VALORANT replays are finally here: How to access, watch and more
Riot has introduced the Replay system in VALORANT, and players can now rewatch their matches to improve their gameplay. It helps you see what went wrong in a round, how enemies took map control, or how a teammate created space. You can analyze your decisions and compare them with those of other players in the same match. This guide takes a closer look at the replay system in VALORANT, how it works, its limitations, and more!
Can you watch your replays in VALORANT?
Yes. You can watch your replays as long as the match is from the current patch and the current Act. The Replay system lets you watch any round from any player’s point of view. You can change the camera, jump to events, or turn outlines on and off. You can also watch in first person or move the camera freely in third person. The system does not include voice chat or text chat, and it does not include esports matches, events, or Custom games.
How does the VALORANT replay system work?
The Replay system shows the match from the server’s perspective. The game records your match and saves a replay file. When you open that file, you see the official version of what happened. You can pause, slow down, speed up, or skip forward. You can open the combat report and view the timeline, which shows kills and ultimate usage. The system supports different camera speeds and lets you follow projectiles such as Sova’s Recon Bolt.
How to access and watch replays in VALORANT
You can download and open a replay from the Career tab. You can then use the viewer to control every part of the match. Follow these steps to access a Replay:
- Finish a match in Unrated, Competitive, Swiftplay, or Premier.
- Click Career in the main menu.
- Find the match you want to watch.
- Click the Replay icon to download the replay file.
- Select Watch Replay after the download completes.
- Wait for the Replay viewer to load.
After launching any of your replays in the game, you now need to know how to direct the VOD and use all of the features that Riot Games has given to players to make the most of it. Here is what you can do in a VALORANT replay:
- Use the timeline to move around the match.
- Press the POV button to switch between players.
- Switch to a free camera if you want a wider view.
- Use the speed controls to pause, slow down, or fast-forward.
- Toggle outlines, HUD, and minimap based on your preference.
- Jump to any round from the timeline.
- Review fights, utility usage, or rotations until you finish your analysis.
Which replays can you watch?
You can only watch your own matches from the current patch and the current Act. You cannot watch: Old Act replays
- Matches from a past patch version
- Custom games
- Esports matches on the tournament realm
Supported modes are Unrated, Competitive, Swiftplay, and Premier. When an Act ends, your replay files are deleted. If you want to save a moment permanently, you must record it with separate video software.
How to watch other players’ replays
Riot does not support replay sharing. The method below is unofficial and may stop working after any patch. Use it only to study gameplay. Do not share accounts. Back up your files first.
What you need
- Your own replay file from the current patch and Act
- The other player’s replay file from the same patch and Act
- Windows access to your VALORANT replay folder
Folder path on Windows
- Paste this into File Explorer: %LOCALAPPDATA%VALORANTSavedDemos
- (Example path: C:UsersYourUserAppDataLocalVALORANTSavedDemos)
Step-by-step
- Finish any supported match (Unrated, Competitive, Swiftplay, or Premier).
- Go to Career → Match History and click the Replay icon on any match.
- Download your replay file.
- Open File Explorer and paste the path: %LOCALAPPDATA%VALORANTSavedDemos.
- Identify your latest replay file in this Demos folder.
- Copy this file to a safe backup folder.
- Right-click your replay file and click Rename. Press Ctrl+C to copy the exact filename. Press Esc to cancel renaming.
- Place the other player’s replay file on your desktop.
- Right-click the other player’s file and click Rename. Press Ctrl+V to paste the exact filename you copied in Step 7. Press Enter. The filenames must match exactly.
- Launch VALORANT and return to Career → Match History.
- Click Watch Replay on the match you downloaded in Step 2. The replay viewer will start to load.
- While the loading screen is active, Alt+Tab to File Explorer.
- Drag the other player’s renamed file into the Demos folder and choose Replace the file in the destination.
- Alt+Tab back to VALORANT. The replay should load with the other player’s match data.
- Verify that chat shows “Not connected” and that player names may differ. This is normal.
- Watch the replay and use the viewer tools: POV switch, free camera, speed controls, and timeline.
- When you finish, close the replay.
- Delete the swapped file and restore your original backup file to the Demos folder. This prevents errors on future loads.
Can I watch all of my previous matches?
No. The Replay system only shows matches from the current Act. Once the Act resets, your old replay files are gone. The system also breaks when a new patch arrives, because replay files only work on the patch they were recorded on.
Current issues and limitations
The Replay system is still in an early stage, and Riot has only released the core features. The tool is helpful for learning and improving, but it also comes with several restrictions:
- Replays reset after each Act: When a new Act begins, previous replays are deleted and cannot be recovered. This prevents long-term storage through the VALORANT client.
- No Custom games support: The system does not include Custom matches because they use many different settings and modifiers. Riot has not confirmed when or if support will be added.
- No text chat or voice chat: The Replay viewer does not record communication, so players cannot review callouts, arguments, or teamwork decisions.
- No built-in clip export or sharing tools: You cannot export a replay or generate highlights from inside the viewer. Players must record footage with third-party software such as OBS or NVIDIA ShadowPlay.
- Utility previews are incomplete: Some visuals, such as Brimstone smokes or Killjoy placement previews, do not appear in the viewer. Players can still see the abilities after they land, but not the placement stage.
- High-ping situations may look strange: Because replays show the server version of events, high-latency interactions can appear unnatural, delayed, or “snappy.” This is not proof of cheating and is normal in server-based replay systems.
- Esports and tournament realm are not supported: VCT and pro matches do not have replay files that players can watch through the normal client
Will Riot improve the replay system in the future?
Yes. Riot has stated that it will track player feedback and expand the system over time. Future updates may include sharing tools, export options, and better utility visuals.
Featured Image Credit: Riot Games