Hey there! Do you ever hang up from an important Zoom meeting only to realize you failed to record it? Don‘t sweat it – recording Zoom calls directly on your iPhone couldn‘t be simpler.
Whether you want to save work meetings to refer back to later or just want to preserve special moments with friends and family, this guide will teach you two easy ways to record Zoom meetings on iPhone.
I‘ll provide detailed steps to record as a host using Zoom‘s cloud recording feature or as a participant using your iPhone‘s built-in screen recorder.
Let‘s dive in!
How to Record Zoom Meetings as the Host
If you‘re the host of a Zoom meeting, you can record the call and save it directly to Zoom‘s cloud storage. This is by far the easiest way to capture your meetings with HD quality audio and video.
However, Zoom does require you to have a paid account to use cloud recording:
| Zoom Plan | Cloud Recording |
|---|---|
| Basic (free) | :x: No |
| Pro | ✅ Yes |
| Business | ✅ Yes |
| Enterprise | ✅ Yes |
| Education | ✅ Yes |
Here are the step-by-step instructions to record meetings as host:
Step 1: Start a new Zoom meeting
Open the Zoom app on your iPhone and sign in to your account. Tap "New Meeting" at the bottom to initiate a new call.
You can also schedule a meeting ahead of time by tapping "Schedule" instead. But for now, let‘s start an instant meeting.
You‘ll join the meeting immediately as the host. Go ahead and invite other participants to join as you normally would.
Step 2: Click "Record" once all participants have joined
Once your meeting is underway and all attendees have joined the call, tap "More" in the bottom toolbar to expand additional in-meeting options.
Next, tap the "Record" icon to begin recording the meeting to Zoom‘s cloud.
You‘ll see a small red icon that says "Recording" at the top of your screen to confirm it is recording.
Step 3: Stop recording when finished
When you‘re ready to end the recording, tap on "Recording" at the top toolbar again and select "Stop".
If you just want to pause the recording, choose "Pause" instead.
Once stopped, Zoom will process and upload the recording to their cloud servers. This may take a few minutes for short meetings or a few hours for long meetings.
You can access your cloud recordings from the "Meetings" tab in your Zoom account portal online.
Recording Zoom Meetings on iPhone as a Participant
Don‘t have a paid Zoom account? No worries – you can still record meetings as a participant using your iPhone‘s built-in screen recording feature.
While not as full-featured as Zoom‘s cloud recording, this is a decent alternative that lets you capture any meeting right from your iPhone.
Here‘s how to do it:
Step 1: Enable Screen Recording
First, make sure screen recording is enabled on your iPhone. Open the Settings app and go to:
Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls
Tap the green "+" icon next to "Screen Recording" to add it if it‘s not already there.
This adds a Screen Recording shortcut icon to your Control Center.
Step 2: Join the Zoom meeting
Next, open the Zoom app and join the meeting just like you normally would.
Once you‘ve joined as a participant, you‘re ready to start recording.
Step 3: Swipe down and tap "Start Recording"
When you want to begin recording, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center.
Find and tap the Screen Recording icon to start capturing your iPhone‘s screen. A 3-second countdown will appear before it starts recording.
The recording will capture all audio playing through your iPhone, so make sure to mute notifications or other sounds.
Step 4: Stop recording when done
Once you want to end the recording, simply open Control Center again and tap the Screen Recording button.
Your video will be saved directly to the Photos app where you can view, edit, and share it.
While this method works for any Zoom meeting, it does record your entire iPhone screen instead of just Zoom. Make sure to close any other apps and mute notifications first.
Comparing Recording Methods: Host vs. Participant
| Host Recording | Screen Recording | |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Account Required | Paid | Free or Paid |
| Storage Location | Zoom cloud | iPhone storage |
| Video Quality | Up to HD 1080p | Max iPhone resolution |
| Audio Quality | Excellent | Good |
| Ease of Use | Very easy | Easy |
| Captures | Only Zoom app | Entire screen |
As you can see, recording as the host provides better quality and a simpler workflow. But screen recording works great as a participant or if you don‘t have a paid Zoom account.
Tips for Recording High Quality Zoom Meetings
Follow these tips to ensure your Zoom recordings turn out crystal clear:
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Charge your iPhone fully – Recording drains battery quicker, so start with 100% charge. Even better, plug into a charger during long calls.
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Use wired headphones – This provides cleaner audio input compared to speakerphone or Bluetooth.
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Adjust Zoom settings – Under Video Settings, bump quality up to HD 1080p resolution for crisper video.
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Clean the camera lens – Wipe the front and back camera with a microfiber cloth before recording.
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Use optimal lighting – Face a window or use indoor lighting to properly illuminate yourself on camera.
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Disable notifications – Pause or mute any apps that could cause disruptive notifications during a recording.
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Close other apps – Don‘t multitask. Recording uses more system resources for best performance.
Legal Considerations for Recording Zoom Meetings
Before recording any meeting, it‘s important to understand the legal implications. Laws vary depending on your state or country, but here are some general guidelines:
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If you are the host, inform all participants that you will be recording. Get their consent.
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If you are a participant, ask the host for permission to record.
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Only record meetings you are invited to. Public meetings are generally legal. Private meetings require all party consent.
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Understand your company policies. Some prohibit employee recordings without approval.
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Recording without permission could violate wiretapping or privacy laws. Penalties can include fines or jail time in some regions.
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Consult an attorney if you are unsure of the laws for your specific circumstances.
The safest approach is to notify all parties in a meeting that you will be recording and get their consent first. Never record secretly or illegally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about recording Zoom meetings on iPhone:
Can you record a password protected Zoom meeting?
Yes, entering the meeting password allows you to join normally as a participant. You can then record using the iPhone screen recorder.
Where are iPhone recordings saved?
Cloud recordings save to your Zoom account online. Local iPhone recordings save to the Photos app.
Can the host tell if you are recording?
Zoom shows the host which participants are recording locally. So they can detect if you record without permission.
Does Zoom offer unlimited cloud recordings?
All paid Zoom plans (except Basic) offer unlimited recordings. Each can be up to 12 hours long.
Can you record the audio only?
Zoom‘s cloud recording captures both audio and video. With an iPhone you can only record the full screen – there is no audio-only option.
What is the best iPhone for recording Zoom meetings?
Any iPhone that supports iOS 12 or later will work, including iPhone 5S and newer. Newer models like iPhone 11 or 12 have better cameras and mics which improves recording quality.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a complete guide to recording Zoom meetings on your iPhone!
Using Zoom‘s built-in cloud recording as the host provides the simplest workflow and best quality. But you can also leverage the iPhone‘s screen recorder if you don‘t control the meeting.
Now you can capture important meetings to reference later or share with colleagues who missed it. Just be sure to inform participants and get the necessary permissions first.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help explainers on Zoom and iPhone. Stay safe out there.