An MP3 of a meeting is easier to listen to on a commute, share with someone who missed the call, or feed into a transcription tool. This guide covers where each platform keeps its recordings, how to convert them, what settings make sense for spoken audio, and how to handle files that are too big.
Before you start: permission and privacy
Only record and share meetings you're allowed to. Most platforms notify participants when a recording starts, but sharing an audio file afterwards is a separate decision. If the meeting included clients, students or colleagues, check your organisation's policy before you send the MP3 around.
Where are Zoom recordings saved?
Zoom has two kinds of recordings, and they live in different places.
Local recordings
When you record to your computer, Zoom converts the recording after the meeting ends and saves it in a folder named after the meeting date and topic. By default that folder sits in:
- Windows: `Documents\Zoom`
- Mac: `Documents/Zoom`
You can check or change the location in the Zoom desktop app under Settings > Recording. Inside the meeting folder you'll usually find an MP4 video file and, depending on your settings, an audio-only M4A file.
If Zoom shows a "converting" message when the meeting ends, let it finish. Closing the app too early can leave you with files that won't play.
Cloud recordings
Cloud recordings (available on paid Zoom plans) are stored in your Zoom account. Sign in to the Zoom web portal, open Recordings, choose the meeting and download the files you need. The audio-only file is the smallest option if it's offered.
Where are Microsoft Teams recordings saved?
Teams meeting recordings are saved as MP4 files in Microsoft's cloud storage:
- Channel meetings: in the channel's SharePoint site, inside a Recordings folder.
- Other meetings: in the OneDrive of the person who started the recording, also inside a Recordings folder.
Open the recording from the meeting chat or from OneDrive/SharePoint and use Download. If you don't see a download option, the organiser or your IT admin may have restricted it.
Where are Google Meet recordings saved?
Google Meet saves recordings to the organiser's Google Drive, in a folder called Meet Recordings. The organiser also gets an email with a link. Open the file in Drive and choose Download to get the MP4.
How to convert the recording to MP3
- Open the MP3 converter in your browser.
- Pick the recording file. For an MP4 you can also use MP4 to MP3; for Zoom's audio-only file, use M4A to MP3.
- Choose 128 kbps. Speech doesn't benefit from higher bitrates.
- Click Convert to MP3 and wait for the progress bar.
- Click Download MP3. It lands in your Downloads folder.
Convertola keeps the first audio track of a video and drops the picture. Files can be up to 150 MB, one at a time.
Which file should you convert?
| File you have | What to do |
|---|---|
| Zoom audio-only M4A | Convert it directly; it's the smallest starting point |
| Zoom, Teams or Meet MP4 | Convert it; the video is discarded and only the audio is kept |
| A screen recording of the meeting | Same as any MP4 or MOV; see screen recording to MP3 |
How big will the MP3 be?
MP3 size depends on bitrate and length, not on how many people were in the call:
| Meeting length | MP3 at 128 kbps | MP3 at 192 kbps |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | about 28.8 MB | about 43.2 MB |
| 1 hour | about 57.6 MB | about 86.4 MB |
| 90 minutes | about 86.4 MB | about 129.6 MB |
The numbers come from bitrate × seconds ÷ 8. For more on how bitrate affects size and quality, see the MP3 bitrate guide.
What if the recording is larger than 150 MB?
Long meetings recorded as video can easily go past 150 MB. You have a few options:
- Use the audio-only file if your platform produced one (Zoom often does). It's much smaller than the MP4.
- Trim the video first. Cut the waiting room, the small talk before the start or the part after everyone left. On Windows, the Photos/Clipchamp tools can trim; on a Mac, QuickTime Player has Edit > Trim.
- Split the recording into two parts and convert each one.
- Use a desktop tool such as VLC or Audacity for very long files. Our guides for Windows and Mac cover those options.
Making meeting audio easier to listen to
Conversion doesn't change how the audio sounds, but a few habits help:
- Ask people to mute when they're not talking. Background noise is the biggest problem in meeting audio.
- Use headphones with a microphone if you host often; built-in laptop mics pick up keyboard noise.
- Keep the original in case you need the video or better quality later.
- Name the MP3 clearly, for example `2026-10-27 product review.mp3`, so it's easy to find.
If the MP3 is too quiet, raise the volume afterwards in an audio editor such as Audacity.
Using the MP3 for transcription
Many transcription tools accept MP3 and process it faster than video. A 128 kbps MP3 is more than enough for speech recognition. Before uploading a meeting to any online transcription service, check how that service handles and stores your files, especially for confidential calls.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| The Zoom folder is empty | The recording may still be converting, or it went to the cloud instead |
| The MP4 won't open | The recording didn't finish converting; reopen Zoom and let it complete |
| No download button in Teams | Downloads may be restricted; ask the organiser |
| The MP3 is silent | The recording had no audio track, or the first track is empty |
| The file is too big | Use the audio-only file, trim it or split it |
Frequently asked questions
Can Zoom record audio only?
Zoom can save an audio-only M4A file alongside the video for local and cloud recordings, depending on your settings. Convert that file to MP3 if you need maximum compatibility.
Is it safe to convert a confidential meeting online?
With Convertola the file is converted in your browser and isn't uploaded to a server. With other online tools, check whether files are uploaded and how long they're kept.
What bitrate should I use for a meeting recording?
128 kbps. Speech sounds the same at higher bitrates, and the file stays small.
How do I convert a Teams recording to MP3?
Download the MP4 from OneDrive or SharePoint, then convert it with an MP4 to MP3 converter.
Can I convert a meeting recording on my phone?
Yes, if you can download the recording to your phone. Open the converter in your mobile browser and pick the file.
Why is my Zoom recording a .zoom file?
That usually means the conversion step didn't finish after the meeting. Opening the Zoom desktop app on the same computer generally lets it complete the conversion into MP4.
Sources
- Zoom Support, Finding and viewing local recordings
- Microsoft Learn, Teams meeting recording
- Google Meet Help, Record a video meeting
- MDN Web Docs, Web audio codec guide
Got the recording? Turn it into audio with the Convertola MP3 converter.
