How to Screen Record on Android and iPhone With Audio

Every modern phone has a built-in screen recorder

Android phones and iPhones come with a built-in screen recorder, so you don't need to install an app. It's useful for showing someone how to do something on your phone, documenting an app error, saving a family video call (with everyone's consent), or recording a clip from a game.

Mobile browsers can't record your screen, so you'll need to use your phone's built-in screen recorder.

On Android

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings.
2. Look for Screen record or Screen recorder. If you don't see it, tap the pencil icon to edit your shortcuts and drag the button into the main area.
3. Choose your audio options: no sound, media sounds (audio from apps), microphone, or both. Some versions also let you show taps on the screen.
4. Tap Start. A countdown will appear.
5. To stop recording, open Quick Settings again or tap the recording indicator. The video will be saved to your gallery.

Names and options vary by brand (Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, and others) and Android version, but you'll find the feature in Quick Settings.

On iPhone

1. First, add the button to Control Center: go to Settings › Control Center and add Screen Recording. In newer iOS versions, you can edit Control Center directly by tapping the + in the corner.
2. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner, or swipe up from the bottom on models with a Home button).
3. To record just your screen, tap the Record button. To include your voice, touch and hold the button and turn on Microphone.
4. To stop, tap the red indicator at the top of the screen and confirm. The video will be saved in the Photos app.

By default, iPhone records audio from apps; using the microphone is optional.

Did your recording come out black or without sound?

• Black screen in video, banking, or calling apps: Many apps block screen recording to protect content or data. There's no setting to fix this—it's up to the app.
• No app audio: On Android, make sure you selected media sounds. Some apps also block audio capture. Check that media volume isn't muted.
• No voice audio: Turn on the microphone before you start (on iPhone, touch and hold the Record button).
• Recording stopped: Low storage or an incoming call can stop a recording.

After recording

• Trim the beginning and end, where Control Center appears, with Trim video.
• Phone screen recordings are often high-resolution and take up a lot of space. Make the file smaller with Compress video before sharing.
• For a short clip that repeats, such as showing a gesture, turn it into a GIF with Video to GIF. It's lightweight and plays automatically.

Privacy tips

• Turn on Do Not Disturb before recording so message previews don't appear.
• Watch the entire video before sharing it. Passwords typed with the keyboard visible, codes received by text, and account balances could appear.
• Let the other people know before recording a video call.

If you're recording a tutorial to show someone how to use an app (a family member or client, for example), go slowly and pause for a second before each tap. On Android, if available, turn on the option to show taps on the screen so viewers can see exactly where you tapped.

Frequently asked questions