What is the ARF file format?
The .arf file format is related to the web conferencing tool Webex. An .arf file is a recording downloaded from the Webex website, captured server-side rather than on the participant's local machine. A single file holds multiple synchronized streams - presenter video, shared screen or application capture, audio, chat, table of contents, and attendee panel data. The Webex software and .arf format were developed by Cisco.
Difference between .arf and .wrf formats
A recording downloaded from the Webex site is saved as an .arf file; however, Webex sessions recorded locally by the user are saved in .wrf format.
Additional information
.arfrecordings are captured using Network-Based Recording (NBR) technology, meaning the session is recorded on Cisco's servers rather than by the desktop client..arffiles can be converted into more widely supported formats such as .mp4 or .wmv using the Cisco WebEx Recording Converter tool.- Because
.arfbundles several synchronized streams into a proprietary container, a standard media player cannot open it - the WebEx Network Recording Player or Converter is required. .arfis now a legacy format: Cisco Webex switched new cloud recordings to standard MP4 by default from Webex Meetings 40.10 (October 2020). Existing.arfarchives remain playable with the legacy Cisco tools.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe format itself is passive, but two real cautions apply. (1) The WebEx Network Recording Player and Converter are LEGACY tools Cisco now ships "as is"/use-at-your-own-risk; download them ONLY from official help.webex.com/webex.com links - "ARF player/converter" search results are a common vector for fake-codec adware and scam downloaders. (2) Recordings can contain confidential meeting content, screen shares and chat, so treat an .arf as sensitive. Convert to MP4 and store securely rather than relying on the aging player.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEWebEx Advanced Recording Fileaka WebEx ARF recording, Advanced Recording Format
DEVELOPERCisco Systems (WebEx Communications)since Mid-2000s, with WebEx network-based (server-side) recording
CATEGORYVideo Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream
TYPEProprietary multi-stream meeting recording (video, audio, screen share, panels)
This extension is also used by…
- Allegro Common Lisp ARF / Amber/Access Report files - A few unrelated apps use .arf for report or runtime files, but the dominant meaning is the Cisco WebEx recording.
Programs that open ARF files
Windows2 apps
WebEx Network Recording Player
Free Install the Network Recording Player, then open the .arf to play it with all panels. (Legacy tool, provided as-is by Cisco.)
WebEx Recording Converter
Free Use the Windows converter (File > Convert) to turn the .arf into a standard MP4 that plays anywhere. 
macOS1 app
WebEx Network Recording Player (macOS)
Free Install the macOS Network Recording Player to PLAY .arf files. Note: ARF-to-MP4 conversion is Windows-only - convert on a PC, or have the host re-record/export from the Webex site.
Web1 app
Webex site (host re-record / MP4 download)
Freemium If you host the recording, newer Webex sites can provide/convert it to MP4 server-side - often easier than the desktop converter. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Cisco Systems (WebEx Communications) |
| Format type | Proprietary multi-stream meeting recording container |
| Encoding | Binary (proprietary Cisco container; no public format specification) |
| Streams contained | Presenter video, screen share/application capture, audio, chat log, attendee roster, and table of contents |
| Recording method | Network-Based Recording (NBR) - session is captured server-side on Cisco's cloud infrastructure |
| Compression | Proprietary screen-capture and audio/video codecs; codec details are not publicly documented |
| Password protection | Optional host-set password; a recording can be password-protected at the time it is saved on the server |
| Typical file size | Tens of MB to several GB, depending on meeting length and level of screen activity |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (unofficial alternative: video/x-webex-arf) |
| Platform support | Windows (full player and converter); macOS (legacy player only) |
| Playback requirement | Requires Cisco WebEx Network Recording Player or Recording Converter; incompatible with standard media players |
| Conversion output | MP4 and WMV via the Cisco WebEx Recording Converter; MP4 is the recommended modern target |
| Distinct from .wrf | .wrf is a local client-side recording made by the desktop app; .arf is a cloud/server-side network recording |
| Current status | Legacy - Cisco Webex defaulted all new cloud recordings to MP4 from Webex Meetings 40.10 (October 2020) |
| Released | Mid-2000s, with WebEx network-based (server-side) recording |
| Latest version | Legacy format - new Webex recordings default to MP4 since Webex Meetings 40.10 (2020) |
| Specification | help.webex.com |
ARF conversions
Possible
.ARF .AVIGUIDE
You can convert ARF to AVI, but it takes two steps - ARF to MP4 with Cisco's WebEx Recording Converter, then…
How to convert
.ARF .MP4GUIDE
Yes, ARF converts to MP4 - the fastest route is the free WebEx Recording Converter on Windows (File >…
How to convert
.ARF .WMVGUIDE
Yes, ARF can be converted to WMV using the free WebEx Network Recording Player on Windows - but MP4 is a…
How to convert
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about ARF files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an ARF file?
Install Cisco's free WebEx Network Recording Player (Windows or macOS) and open the .arf with it - normal players like VLC can't read the proprietary multi-stream format. To play it anywhere, convert it to MP4 first.
How do I convert ARF to MP4?
Use the WebEx Recording Converter (Windows only): open the .arf and convert to MP4. If you host the recording, newer Webex sites can also provide an MP4 server-side. MP4 then plays on any device.
Why won't VLC play my ARF file?
ARF is a proprietary Cisco WebEx container holding multiple synced streams (video, screen, panels), not a standard video. VLC and other players can't decode it - you need the WebEx player, or convert the file to MP4.
Can I convert an ARF file to MP4 on a Mac?
Not directly - the WebEx ARF-to-MP4 Converter is Windows-only. The macOS Network Recording Player can PLAY .arf files; to get an MP4, convert on a Windows PC or have the meeting host export MP4 from the Webex site.
What's the difference between ARF and WRF?
ARF is a server-side ('network') WebEx recording made in the cloud; WRF is a local recording made by the desktop client on your own computer. They're different WebEx formats and aren't interchangeable.
Why is my new WebEx recording an MP4, not an ARF?
Since Webex Meetings 40.10 (October 2020), new recordings default to standard MP4. ARF is the older format, so you'll mostly encounter it with archived/older recordings.
References
1Cisco Webex Help - Convert an ARF recording to MP4help.webex.com
2Cisco Webex Help - Install the Webex Recording Converterhelp.webex.com
