Can I access chat history as alternative host?

[Debbi1]

I was set up as an alternative host on a zoom meeting. The original host cannot find the chat history. Can I access the history & if so, how?

Normally I find the chat history in the my documents/zoom folder. The original host has these folders on their windows laptop but the zoom folder is empty. They do have their settings (recording tab) "ticked" so cannot understand why there is no chat history available to access.

Save chat messages from the meeting / webinar

Save closed caption as a VTT file

[Dainal12 · Accepted solution]

Hi! As an alternative host on a Zoom meeting, you should be able to access the chat history if it was saved during the meeting. However, chat history is typically only saved if the original host enabled the setting to automatically save chat messages.

If the original host can’t find the chat history in their Zoom folder, here are some steps to check:

Confirm Chat Saving Settings: Make sure that the option to save the chat was enabled during the meeting in the settings. The original host can find this under Settings > Chat.

Location of Saved Chats: The default location for saved chats is usually Documents > Zoom. Ensure they are checking the correct folders and looking for the right meeting date.

Manual Save: If the original host had not enabled automatic saving, they would need to manually save the chat during the meeting by clicking on the three dots in the chat window and selecting "Save Chat".

Recording Features: If the meeting was recorded, sometimes the chat may be included in the recording, depending on the settings.

If all else fails and the chat history is not available, it may not be recoverable. I hope this helps!"

[tonystark1122 · Accepted solution]

As an alternative host, you may not automatically have access to the chat history unless it was saved on your device. Chat history is typically saved locally to the original host’s “Documents/Zoom” folder if their settings allow it. If the folder is empty, the host may need to check if "Auto-save chat" was enabled before the meeting in Settings > In Meeting (Basic).

If it wasn’t enabled, unfortunately, the chat history may not have been saved. For future meetings, ensure "Auto-save chat" is enabled in the host’s settings.

[Dainal12 · Accepted solution]

Hi! As an alternative host on a Zoom meeting, you should be able to access the chat history if it was saved during the meeting. However, chat history is typically only saved if the original host enabled the setting to automatically save chat messages.

If the original host can’t find the chat history in their Zoom folder, here are some steps to check:

Confirm Chat Saving Settings: Make sure that the option to save the chat was enabled during the meeting in the settings. The original host can find this under Settings > Chat.

Location of Saved Chats: The default location for saved chats is usually Documents > Zoom. Ensure they are checking the correct folders and looking for the right meeting date.

Manual Save: If the original host had not enabled automatic saving, they would need to manually save the chat during the meeting by clicking on the three dots in the chat window and selecting "Save Chat".

Recording Features: If the meeting was recorded, sometimes the chat may be included in the recording, depending on the settings.

If all else fails and the chat history is not available, it may not be recoverable. I hope this helps!"

[tonystark1122 · Accepted solution]

As an alternative host, you may not automatically have access to the chat history unless it was saved on your device. Chat history is typically saved locally to the original host’s “Documents/Zoom” folder if their settings allow it. If the folder is empty, the host may need to check if "Auto-save chat" was enabled before the meeting in Settings > In Meeting (Basic).

If it wasn’t enabled, unfortunately, the chat history may not have been saved. For future meetings, ensure "Auto-save chat" is enabled in the host’s settings.

[CarlaA]

Hi @Debbi1! I see a couple of responses from community members on your post. Were they able to help answer your question? If so, please remember to mark the reply as the accepted solution. Thank you!

[meriment · Accepted solution]

Alternative hosts cannot access the chat by default. You could ask them to share the chat with you assuming they can locate it in their account. To automate this you could set up a webhook that sends you the chat proactively from the host without having to request it every time. If you are not a developer there is a Zoom app, Salepager, that makes it easy for the host to auto-share the chat with the alternative host.