organization still uses Microsoft Stream (Classic), recordings might be stored there. Stream (Classic) is the older video service that Teams used before switching to OneDrive and SharePoint. To check:

  • Go to Microsoft Stream and sign in.
  • Click “My content” then “Videos.”
  • Look for the recording in the list. Use the search bar to filter by meeting name or date.
  • If you find it, you can play, download, or share the link.

Stream (Classic) is being phased out. Microsoft plans to migrate all recordings to OneDrive and SharePoint by 2024. If your recording is still in Stream, consider downloading it or moving it to a more permanent location.

How To Access Recordings From The Teams Calendar

Another way to find recordings is through the Teams calendar. This works for scheduled meetings. Here is how:

  1. Open Teams and click the “Calendar” icon on the left sidebar.
  2. Find the meeting in your calendar. It might be in the past, so scroll back or use the date picker.
  3. Click on the meeting to open its details.
  4. Look for a “Recording” tab or a link in the meeting details. Some meetings show a “Play recording” button.
  5. Click it to open the recording.

This method only works if the meeting organizer enabled recording and the recording was saved. If you don’t see the option, the recording might not exist or the link expired.

What If The Recording Is Missing?

Sometimes recordings go missing. Here are common reasons and fixes:

  • Recording was not started: The organizer or presenter must click “Start recording” during the meeting. If they forgot, no recording exists.
  • Recording was deleted: Someone with permission may have deleted the file from OneDrive or SharePoint. Check the recycle bin in those services.
  • Recording is still processing: After the meeting ends, Teams takes time to process the recording. It can take up to 24 hours. Wait and check again.
  • Permission issues: You might not have access to the recording location. Contact the meeting organizer or your IT admin.
  • Storage limits: If the organizer’s OneDrive or SharePoint is full, the recording might fail to save. Ask the organizer to free up space.

If none of these work, try searching for the recording by file name in the Teams search bar. Type the meeting name or date and see if it appears in the results.

How To Download A Teams Recording

Downloading a recording is useful for offline viewing or sharing. Here are the steps:

  1. Find the recording using one of the methods above (OneDrive, SharePoint, Stream, or chat link).
  2. Open the recording in your browser or the Teams app.
  3. Look for a “Download” button. In OneDrive or SharePoint, it is usually at the top of the video player. In Stream, click the three dots (More options) and select “Download original video.”
  4. Click the button and save the file to your computer. The file format is MP4.

Note that some organizations disable downloading for security reasons. If you don’t see the download option, ask your IT admin for permission.

How To Share A Teams Recording

Sharing a recording is simple once you know where it is. Here are the best ways:

  • Share a link: In OneDrive or SharePoint, click the file, then click “Share” at the top. Copy the link and send it to others. Set permissions (view or edit) as needed.
  • Share from Stream: In Stream (Classic), click the three dots on the video and select “Share.” Copy the link or embed code.
  • Share from Teams chat: If the recording link is in the meeting chat, you can forward that message to other people.

Be careful with permissions. If you share a link with “Anyone with the link,” people outside your organization can access it. Use “Specific people” for sensitive meetings.

Recording Location For Teams On Mobile

If you use Teams on a mobile device, finding recordings works differently. The recording is not stored on your phone. Instead, you access it through the app:

  • Open the Teams mobile app.
  • Go to the “Chat” tab and find the meeting chat.
  • Look for the recording link in the chat history. Tap it to open the recording in your browser or the app.
  • Alternatively, go to the “Calendar” tab, tap the past meeting, and look for the recording option.

You cannot download recordings directly from the mobile app. You need to use a desktop or web browser for that.

Recording Location For Teams Live Events

Teams Live Events are different from regular meetings. Recordings from live events save to the event organizer’s OneDrive or SharePoint, depending on the event type. Here is how to find them:

  1. Go to the Teams admin center or the event page.
  2. Look for a “Recording” tab or link.
  3. If not there, check the organizer’s OneDrive “Recordings” folder.
  4. For large events, the recording might be in a dedicated SharePoint site set up by your IT team.

Live event recordings are often large files. They may take longer to process. Contact your IT admin if you cannot find them.

How To Change The Recording Save Location

By default, you cannot change where Teams saves recordings. The location is determined by your Microsoft 365 license and admin settings. However, you can move or copy recordings after they are saved:

  • In OneDrive or SharePoint, select the recording file and click “Move to” or “Copy to.”
  • Choose a new folder or location. This does not affect the original link in Teams chat.
  • If you move the file, the original link might break. Inform meeting participants of the new location.

Some organizations use third-party tools to manage recordings. Check with your IT admin for specific policies.

Common Mistakes When Finding Recordings

Many users make these errors. Avoid them to save time:

  • Looking in the wrong place: Channel recordings are not in OneDrive. Non-channel recordings are not in SharePoint. Know which type you have.
  • Expecting recordings instantly: Processing takes time. Wait at least 30 minutes after the meeting ends.
  • Ignoring the chat link: The chat link is the fastest way. Check it first.
  • Forgetting about permissions: If you are not the organizer, you may need access granted.

If you still cannot find the recording, try searching for the meeting name in the global search bar at the top of Teams. It sometimes shows recordings in the results.

FAQ: Where To Find Microsoft Teams Recordings

1. Where do Teams recordings go by default?
For channel meetings, they go to the SharePoint site for that channel. For non-channel meetings, they go to the organizer’s OneDrive. Both are in a “Recordings” folder.

2. Can I find a Teams recording if I was not the organizer?
Yes, if the organizer shared the recording with you. Check the meeting chat for a link. You can also ask the organizer to share the file from OneDrive or SharePoint.

3. How long are Teams recordings kept?
By default, recordings are kept for 120 days in OneDrive and SharePoint. After that, they are moved to the recycle bin and deleted after 93 days. Your admin can change these settings.

4. Why can’t I see the recording in OneDrive?
You might be looking in the wrong OneDrive account. Only the meeting organizer’s OneDrive has the recording. Also, check the “Recordings” folder inside “Documents.”

5. Do Teams recordings expire?
Yes, recordings have an expiration date set by your admin. After expiration, the recording is deleted. You can download it before that to keep it permanently.

Now you know exactly where to find microsoft teams recordings. Whether it is in OneDrive, SharePoint, Stream, or the meeting chat, you can locate any recording quickly. Bookmark this guide for the next time you need to find a recording. If you still have issues, contact your IT support team for help specific to your organization.