Google Meet is great, but let’s get real – the platform’s recording limitations SUCK. If you’re tired of messing around with Admin permissions, or just want a faster and more effective way to share recorded calls, we’re going to let you in on some secrets.
For starters: you can record your Google Meet calls, presentations and meetings in seconds for FREE with tl;dv – a Google Chrome Extension. Yup, you can totally skip upgrading to G Suite if recording calls is the only functionality you’re after.
The extension only takes only seconds to install and is super easy to use. A bot will join your Google Meet when you’re ready to record – no admin permissions needed. Then, once your call has finished, you’ll get the crisp recording and transcript moments later.
With your tl;dv Google Meet recording, you can timestamp key moments, edit the video and easily share clips across platforms. You won’t bump into any privacy issues, because the tl;dv bot is transparent and visible to everyone in the call.
Did we mention it’s free?
@tldv.io Whoever the blackshirt manager is. He’s a numpty #workfromhome #missedmeetings #asynch ♬ original sound – tldv.io
Besides our own tool, which we’re pretty proud about, we’re going to show all other possible ways of recording a Google Meet call quickly. Let’s get to it!
Google Meet Recording Guide
Recording a Google Meet: FAQs and Basics
If you’re wondering specifically how to record Google Meet without permission, we have an excellent guide that will show you the top solutions. To be clear – recording a Google Meet call without permission refers to the ability to record even if you do not pay for a G Suite plan. Basically, unless you or your organization is paying for a premium plan, the all-important Recording function is totally off-limits.
Recording calls without participant’s knowledge is a whole other ball park, and potentially illegal. You must always gain the permission of all attendees in the online meetings before you hit that ‘Record’ button. For the sake of transparency, we advise avoiding screen recorders. Opt instead for a classic meeting recorder that everyone can see and consent to.
Recording a Google Meet on PC or even mobile isn’t difficult. A common way is to use a Google meet screen recording. The problem, as mentioned above, is that you can run into compliance and privacy issueswith screen recording tools such as Loom. It’s usually illegal to record calls without participant’s explicit permission and knowledge – so a transparent meeting recorder is a much better option.
The most popular third-party recording solution is the award-winning and totally free Google Meet recorder called tl;dv. You install this tool as a Chrome extension, after which it can immediately start recording any G Meet call with super crisp quality. The recorder is visible to everyone. PLUS, the extension provides a complimentary speaker-recognition transcript
There is absolutely a way to record Google Meet calls legally! However, some methods of recording G Meets are not legal. Using screen recording apps can land you into legal troubles and result in hefty fines. This is because such apps are typically not GDPR compliant. Recorded meetings can definitely be classified as personal information. I mean, I think we can all agree work meetings tend to be pretty confidential right?
Legality aside, there are serious moral issues that arise from recording a call with the knowldge of participants. When you record any meeting where other members present, the only possible way to ethically do so is by gaining their consent. Ideally, your meeting recorder of choice will be visible to everyone throughout the entire call.
In short, Google Meet recordings are only illegal when the recorder does not comply with the GDPR rules and when consent is not gained from meeting participants. Use a totally transparent and trusted meeting recorder like tl;dv to avoid any issues.
Follow the steps for easy Google meet recordings with tl;dv
- Step 1: Add the chrome extension to your browser, and you will be redirected to the extension page automatically once installed.
- Step 2: Begin your Google Meet session and click on start recording. The tl;dv bot will join you in the meeting as a participant.
- Step 3: As the meeting commences, the tl;dv bot will record and transcribe every second with SSL encrypted recordings.
Step 4: Once the meeting is over, you will receive an email with the transcript and recordings as the tl;dv registered.
Another query most frequent users of video conferencing platforms ask is about where do google meet recordings go. It is not an issue with just 3rd party software systems; most people are unable to find their meeting recordings even in the platform they use.
Using tl;dv makes the process of finding and storing your meeting data safe and secure. You get direct access to your recordings, and the software follows all DGPR compliances.
There are 2 places where you can find your meeting recordings when using tl;dv:
Check your registered email
Shortly after the meeting, you will receive an email from tl;dv. All of the highlights are included in this email, along with a link to the whole recording and transcript. Please be aware that this email may take a few minutes to arrive because meeting files are typically huge – and the software needs to process them.
Look into your tl;dv account
All of your tl;dv meetings are linked to the email address you used during the meeting. You can access your previous meetings by logging into tl;dv with that email address.
Google’s premium web conferencing service was made publicly available a few months ago. If you’re already a Google user, it’s tightly connected with the rest of your apps, such as Chat, and it communicates with your Calendar. It also operates on all platforms and the web with no installations or security concerns.
However, those on older G Suite accounts who have not yet been upgraded to the newer Google Workspace plans will continue to be unable to use the recording capability within Google Meet. And if you haven’t used it in the last six months, most probably, your Google Meet has no record option.
There are multiple tools available in the market that assist in recording Google Meet sessions. However, the top 2 are: tl;dv & OBS.
Every corporate professional understands the importance of meeting minutes. Earlier, due to a lack of technology, recording minutes meant jotting down points physically or on an MS Word 2010 version. However, with changing times and video conferencing becoming part and parcel of corporate life, numerous software technologies are here to assist.
Now that we have understood the concept of how to record a Google Meet, it is equally important to recognize the importance of doing so.
Here’s why a Google Meet recording is the best way to establish accurate minutes and solid proof.
- It is more convenient
Undoubtedly, the most important part of recording Google Meet sessions is that it is more convenient. Not only to the person assigned to take down minutes but also the entire team present there. There will be no interruption for repeating what was said already.
- Saves more time
Without interruption and constant queries, the meeting will proceed faster, and everyone will get to address their query or doubt with the board members.
- Nothing is missed out
It is practically impossible for anyone to note down any non-verbal actions in a meeting which often play an important role in the meeting. By arranging for a Google Meet recording, you get to record every little aspect of the meeting, and nothing is gone unnoticed.
- Solid factual evidence
If your meeting is full of details and you’d like to keep them safe, recording is the best option to go for. In case you wish to share the meeting minutes with potential investors and shareholders, a saved recording allows you to easily do so.
How to record a Google Meet in seconds: 4 methods
Method 1: Record your Google Meet with tl;dv
tl;dv empowers teams to record, transcribe and timestamp their Google Meets easily. To record your Google Meet, simply invite the tl;dv bot into your online meeting. When you’re in the call and ready to record, click that ‘Record and Transcribe’ button.
You’ll notice a text box pops up. Here, you and anyone else in the meeting can type meeting notes which then become clickable timestamps. Timestamps make it super easy for anyone to catch up on the key call moments at a later point. You can also edit out small clips from the recording, if you’d rather share bite-size meeting insights.
The Google Meet recording will appear in your tl;dv library, alongside any Zoom recordings you may have. You can easily search your past calls using keywords. Oh, and if you have meetings in different languages, rest assured the transcript function supports 25+ major languages. Pretty sweet, right?
Finally, there’s the Pro version for those who want to take their Google Meet game to the next level. The moment you upgrade from the free version of tl;dv, you’ll get smooth integrations that let you push meeting moments into CRMs, IMs and documentation tools. Want to download Google Meet video? tl;dv Pro lets you do that too.
Let’s take a look at what a Google Meet looks like with tl;dv.
Method 2: Screen recording tools
Another way to record meetings is to use a screen recorder. Common tools include Loom, ScreenCastify, and ScreenApp.
It must be noted that recording meetings with screen recordings has the potential to run into privacy or GDPR issues, as there are many different rules globally about screen recordings. A best practise is to always make obtain conscent to record by everyone in the Google Meet meeting.
Method 3: Google Meet transcription tools
Maybe you’d like to only record the audio, or perhaps get a transcription? Then you’re in luck, because there is a lot more option in that department. Here are some of our faves!
tl;dv - instant Google Meet transcription
When you record your meeting with tl;dv, you also get an instant meeting trancription. So, you can catch up in meeting in minutes via the video, transcription or our timestamps! Install the free Google Chrome Extension here.
Otter.ai
Otter is a very popular meeting transcription tool for those who only want a meeting transcription without the recording.
Method 4: Use Google Meet's own caption function
There are a lot of 3rd party transcription tools available, such as Gong, Chorus and Fireflies. However, have you considered using Google Meet’s own native live captioning function? Perhaps you want to layer this functionality on top of your Google Meet recording or transcription. According to Google Meet live captions are available globally in English. For other languages, they’ve limited it according to region:
If you are located in the Asia Pacific or European region, you can use captions in: English, French, Spanish (Mexico), German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain).
If you are located in North America or Latin America, you can use captions in: German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Mexico).
Google Meet’s instructions on how to enable live captioning are:
- On your computer, go to Google Meet.
- Join a video call.
- At the bottom, click Turn on captions
or Turn off captions
.
Which are the Best Google Meet meetings to record?
Here’s our quick list of the best Google Meet meetings to record. Where applicable, we’ve linked what a recorded meeting of that type would look like!
Recruitment and HR - best Google Meets to record
- Cultural interview – this is excellent to share with the team.
- Competancy interview
- First round interview
- Post hiring onboarding meetings – by recording these meetings you give your new candidate the chance to review critical information discussed during onboarding!
Sales - best Google Meets to record
- Panel discussions and manager strategies
- Employee inputs and new ideas
- Sales growth infographics
- Company goals
- Employee retention
- Client satisfaction and response
Customer Success – best Google Meets to record
- Customer interviews – through recording these meetings, you can share and maximize the insights gained from customer interviews.
- Team meetings and syncs
- Customer succcess workshops
- Customer onboarding sessions – be recording these you give your customer’s the chance to review important information.
Product and Dev - best Google Meets to record
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UX - best Google Meets to record
- User interviews
- Customer interviews
- Research sessions and usability testings.
- Design workshops
- Team meetings, syncs, retros, and sprints.
Final thoughts on how to record a Google Meet meeting in seconds!
Google meet has no record option in-built. You can opt to record your Google Meet with the tl;dv Google Chrome extension, or your can transcribe your meetings with some of the tools mentioned above. Alternatively, you can activate Google Meet’s native live captioning service too!
We’ve discussed compliance and privacy above a few times, however, as it is an important topic, we wanted to conclude with this point again.
Google Meet recordings are gaining more and more prominence; however, doing so with screen recording apps can become a GDPR compliance risk.
In general, we always encourage people to let everybody in the meeting know they’re being recorded or the meeting is being transcribed and to seek permission to do so.
