How to Enable Screen Recording on Your Phone

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Screen recording is an essential feature for many smartphone users. Whether you want to capture video calls, gameplay, or tutorials, knowing how to enable screen recording on your phone can be very helpful. This guide will help you go through every step you need to understand this feature on both Android and iOS devices.

Understanding screen recording

Screen recording allows you to capture a video of what is displayed on your phone screen. This is different from a screenshot, which is a still image. Screen recording captures the entire sequence of actions on your device, making it perfect for tutorial videos or demonstrating how an app works.

Enabling screen recording on Android

Depending on the Android version and manufacturer, screen recording may look different on your device. Below we will provide a general guide to enabling this feature on most Android phones.

Step 1: Check the built-in screen recorder

Recent versions of Android have a built-in screen recorder. To check if your device has this feature, do the following:

• Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification shade.
• Look for the “Screen Recorder” icon among the quick setting toggles.
• If you don't see it right away, swipe left or right to see more icons or tap the Edit button to customize your shade.

If your device has a built-in screen recorder, you can activate it by tapping the icon. After a short countdown, it will start recording your screen.

Step 2: Using third-party apps

If your Android doesn't have a built-in screen recording feature, you can opt for a third-party app. There are many apps available on the Google Play Store. Some of the popular ones include AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen Screen Recorder, and DU Recorder. Here's how you can use one of them:

• Open Google Play Store.
• Search for "screen recorder", such as "AZ Screen Recorder".
• Download and install the app of your choice.
• Follow the instructions in the app to start recording. Most apps offer convenient widgets or notification controls to manage recordings.

Example of using AZ Screen Recorder

Let's look at using AZ Screen Recorder, which is a popular option:

1. Once installed, open AZ Screen Recorder.
2. You will see a bubble icon on your screen that acts as a control button.
3. Tap on this bubble and options like “Record”, “Settings” and “Gallery” will appear.
4. Tap "Record" to start screen recording. A countdown will start, after which whatever you do on the screen will be recorded.
5. To stop recording, tap the control bubble again and select "Stop."
6. Your video will be saved to your gallery or the app's storage area.

Enabling screen recording on iOS

For users with Apple devices, enabling screen recording is relatively simple. iOS comes with a built-in screen recorder since iOS 11, which is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Step 1: Add screen recording to control center

First, make sure the Screen Recording feature is available from your Control Center. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap Control centre.
3. Select Customise controls.
4. Scroll down to find Screen Recording and tap the green plus icon (+) to add it to your Control Center shortcuts.

Step 2: Start screen recording

Now that Screen Recording is in your Control Center, here’s how to use it:

1. Swipe down from the upper-right edge of the screen (on an iPhone X or later or an iPad with iOS 12 or later) or swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on an older iPhone).
2. Find and tap the Screen Recording button, which looks like a white circle. After a 3-second countdown, the recording will begin.
3. You can record app activities, navigation, and everything that happens on your screen.
4. To end the recording, tap the red status bar at the top of your screen and tap Stop. Alternatively, go back to Control Center and tap the Screen Recording button again.
5. Check the Photos app to find your recorded video.

Important tips for screen recording

Regardless of the platform you're using, consider these tips to maximize your screen recording experience:

• Do not disturb mode: Enable do not disturb mode to avoid unexpected notifications during recording.
• Check recording limits: Some devices or apps may limit the recording duration. Check if there is such a limit on your phone.
• Audio recording: Decide if you want to capture external audio. When needed, turn microphone recording on or off, usually found in the screen recorder options.
• Post-editing: You may want to edit your video after recording. Both Android and iOS provide in-built basic editing functions, while many third-party apps offer advanced editing features.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you're having trouble screen recording, consider these tips:

• Update your software: Make sure your device's operating system is up to date, as out-of-date software may not support screen recording properly.
• Free up storage: Screen recording can take up a lot of storage space. Make sure you have enough space on your device to save the recording.
• Permission issues: Some apps don't allow screen recording due to privacy concerns, so keep this in mind if you run into problems with specific apps.
• Restarts and hangs: If your device acts erratically during or after recording, restart it. Temporary memory issues may affect performance when saving long or high-resolution recordings.

When to use screen recording

You may find screen recording particularly useful in the following scenarios:

• Tutorials: Create videos to teach others how to use an app or device feature.
• Game Streaming: Capture gameplay to share your gaming achievements or review games.
• Presentations: Record slide shows or presentations with your voice commentary.
• Video calls: Keep a record of important video calls to review later.

Whether you're an Android enthusiast or an Apple fanatic, knowing how to enable and use screen recording can prepare you for a variety of creative and practical endeavors. With this comprehensive guide, you'll now be able to start recording your screen and utilize the full potential of your mobile device. Remember, each device may have some slight differences, so explore your specific phone's capabilities to make your screen recording experience the best it can be.

Screen recording can change the way you interact with your devices, offering new ways to capture and share your screen experiences. With a mix of built-in tools and powerful third-party apps, you're equipped to master screen recording, whether you're documenting live webinars, providing technical support, or just capturing moments for fun. Dive in, experiment, and get creative with your screen recording skills.

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