How to Download a Teams Recording: A Comprehensive Guide

Accessing and locating your Teams recording

Teams recording in chat history can be accessed through the meeting chat or OneDrive. Teams recordings can be found in the recorder's OneDrive for regular meetings or in the channel's SharePoint for channel meetings. Users can download Teams recordings from the meeting chat or use Microsoft Stream to download. Teams recordings in chat history are available, but recordings auto-expire after 120 days unless changed by admin policies. Teams recording files can also be accessed through OneDrive.

In short

Download Teams recordings from the meeting chat or OneDrive. Find Teams recording files in the recorder's OneDrive for regular meetings or in the channel's SharePoint for channel meetings. Access Teams recordings in chat history or use Microsoft Stream to download. Recordings auto-expire after 120 days unless changed by admin policies.

How to download a Teams recording

Through meeting chat

• Recent recordings: Find the Teams recording file link in the meeting chat immediately after the meeting
• Chat history: Scroll through the Teams recording in chat history to locate older recording links
• Click the Download button next to the Teams recording file to save it locally

Through OneDrive

• Regular meetings: Teams recording files are stored in the OneDrive account of the user who initiated the recording
• Channel meetings: Teams recording files are saved in the SharePoint site of the channel
• Navigate to your OneDrive and look for a folder named "Recordings" or similar to download Teams recordings

Through SharePoint (for channel meetings)

• Go to the Teams channel > Files tab > Look for the Teams recording file
• Select the file and click Download to save the Teams recording

Retention and expiration of Teams recordings

Default retention

• Teams meeting recordings automatically expire after 120 days by default
• This retention period can be changed by administrators using the Recordings automatically expire policy in the Teams admin center

Custom retention policies

• Administrators can set custom retention policies using Microsoft Purview to comply with organizational needs
• Retention policies take precedence over meeting expiration settings for Teams recording files

Downloading and sharing Teams recordings

From Teams

• Open the meeting chat, find the Teams recording in chat history, and click the Download button
• For recordings older than 20 days, access may be limited if not moved to OneDrive

From OneDrive/SharePoint

• Navigate to the Teams recording file location, select the recording, and choose Download
• Use the Share option to generate a link for others to access the Teams recording file

Microsoft Stream integration for Teams recordings

Accessing recordings in Stream

• Click the recording ellipses > Open in Microsoft Stream to view and manage the Teams recording file
• In Stream, use the Videos dropdown under My Content to find saved meeting recordings
• Use Microsoft Stream download options to save Teams recordings locally

Adding Stream to Teams

• Add a Stream tab to a Teams channel by clicking + tab > Stream > paste the channel link

Teams recording transcript

• Access the Teams recording transcript through Microsoft Stream or directly in Teams
• Use the transcript for searching specific content within the Teams recording file

Step-by-step guide to downloading Teams recordings

To download Teams recordings, access them from the meeting chat or OneDrive. Click the three-dot menu next to the recording, select "Download", and choose a save location. Download Teams recordings easily using this method. Recordings are available for 20 days in Teams before moving to OneDrive for long-term storage.

Downloading Teams recordings

From the meeting chat

• Access the meeting chat: Open Microsoft Teams and navigate to the chat tab or channel where the meeting occurred to download the Teams recording
• Locate the recording: Find the recording link in the chat history to save Teams meeting recording
• Open the recording: Click on the recording link to open it in a new window
• Download the file:
  • Click the three-dot menu icon next to the recording to export Teams recording
  • Select "Download" or "Save as" to download original video Teams
  • Choose a file location on your device
  • Click "Save" to complete the download Teams video process

From OneDrive

• Access OneDrive: Go to OneDrive through the Office 365 web portal to download Teams recording
• Navigate to Recordings: Click on "Recordings" under "My files"
• Select the recording: Find and click on the desired recording
• Download the file:
  • Click the "Download" button or use the three-dot menu to select "Download" to save Teams meeting recording

Alternative methods

• Teams calendar: Double-click the meeting in your Teams calendar, then click the "Recording" button to download Teams video
• Email link: Check your email for a message with the subject "Recording available" and follow the link to download Teams recording

Important considerations

• Time limit: Recordings are retained in Teams for only 20 days before moving to OneDrive or being deleted
• Permissions: Ensure you have the right permissions to access and download recordings
• Storage space: Create a dedicated folder and ensure sufficient storage on your device for large recordings when you download a Teams recording
• Confidentiality: Be mindful of sensitive information in recordings and follow organizational policies when you export Teams recording

Accessibility features

• Transcripts: Download transcripts by selecting "Download Transcript" from the three-dot menu when you download original video Teams
• Captions: Enable captions or transcriptions during meetings for accessibility
• Playback options: Recordings can be watched at slower or faster speeds after you download Teams video

Tips for managing and sharing downloaded Teams recordings

Teams recordings can be downloaded as MP4 files to your computer for local management. To download a Teams recording as an MP4, access the recording in Teams or SharePoint and select the download option. Share Teams recordings securely using OneDrive links or by uploading to approved cloud storage. Implement retention policies and access controls to manage recordings effectively, including Teams live event recordings. How to download a Teams recording involves accessing the recording file and selecting the download option within the Teams interface or SharePoint site.

Managing Teams recordings

Downloading recordings

• Download Teams recording as MP4: Meeting recordings are stored in OneDrive and can be downloaded as MP4 files to your local computer for easier management
• Automatic expiration: By default, recordings expire and are deleted after a set period, but transcriptions remain
• Access via Teams: To download a Teams recording, access it through the Teams chat for the meeting or the meeting calendar invite

Retention and management

• Retention labels: Use retention labels to automatically delete meeting recordings, including Teams live event recordings, after a specified period
• Teams Meeting Policy: Assign policies to control who can create recordings and transcriptions
• Manual deletion: Meeting organizers can manually delete transcripts, but this doesn't prevent prior downloads of Teams recordings as MP4 files

Security considerations

• Encryption: Teams uses multi-layer encryption for data protection, including TLS for data in transit and AES for data at rest
• Access control: Implement granular access control to fine-tune user access when you share Teams recordings and other sensitive data
• Third-party app risks: Be cautious with third-party app integrations, as they may introduce additional security risks when managing or sharing Teams recordings

Sharing Teams recordings

Secure sharing methods

• OneDrive links: Share Teams recordings using OneDrive links with appropriate permissions set
• Approved cloud storage: Upload recordings, including Teams live event recordings, to approved cloud storage platforms with proper security measures
• Direct email: For smaller files, consider sharing via direct email to known recipients after you download Teams recording to computer

Best practices for sharing

• Limit access: Restrict access to recordings by using Teams channel permissions and meeting options when you share Teams recordings
• Educate users: Train employees on best practices for handling and sharing sensitive recordings, including how to download a Teams recording securely
• Regular audits: Conduct periodic reviews of shared recordings to ensure compliance with security policies

Managing storage and compliance

• Data retention policies: Implement data retention policies to automatically delete recordings, including Teams live event recordings, after a specified period
• Storage management: Regularly review and manage storage to prevent overcrowding and ensure efficient use of resources when you download Teams recording to computer
• Compliance monitoring: Use Teams' built-in analytics and monitoring tools to track usage and ensure compliance when managing and sharing Teams recordings

FAQ

How do I find a Teams recording after the meeting?

You can find Teams recordings in the meeting chat, the recorder's OneDrive for regular meetings, or the channel's SharePoint for channel meetings. Check the chat history or navigate to the appropriate storage location.

Can I download a Teams recording if I wasn't the organizer?

Yes, if you have the necessary permissions. The organizer or recorder can share the recording link, allowing others to download it from the meeting chat or OneDrive/SharePoint.

What file format are Teams recordings downloaded in?

Teams recordings are typically downloaded as MP4 files. This format is widely compatible with most video players and devices.

Is it possible to download both video and transcript from a Teams recording?

Yes, you can download both the video and transcript separately. Access the recording in Teams or Stream, then use the options to download the video and transcript individually.

How long are Teams recordings available for download?

By default, Teams recordings auto-expire after 120 days unless changed by admin policies. However, they may be available in OneDrive or SharePoint for longer periods depending on organizational settings.