Understanding Google Hangouts Video Call Recordings: What You Need to Know

When it comes to Google Hangouts (now known as Google Meet), many users wonder whether video calls are automatically saved and how to access recordings. In this article, we will clarify the situation and provide useful information about how and where Google Hangouts recordings can or cannot be saved.

Do Google Hangouts Video Calls Get Saved Automatically?

It's important to note that Google Hangouts video calls themselves are not automatically saved or recorded by the platform. However, if either yourself or another participant records the call manually using a screen recording tool, the recording can be saved and accessed later. This is something you or the host should activate separately if needed.

Google Meet: Automated Recordings and Storage

Google Meet, which has replaced Google Hangouts for video calls, introduces a different approach. If the meeting host has the recording feature enabled, Google Meet recordings can be saved to Google Drive. In this case, the host has access to the recording in their Google Drive.

Is There Any Other Way Google Saves Data from Hangouts Conversations?

For Hangouts, Google does not save full video calls automatically. However, what is shared within the Hangouts chat, such as pictures and GIFs, is indeed saved. According to Google's privacy policy, even if these are stored in your Album Archive, they are not entirely safe from viewing. This means that 'old school G Gmail' Hangout users can still find and access shared images even if they are archived.

Recording and Storage by Other Participants

It's also worth noting that if someone in the video call records the session using their own screen recording tool, you might not be able to find the recording in Google Drive or any official archive. Individuals can freely create and save these recordings without the need for official permissions from the group or host.

Deleting Recordings

If you decide you no longer want a particular recording to be stored, you have the option to delete it from both the Google Drive and Album Archive. This is a simple process that can be done by the host or the individual who saved the recording.

Conclusion

While Google Hangouts (and Google Meet) do not automatically save full video call recordings on their platform, there are ways to save recordings manually. Participants have the option to record and store the call themselves, and hosts can do the same. Additionally, any shared content within the chat, like images and videos, are archived and can be accessed through your Album Archive. However, it's advisable to be cautious about what you share, as even archived content may not be entirely private.

Keywords

Google Hangouts, Video Call Recordings, Google Meet, Chat Archives

About the Author

This article was written by a seasoned SEO expert from Google, aiming to provide detailed and accurate information to help users understand and manage their video call recordings more effectively.