How to Record a Meeting When You're Not the Host
Whether you work with a fully remote team or you're in the office every other day, you probably attend more than 10 virtual meetings each week. While some of them would be better as emails, others are packed with information you'll want to remember.
Maybe your boss schedules all your team meetings and never records them. Or perhaps you're convinced you're going to get fired on your next 1:1—and you want a record of the conversation.
When you aren't the host, recording meetings is often easier said than done. Many tools make this seemingly simple task impossible. Some require in-app permissions, and others need additional audio downloads that you might not notice until it's too late.
Don't worry: there's an easy solution. In this article, we'll cover how to record a meeting with Komodo (even if you aren't the host) and share tips on what not to do so you can avoid unnecessary stress.
Can You Record a Virtual Meeting If You Aren't the Host?
In short, yes. You can record audio or video meetings, even if you're only tuning in as a participant. But there are a few caveats you should know about.
You Need the Organizer's Permission or a Third-Party Tool
The easiest way to record a video call is to be the meeting organizer. When you host meetings, you can enable recording directly in Zoom, Meet, Microsoft Teams, or most other meeting apps.
When you attend video calls as a participant, you typically need the host's permission to use built-in Zoom, Meet, or Teams recording tools. If the host hasn't granted this permission, you need a third-party tool instead.
With the right screen recording tool, you can capture both video and audio, whether the call takes place in the browser or in an app. But you may need some extra software to get the tool to work correctly—which may not be obvious when you go to record.
Many Screen Recording Tools Need Extra Audio Drivers
Not every screen recorder works the way you'd expect. Many require additional audio drivers to record your device's sound.
But you might not know you need to download an extra driver until you record an important meeting, play it back later, and realize you can only hear yourself speaking—which renders the recording useless.
For example, if you neglect to download audio drivers for the Loom desktop app, you'll end up with a one-sided recording. Yet Loom's audio settings are surprisingly easy to miss.
You won't see them unless you open the app's settings, go to the audio tab, and scroll to the bottom of the list. Then, when you attempt to switch on the system audio option, you'll see a popup like the one below.
Don't want to download extra software or just want an app that works automatically? Komodo doesn't require additional drivers to capture system audio. That means you don't have to worry about audio issues or missed opportunities to record important conversations.
You May Need Other Participants' Consent
Before you begin recording virtual meetings, make sure you have the permission you need from other attendees. In some cases, meeting participants must consent before you can record video or audio.
Guidelines for recording audio and video calls vary by country and region. Check the rules for your area to avoid running into privacy concerns or legal issues later.
How to Record a Meeting as a Participant
Komodo can record meetings in a browser or in any other app, even if you aren't the host. Here's a step-by-step guide to using the Komodo desktop app and Chrome extension.
Use the Komodo Desktop App to Record a Meeting
Before the meeting, download and install the Komodo desktop app for macOS or Windows. The desktop app can record any window or app, making it a good choice for recording Zoom meetings or Slack huddles.
After joining the meeting, open the Komodo app. While Komodo automatically records system audio, you'll want to double check that it's selected the microphone you're using for the call.
Once you press record, you'll need to select the screen or window you want to capture. You can record the entire screen (including any external monitor) or focus on the video conferencing app or window only.
Then, focus your attention on the meeting. Komodo will continue capturing audio and video until you stop recording.
Use the Komodo Chrome Extension to Record a Call
Don't want to (or can't) download any software? Install the Komodo Chrome extension instead. Since it can capture any Chrome tab, the extension is a good choice for recording Google Meet calls and other browser-based meetings.
Once you've joined the meeting, click the Komodo Chrome extension and press record. Choose the tab you want to capture, and make sure to toggle the "Also share tab audio" switch.
Note that you also have the option to record an entire Chrome window or multiple browser windows side by side. However, these options don't capture audio, so they're less ideal for recording a meeting.
Just like the desktop app, the Chrome extension will continue recording until you press stop. Komodo doesn't have any time limits, so you can record anything from quick calls to multi-hour meetings.
What to Do After Recording a Meeting With Komodo
When you press stop on the Komodo desktop app or Chrome extension, the recording will open instantly in a new browser tab. Within seconds, you'll see summaries and suggestions generated by Komodo's AI tools.
Here are a few things you can do next:
Update the Title
Want to keep your meeting recordings more organized? Review the AI title suggestion and then accept it as-is, edit it to align with your system, or reject it and keep the existing title.
When you add a relevant title, you make recordings easier to find later. You can locate specific meetings by using Komodo's search function.
Review the Summary
Need a quick breakdown of the topics covered in the meeting? There's no need to take notes in real time.
Instead, refer to the AI-generated summary to get an overview of what everyone discussed on the call. If necessary, edit for accuracy or to add more detail.
Add Tags
Want to find related meetings quickly? Use the AI-generated tags to keep track of common topics and themes. Click to edit, add, or remove the existing tags.
With the right tags, you can easily find other meetings on the same topic. Click on any tag to see a full list of recordings with the same tag.
Make an Action Plan
How can you make the most of what you learned at the meeting? Check the auto-generated list of action items. In addition to listing items discussed in the meeting, Komodo automatically recommends related tasks to help you reach goals more efficiently.
Trim or Edit the Recording
Prefer to cut out some small talk or an off-topic tangent? Use Komodo's video editor to touch up the recording. You can fine-tune the transcript, trim entire sections, and remove awkward pauses.
Share the Recording
Want your colleagues to watch or listen to the conversation? Copy the link to share the recording with anyone within or outside of your organization.
To prevent the recording from being shared widely, check the settings. You can set the link to expire on a certain date or protect the video with a custom password. You can also determine whether viewers have permission to download the video, view attachments, or leave feedback.
Start Recording Meetings With Komodo for Free
Have an important meeting to record? Sign up for Komodo and set up the desktop app or Chrome extension in minutes. Then, capture anything from meetings to presentations to asynchronous messages for your team.
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