The supported setups at a glance
Riverside's FAQ says guests just click the link you send, with no sign-up or installation required. That holds on a computer with a supported browser; phone guests need the Riverside app, and the rest of this guide covers the setups where the link alone is not enough.
| Setup | Recording support | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome or Edge on Mac or Windows | Supported | macOS 11+ or Windows 7+; 8+ physical cores for video, 4+ for audio only; latest browser version |
| Safari 18.2+ on Mac | Supported with feature gaps | Not in Private mode; keep the Riverside tab active |
| Riverside Mac app | Supported, recommended for Mac | macOS 15 Sequoia+ on Apple silicon M1 or newer; Intel Macs use a browser |
| iPhone or iPad app | Supported | Latest iOS recommended; iPhone X+ or 2017 iPad+ recommended; no beta OS |
| Android app | Supported | Android 7.0 minimum, 10.0+ recommended; no beta OS |
| Any mobile browser | Not supported | Includes Safari on iPhone and mobile Chrome and Edge |
| Chromebook, Linux, remote desktop | Not supported | Riverside warns tracks may be unusable |
Computer requirements in full
The processor line is the one most people miss. Riverside asks for 8 physical cores for video recording, which many older or entry-level laptops do not have. A guest on a 4-core machine is within the audio-only guidance but below the video guidance.
- Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11) or later, or Windows 7 or later.
- Processor: 8 or more physical cores for video recording; 4 or more for audio only.
- Browser: Chrome, Edge, or Safari 18.2 or newer, on the latest version, not in Incognito or Private mode.
- Storage: at least 5 GB of free browser storage; for sessions over 1.5 hours, check how much temporary storage your browser can access.
- Internet: download above 10 Mbps and upload above 5 Mbps; Riverside suggests turning off firewalls and VPNs for best results.
- Mac app storage: keep total disk use to about three quarters of capacity, for example 375 GB used on a 500 GB drive.
Safari, Chromebooks and work laptops: what guests should expect
Safari on Mac works for logging in, the dashboard, recording and editing, but Riverside's Safari article lists features that are not available: virtual backgrounds and visual effects, async recording from an invite link, choosing a speaker or audio output device in the studio, in-person recording and live call-in. Screen share in Safari runs on Riverside's server and may look blurry on a weak connection. Safari on iPhone is not supported; iPhone guests need the iOS app. Riverside recommends Chrome, Edge or its Mac app for full access.
Chromebooks and Chromebox PCs are explicitly unsupported for recording even though they run Chrome, along with other ChromeOS devices such as smart whiteboards, Linux computers, computers accessed through a remote desktop app, and ARM computers with Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processors. Riverside warns these setups can cause recording errors that make tracks unusable.
Work laptops are the common hidden problem. Riverside's guest checklist asks guests to temporarily disable VPNs, browser extensions, content blockers and firewalls, which a managed corporate laptop may not allow. If a guest's IT department controls those, ask them to join from a personal computer or the mobile app instead.
| Guest's device | What to tell them |
|---|---|
| Mac with Safari | Update to Safari 18.2+, or use Chrome, Edge or the Riverside Mac app for full features |
| Chromebook | Not supported; use a phone with the Riverside app or another computer |
| Firefox user | Firefox is unsupported; open the link in Chrome or Edge |
| Brave, Arc, Opera or Vivaldi user | Arc, Opera and Vivaldi are listed as unsupported and Brave is not officially supported; switch to Chrome or Edge |
| Work laptop with VPN | Disconnect the VPN if allowed; otherwise use a personal device |
| iPhone or Android only | Install the Riverside app; do not open the link in the phone browser |
Mobile app guests
On a phone, guests install the Riverside iOS or Android app, tap the studio link or Join Session in the invite email, preview video, enter a name and allow microphone and camera access while using the app. They can choose portrait or landscape and switch cameras; on iOS a device can also be used as a second camera. After the session, they must keep the app open until it shows Upload complete, and relaunch it if they closed it early.
Riverside asks for at least 5 GB free on the device and the same internet speeds as computers. Beta versions of iOS and Android are not compatible.
Editing has stricter browser requirements than recording
Recording in Safari is allowed, but editing in a browser is not: Riverside's editor needs Chrome or Edge version 110 or newer on a computer, with hardware acceleration turned on because the editor uses the graphics card for preview. Riverside sets no minimum RAM for editing but says playback quality may be lower on machines with less memory. The full editor is also available in the Riverside Mac app.
Guest checklist to send 24 hours before
- Use Chrome, Edge or Safari 18.2+ on a computer, or the Riverside app on a phone. Not Firefox, not a Chromebook, not a phone browser.
- Do not use Incognito or Private mode.
- Have at least 5 GB free storage.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible; aim for over 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up.
- Plug in the laptop and turn off the browser's energy saver; Riverside says battery power can make audio choppy.
- Close other tabs and apps, especially anything using the mic or camera.
- Temporarily disable VPN, extensions, content blockers and firewall if you can.
- Wear headphones and use an external or headset mic if you have one.
- Face a window or lamp; keep the brightest light in front of you.
- After recording, keep the window open until it says Upload Complete or 100% Uploaded.
Questions before you decide
Can guests join Riverside from Firefox?
No. Riverside lists Firefox among unsupported browsers. Guests should use Chrome, Edge or Safari 18.2 or newer on a computer, or the Riverside mobile app.
Does Riverside work on a Chromebook?
No. Riverside's requirements say Chromebooks and Chromebox PCs are not currently supported for recording, even though they use Chrome, and warn that unsupported devices can produce unusable tracks.
Can an iPhone guest join from Safari?
No. Riverside says Safari on iPhone is not supported and mobile browsers cannot record. iPhone guests need to install the Riverside iOS app and join from it.
What internet speed does Riverside need?
Riverside recommends a download speed above 10 Mbps and an upload speed above 5 Mbps, and suggests turning off firewalls and VPNs for best results.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Riverside Help Center: System requirements and supported browsers Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Riverside Help Center: Can I use Safari with Riverside? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Riverside Help Center: Guest checklist and tips, recording on a computer Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Riverside Help Center: Join a studio as a guest Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Riverside: FAQ Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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