How to Record Google Meet for Free in 2026 (No Additional Software Required)
No Google Workspace subscription, no clunky screen-recorder juggling. The free Beesy Chrome Extension records any Google Meet call in a couple of clicks — here's exactly how to set it up.
Prefer to read? The full walkthrough is below ↓
If you've ever wanted to record a Google Meet but don't have access to Google's built-in recording feature, you're not alone.
The good news is that you can record any Google Meet for free without paying for a Google Workspace subscription. Even better, you don't need to install heavy screen recording software — just a lightweight Chrome extension and a Chromium-based browser.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to do it.
What You'll Need
Before getting started, make sure you have:
- Google Chrome, Arc, Brave, Microsoft Edge, or another Chromium-based browser
- The Beesy Chrome Extension
- A Google Meet session
Once you've installed the extension, you're ready to record.
Step 1 · Install the Beesy Chrome Extension
Open your browser and search for the Beesy Chrome Extension, or use the link above to jump straight there.
After opening the extension page:
- Click Add to Chrome
- Confirm by clicking Add Extension
- Pin the extension to your browser toolbar for easy access
Once installed, you can close the welcome page.
Step 2 · Join or Start a Google Meet
Open Google Meet and either:
- Start an instant meeting, or
- Join an existing meeting
You'll notice that Beesy automatically disables your microphone and camera by default. This is a useful privacy feature, although you can change this behavior in the extension settings.
Step 3 · Start Recording
Click the Beesy extension icon. You'll see two recording options:
- Video + Audio
- Audio Only
Choose the option that suits your needs.
The first time you record, your browser will request microphone permission. Allow the permission, and the recording will begin. Once recording starts, you'll see a timer indicating that everything is being captured.
Troubleshooting Permission Issues
If recording doesn't start properly, try the following:
- Open your browser's extension settings
- Disable the Beesy extension
- Enable it again
- Refresh Google Meet
- Try recording once more
If prompted, allow any required permissions again.
Don't Close the Recording Tab
When Beesy starts recording, it opens a separate pinned tab.
Do not close this tab while recording — the extension uses it to manage your recording in the background, and closing it will stop the recording.
When your meeting is finished, simply stop the recording and leave the meeting.
A Limitation You Should Know
One important limitation is how Beesy records your meeting.
If your Google Meet switches into Picture-in-Picture mode, or if you move away from the meeting tab, the extension only records what is visible in that browser tab. That means it may not capture participants or screen shares correctly while the meeting is floating in a pop-up window.
For the best results:
- Keep the Google Meet open in its original browser tab
- Avoid relying on Picture-in-Picture mode during recording
As long as the meeting remains in the active tab, Beesy records everything displayed there, including shared screens.
Recording Settings
Beesy also includes several useful settings. You can configure:
- Video recording format
- Audio format
- Automatic transcripts
- Recording management
The extension recommends leaving the video format as WebM, which provides the best compatibility.
Where Are Your Recordings Saved?
Beesy automatically saves your recordings to your computer. Inside the extension's Recordings section, you can:
- View previous recordings
- Download recordings again
- Delete recordings you no longer need
Since recordings can consume storage over time, it's a good idea to periodically remove old files.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a simple way to record Google Meet sessions without paying for Google's built-in recording feature, Beesy is an excellent option.
Installation takes only a minute, and once it's set up, you can start recording meetings with just a couple of clicks.
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Happy recording!