How to record your phone screen on Android and iPhone
A screen recording shows exactly what is on your phone, with sound if you want it. It is useful for showing a friend how to do something, saving a video call tutorial or reporting a problem to a support team.
On iPhone
- Look in the Control Centre for the screen recording button. If it is not there, add it from the Control Centre section in Settings.
- Tap it. A short countdown starts and the recording begins.
- To stop, tap the red status bar or open the Control Centre and tap the button again.
- To record sound from the microphone, press and hold the button and look for the microphone option.
On Android
- Pull down the quick settings panel and look for Screen recorder (or Screen record). Most phones have it built in. The name varies by brand.
- If it is not in the first panel, swipe to the next page or use the edit option to add it.
- Choose whether to record sound from the phone, the microphone, or neither, then start.
- Stop it from the notification or the floating button.
If your phone has no built-in recorder, use a well-known app from the official store and check what permissions it asks for.
Where the recording goes
It is saved in your photo gallery, usually in a Screen recordings or similar album.
Make the recording useful
- Close apps you do not need first.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so notifications do not appear in the video.
- Keep it short. Long recordings are big files: phone storage full? how to free up space.
- Send large videos over Wi-Fi, not mobile data: how to reduce mobile data usage.
Privacy and rules
- Do not record while your passwords, bank details or other people’s messages are visible.
- Some apps, such as video and banking apps, block screen recording, so you may see a black screen. This is by design.
- Ask for permission before recording a call or a meeting with other people in it.
- Never share a recording of your screen with someone who contacted you unexpectedly. See how to spot phone scams.
