How to record a Google Meet call for free with the desktop app
Google Meet’s own recording needs an eligible paid plan and the right role in the call. Here is the free desktop-app workflow, step by step.
Can you record with Google Meet itself?
Only on some plans. Google lists Business Standard, Business Plus, the Enterprise editions, Essentials, Workspace Individual, some Education licences and Google One with 2 TB or more. An admin has to turn recording on, and usually only the host, a co-host or someone in the host’s organisation can press Record. On a free Gmail account the Record button is not there.
The free way: the MeetingNook desktop app
The desktop app records what is on your screen and what your computer plays, so it does not need Meet’s permission or a paid plan. It works the same for Google Meet in any browser, and for the Zoom and Teams apps.
Step 1: install it once
Download MeetingNook for Mac, Windows or Linux from the apps page. On a Mac, the first time you open it, allow Screen and System Audio Recording and Microphone in System Settings → Privacy and Security, then reopen MeetingNook.
Step 2: join the Meet call
Open the call in your browser as usual. MeetingNook notices a meeting has started and offers to record. You can also click Record in the MeetingNook window and pick the browser window or your whole screen.
Step 3: stop when you are done
Click Stop. The video, the transcript and a Word file with the summary, decisions and to-dos are saved in Downloads → Meeting Recordings on your computer. Nothing is uploaded unless you turn on a cloud AI or a connection yourself.
Be fair to the people in the call
Tell everyone you are recording, and follow your local law and your company’s rules. MeetingNook never records secretly. The Chrome extension is coming soon; until then the desktop app covers browser calls.