Where does Streamlabs save recordings?

Do you know where your Streamlabs recordings go?

If you are reading this, you probably already know that Streamlabs is able to record your content, so after a stream is over, you’ll be able to get the final result to re-watch it, re-purpose it, and even upload it to other platforms.

But where does Streamlabs save recordings is going to depend on the operative system you are using (Windows or Mac)

So keep reading and learn how to save and manage Streamlabs OBS Recordings like a pro.

Types of recordings Streamlabs can save

First of all, you need to understand the two different recordings that Streamlabs is able to do.

• Streamlabs replay buffer is a feature that will continuously monitor your content, and will save the last 20, 30 (or the seconds you specify), whenever you tell it to do so. Useful for capturing unexpected and unique moments
• Full recording on the other side, will, as you can expect by the name, record everything from the beginning.

Do Streamlabs automatically save recordings?

It would be a pity if you forget to activate Streamlabs recording (or the replay buffer) and miss important moments of your streaming.

That’s why the application offers you the possibility to activate automatic recording of both, the replay buffer, and the full recordings, every time you start your streaming.

If you want to activate this useful feature:

1. Open the Streamlabs preferences by clicking on the cogwheel.
2. Go to the General Tab 
3. Enable/check:
   1. Automatically record when streaming
   2. Automatically start replaying buffer when streaming

What about automatic stop recording?

If you have paid attention to the last picture, you may have seen that there are also options for Streamlabs to continue recording when your stream ends.

• Keep recording when stream stops
• Keep replay buffer active when stream stops

If you activate any (or both) the corresponding recording will continue until you end it manually.

Can Streamlabs Record Without Streaming?

If you can keep recording once your stream ends, you are probably wondering now:

• How to do that.
• And if you can make a recording without starting a streaming.

The answer is yes, you can record a full video (or a replay buffer) and stop it, without having to start any stream!

Both things are made from the bottom-right of the screen.

There you’ll find two buttons:

• Rec is the button to start/stop a recording.
• Play with the backward arrow, is the button to start the replaying buffer.

You should be careful with the last one though.

Remember that the replay buffer keeps recording and deleting content so it only keeps the last X seconds you’ve set on the preferences.

So, the play button with the backward arrow starts the continuous recording/deleting loop, but if you want to save one of those last X seconds as a clip, you’ll have to click again the Save button!

Where Does Streamlabs Save Recordings? Can You Change the Recording Path?

Streamlabs will save all your recordings in a local folder on your computer.

So, unless you change this local folder to a Dropbox or pCloud folder (you’ll see how to do this now) you won’t have them available online or fully secure, so I recommend to you make backups on a recurring basis if your recordings are important for you.

To easily check where your streamlabs recordings are going:

1. Open Streamblabs, and go to its preferences by clicking on the cogwheel.
2. Select the Output tab on the sidebar.
3. Scroll down until you see a section called Recording.
4. There you’ll find a field called “Recording Path”, there is where your Streamlabs recordings are being stored!

By default:

• On Windows, your Streamlabs will save your recordings on: C:UsersyourUserNameVideos.
• On macOS, you’ll find your Streamlabs obs recordings on /Users/yourUserName/Movies.

Can you change the default folder where Streamlabs saves the Recordings?

Yes, and it’s very easy!

From the same settings window you are in right now, all you have to do is click on the “Browse” button on the right side of the Path Field, and pick the new folder destination.

Where are the Streamlabs replay buffer clips saved?

As you have probably noticed, the section for the Streamlabs Replay Buffer doesn’t offer you a saving folder.

The explanation is simple, Streamlabs will simply use the same location for the replay buffer as for the full recordings, which remember is by default:

• C:UsersyourUserNameVideos on Windows.
• And /Users/yourUserName/Movies On macOS.

You cannot change the destination folder of the Replay Buffer without changing as well the saving folder of the full recordings.

How Much Space Do You Need for Streamlabs Recordings?

How much space is required for your Streamlab Recordings is going to depend especially on the Quality of the video, something you can choose from the Settings > Output > Recording Quality.

From there you can also change the saving format (mp4, mkv, mov, flv…) something that can also affect the weight of the final video.

How to View and delete Streamlab Saved Recordings?

Maybe now you are wondering: are the Streamlabs recordings deleted?

In many apps, the recordings are deleted after a certain period of time (typically 30 days) to avoid excessive accumulation of content.

This is not the case with Streamlabs.

Remember that all the content is saved locally as video files, so you are in charge of eliminating them if you accumulate too many as you’d do with a normal file.

In order to watch them, you could use your favorite video player, but if you want, you could also use the Streamlabs Highlighter, not only to watch the recordings but to also edit them.