Where Does FaceTime Store Calls and Live Photos?
FaceTime keeps no call recordings locally, saving only Live Photos to Photos and history inside the app.
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FaceTime records nothing by itself. Audio and video calls leave history entries in the app and Phone recents, not media files. Anyone expecting Zoom style local recordings will search in vain.
The exception is Live Photos, captured with the shutter button when both sides allow it. Those land in the Photos library like camera shots. SharePlay media stays in its source app. For records of a call, screenshots and carrier logs are the only artifacts. Handoff continuity never creates files either.
Where FaceTime stores this, by platform
Photos library (Live Photos only; no call files)
Call history in FaceTime and Phone recents. Both parties must enable Live Photos capture or the shutter button stays inert. No exportable recording file exists.
Photos library (Live Photos only; no call files)
Same model as iOS. Recent calls list in the FaceTime sidebar. Record important sessions with system screen recording instead, with consent.
Frequently asked questions
Can I record a FaceTime call natively?
No. FaceTime offers no built in call recording. Use Live Photos for stills or macOS screen recording for video, and tell participants first where required.
Where did my FaceTime Live Photo go?
Into the Photos library on the capturing device. If the button did nothing, the other side likely disabled Live Photos capture in FaceTime settings.
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