Create audio and video clips in Slack
Share audio and video clips in Slack to communicate easily with your team, regardless of their time zone or location. Anyone in a channel or direct message (DM) can play clips, and reply in thread with a clip of their own.
Tip: Use our ideas and templates to show off your work, share an update, or give kudos to your team in a clip.
Record a clip
You can record video and audio clips up to five minutes long from Slack on your desktop or mobile device.
Record a video clip
Desktop
iOS
Android
- From a channel or DM, click the camera icon in the message field.
- Click Record. Click Share Screen and select a window.
- When you’re finished, click Stop Recording and select a thumbnail.
- Click Done and add a message if you’d like.
- Click the paper plane icon to send your clip.
Customize your video clip
- Turn your camera on or off.
- Mute or unmute yourself.
- Blur your background or upload a background image.
- Select a different camera or microphone.
- Upload an existing video as a clip.
- Open a channel or DM and tap the message field.
- Tap the plus icon and select Record a Video Clip.
- Tap the Record button.
- When you’re finished recording, tap the Record button again, then tap Use Video.
- Add a message if you’d like, then tap the paper plane icon to send your clip.
- Open a channel or DM and tap the message field.
- Tap the plus icon and select Record a Video Clip.
- Tap the Record button.
- When you’re finished recording, tap the Record button again, then tap Attach.
- Add a message if you’d like, then tap the paper plane icon to send your clip.
Tip: Closed captions are available for all video clips.
Record an audio clip
Desktop
iOS
Android
- From a channel or DM, click the microphone icon in the message field to start recording.
- When you’re finished, click the check mark to stop recording.
- Add a message if you’d like, then click the paper plane icon to send your clip.
- Open a channel or DM and tap the message field.
- Tap the microphone icon to start recording.
- When you’re finished, tap the check mark to stop recording.
- Add a message if you’d like, then tap the paper plane icon to send your clip.
- Open a channel or DM and tap the message field.
- Tap the microphone icon to start recording.
- When you’re finished, tap the check mark button to stop recording.
- Add a message if you’d like, then tap the paper plane icon to send your clip.
Note: When clips are shared in a conversation on desktop, a preview of the transcript will display. To read a clip’s full transcript on desktop or mobile, select the three lines icon.
Delete a clip
If you have permission to edit or delete messages, you can delete clips you’ve recorded.
Desktop
iOS
Android
- Hover over a clip and click the three dots icon.
- Click Delete clip.
- Click Yes, Delete This Clip.
Delete a video clip
- Tap the clip, then tap the three dots icon.
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Yes, Delete Clip.
Delete an audio clip
- Tap and hold the clip.
- Tap Delete, then tap Yes, Delete Clip.
Delete a video clip
- Tap the clip, then tap the three dots icon.
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Delete again.
Delete an audio clip
- Tap and hold the clip.
- Tap Delete, then tap Delete again.
Note: Clips follow the same retention policy as other files in Slack.
Troubleshoot recording issues
If you’re having trouble with audio or video when recording clips, read on to learn how to troubleshoot some common issues.
Check audio input sources
If audio isn’t working when you record, go to your audio and video preferences in the Slack desktop app.
- From your desktop, click your profile picture in the top right.
- Select Preferences from the menu.
- Click Audio & video in the left-side column.
Once you’ve opened preferences, check the following:
- Make sure you’ve selected the correct microphone and speaker.
- Test your microphone by saying a few words. If the voice meter doesn’t move up and down as you speak, try the other options in the microphone dropdown menu.
Check audio settings
Check to make sure your audio isn’t muted, then confirm that Slack has permission to access your microphone.
Mac
Windows
- Open System Preferences.
- Select Security & Privacy, then click the Privacy tab.
- Select Microphone from the list on the left.
- Check the box next to Slack. If it’s already checked, uncheck and recheck it.
- Open Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Click Microphone.
- Toggle the setting on to allow apps to access your microphone. In the list of Microsoft Store apps, find Slack and toggle the setting on.
Check camera and video settings
If your camera isn’t working when you record, you may need to grant Slack access from your computer’s system settings:
Mac
Windows
- Open System Preferences.
- Select Security & Privacy, then click the Privacy tab.
- Click Camera.
- Check the box next to Slack. If it’s already checked, uncheck and recheck it.
- Open Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Click Camera.
- Toggle the setting on to allow apps to access your camera. In the list of Microsoft Store apps, find Slack and toggle the setting on.
- All members and guests
- Available on all plans