Truth: Can Zoom Tell Screen Recording? e.g. OBS, 3rd-Party

Recording holds significant value during an online meeting. Specifically, it can facilitate review processes, share with team members who missed out, or reuse for effective onboarding, training, and documentation.

That's why popular video conferencing platforms like Zoom include a built-in recording feature for ease of use. Some may use third-party tools such as OBS to screen record.

Question: When screen recording a Zoom meeting, dose the app detect and notify others?

Can Zoom Detect Screen Recording?

No. Zoom does not develop such detection feature for external recording activities. Of course, there will be no notification either.

From a technical perspective, to implement recording detection of third-party tools, system-level monitoring is required. However, Zoom runs as regular user-space applications, and with no access to monitor the system at this depth.

So, if you're using OBS or other third-party recorder, Zoom cannot detect and alert others.

However, when it comes to the built-in recording feature in Zoom, the answer is YES - it can be detected and notified. Zoom's recording feature enables hosts and permitted participants to capture meeting video, audio, and shared screens. When the built-in recording button is active, the notifications look like these:

1) Host View

The host will receive a request message by who want to record the meeting.

When the record starts, the host can view real-time recording indicators in the right sidebar (people who is recording will have an icon beside).

2) Participant View - who is recording

3) Other Participant View

When other people join a meeting that is being recorded, he will see this message.

Important

Although Zoom doesn't alert about screen recording behavior outside of its own functions, you have a responsibility. Don’t secretly record or share private or sensitive meetings.

Always get the host's or participants' consent before recording.

Does Zoom Detect OBS Recording?

OBS as a free video and audio capture tool is loved by many people. And many use it for screen recording.

What if you use OBS to record Zoom? Will it be detected or blocked by the meeting platform？

No. Zoom does not detect screen recording done with third-party software such as OBS Studio. 

In fact, whether you're using the Zoom Workplace application or visit it via the browser, OBS offers capture options to screen record the content. And the out-of-application operations go unnoticed.

Can You Screen Record Zoom with Third-Party Recorder?

Yes. Zoom only manages its built-in record features.

If you want to use a third-party screen recorder for Zoom, such as to record a specific area or others, you can use Kingshiper Screen Recorder.

It has five recording mode, allowing user to capture Zoom window only or a customized area. More, the Schedule Recording feature is able to record automatically. In this way, you don't have to worry about missing the meeting.

Step 1. Install and launch Kingshiper on your computer.

Step 2. Select a recording mode. Drop down the menu and choose Custom.

Step 3. Open Zoom.

Step 4. Customize the recording area with the mouse.

Step 5. Click the Record button to start.