“We're preparing this video” in Google Drive

Q: Google Drive says “We're preparing this video”

'We're preparing this video' is Google Drive processing a freshly uploaded video so it can play in the browser — it happens with any video uploaded to Drive, not just ones from RecordFlow. The file is already safely backed up. Drive usually finishes within 30 minutes and the in-browser player starts working on its own. To watch sooner, download the file from Drive and play it in any video player.

Google Drive says “We're preparing this video”

Your recording is already safely backed up — Google Drive just needs a few minutes to get it ready to play.

User appAdmin app· Updated June 12, 2026

What's happening

If you open a recording right after RecordFlow archives it, Drive may say "We're preparing this video" or "This video is still processing." That's Google getting the file ready to play in your browser — it happens with any video uploaded to Drive, not just ones from RecordFlow. The file itself finished uploading; only the in-browser player is catching up.

The fast fix

1Wait — Drive usually finishes within 30 minutes, and the player starts working on its own with no action from you.
2Need to watch it sooner? Right-click the file in Drive, click Download, and play it in any video player.

Still stuck?

Contact us through our support page with what you tried and the email address on your Zoom account — we reply within one business day. Or book 15 minutes with Adam, the founder.