Zoom Native Capture (also known as RTMS - Real-Time Media Streaming) lets Fellow record your Zoom meetings without a bot joining as a participant. Recording happens silently in the background, and you still get a full video recording, transcript, AI recap, and action items when the meeting ends.

Note: Zoom Native Capture works with Zoom meetings only. For Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or other platforms, use the Fellow Note Taker bot or Desktop Botless Recording. For a quick comparison on types of recording, check out this article!

Why use Native Capture?

No bot in the meeting: recordings happen without a Note Taker joining as a visible participant
Recording disclosure: Zoom displays a built-in notification to all participants that the meeting content is being accessed by an app, so everyone is informed

Requirements

A paid Fellow workspace
A paid Zoom account
Host permissions for the meetings you want to record
The Zoom desktop app installed
The Share realtime meeting content with apps setting enabled in Zoom (covered in Step 3 below)

How to set up Zoom Native Capture

There are two setup paths depending on whether you're an individual user or a workspace admin rolling this out for your whole organization.

For individual users

Step 1: Enable Zoom Native Capture in Workspace Settings

🔒 This step requires workspace admin access. If you're not an admin, ask your admin to confirm this is enabled.

Zoom Native Capture is enabled by default. If it has been turned off, a workspace admin can re-enable it:

Click your workspace logo and go to Workspace Settings > Note Taker & AI.
Under the Artificial Intelligence section, toggle Zoom Native Capture on.

Step 2: Connect the Zoom integration in User Settings

Go to User Settings → Apps & Integrations.
Find Zoom in the list and click the ⋯ (three-dot menu).
Click Connect and complete the Zoom authorization flow.

Step 3: Enable "Share realtime meeting content with apps" in Zoom

Open your Zoom desktop app and go to Settings > Zoom Apps.
Find Share realtime meeting content with apps and toggle it on.

Once set up, Native Capture becomes the default recording method for your Zoom calls - no bot will join. If you're ready to record, click Record Now in Fellow for the relevant meeting, or configure auto-record in your Note Taker settings.

For workspace admins

Admins can enable Native Capture for all users in the workspace without requiring individual setup:

Enable Zoom Native Capture in Workspace Settings > Note Taker & AI (same as Step 1 above)
Install the Fellow Zoom Admin App. If your Zoom settings require it, approve the app first from the Zoom Marketplace page
Enable Share realtime meeting content with apps in your Zoom account settings → Zoom Apps and lock the setting so it applies to all users
Provision the Fellow Zoom User app for all workspace members.

All Zoom meetings hosted by workspace members will now be captured automatically.

How to know it's working

Once active, there is no bot visible in the call. Here's how to confirm Native Capture is recording:

Click the Apps button in your Zoom call toolbar. Fellow will appear in the list of apps currently accessing your meeting content. From here you can Pause or Stop access at any time.
Look for the Fellow AI Note Taker text displayed below your video tile in Zoom - this confirms Native Capture is recording.

Finding your recordings

Once the meeting ends, Fellow automatically syncs the recording to your meeting note. The video, transcript, and AI recap will be available in the same place as any other recorded meeting - just open the note and click AI Recap.

All recordings are also saved to the Meeting Recordings Library.

Frequently asked questions

Will participants know the meeting is being recorded?

Yes. Zoom displays a notification to all participants that meeting content is being accessed by an app.

Can I use Native Capture with Google Meet or Microsoft Teams?

No - Native Capture is Zoom-only. For other platforms, use the Fellow Note Taker bot or Desktop Botless Recording.

What if I have both the user-level and admin-level apps installed?

That's fine - they work together! The Admin App ensures all workspace meetings are captured, while the user-level app gives individual access to integration features in the Zoom client.

A bot joined my meeting instead of Native Capture. Why?

This can happen if your organisation has disabled apps from accessing real-time meeting content, if the host denied the app's request, or if the Fellow Zoom integration is out of date. When Native Capture can't be initiated, a bot joins as a backup so no meeting content is lost. Check that all three setup steps above are complete and that the Zoom app is up to date in User Settings > Apps & Integrations.

Does Zoom retain a copy of the recording?

No - Zoom does not retain a copy of recordings made through Fellow's integration.

Can I record with both Native Capture and the Note Taker bot at the same time?

No - a meeting can only be recorded using one method at a time per Fellow workspace.

If I use Native Capture for Zoom, can I still use the bot for Google Meet and Teams

Yes - Zoom settings don't affect other platforms, and the bot can still be used there.

Does Native Capture require "Local Recording" to be enabled in Zoom?

No - the only required Zoom setting is Share realtime meeting content with apps in Zoom Apps settings.

Should I add Fellow to the "Auto-start apps" list in Zoom Account Settings?

No - Fellow manages its own recording rules and preferences, and the in-call experience is better when Fellow initiates the recording rather than Zoom. If Zoom sends a recording request that Fellow determines shouldn't be recorded, the request will be rejected and an error will display in Zoom.