How to Use Screen Recording on iPhone and Android

Screen recording has become an essential tool for creators, educators, gamers, and everyday users. Whether you’re making a tutorial, saving a video call, reporting a bug, or capturing gameplay, both iPhone and Android devices now offer built-in screen recording with microphone audio — no third-party apps required. In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to screen record on iPhone (iOS 18/19) and Android (Android 14/15/16), plus pro tips to get the best results.

Why Screen Record on Your Phone?

• Create quick how-to videos and tutorials
• Save fleeting social media stories or live streams
• Record video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, WhatsApp)
• Capture mobile gameplay with commentary
• Document app bugs for customer support
• Make reaction videos or meme compilations

Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions.

How to Screen Record on iPhone (iOS 18 & iOS 19 – 2025)

Apple added native screen recording in iOS 11, and it’s only gotten better.

Step 1: Add Screen Recording to Control Center

1. Open Settings → Control Center
2. Scroll down to “More Controls”
3. Tap the green “+” next to Screen Recording

Step 2: Start Recording

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner (Face ID iPhones) or up from the bottom (Home button models) to open Control Center
2. Long-press the Screen Recording button (circle inside a circle)
3. Tap the Microphone icon if you want to record your voice or external audio
4. Tap “Start Recording” — you’ll get a 3-second countdown

A red status bar or pill appears at the top of your screen while recording.

Step 3: Stop Recording

• Tap the red status bar/pill → Stop
• Or go back to Control Center and tap the glowing Screen Recording button

Your video automatically saves to the Photos app → Albums → Recents (or Screen Recordings folder on iOS 18+).

Pro Tips for iPhone Screen Recording (2025)

• Record FaceTime with audio: Enable microphone before starting
• Change save location: Settings → Control Center → Screen Recording → Save to Files option (iOS 18+)
• Lock orientation: Turn on Orientation Lock to prevent rotation mid-recording
• Edit instantly: After stopping, a preview thumbnail appears — tap it to trim or crop

How to Screen Record on Android (Stock Android 14, 15, One UI 7, Pixel 9 series – 2025)

Google introduced native screen recording in Android 11, and almost every manufacturer now includes it.

Method 1: Using Quick Settings Tile (Most Devices)

1. Swipe down twice from the top to expand Quick Settings
2. Look for “Screen Record” tile (if missing, tap the pencil icon → drag Screen Record into your active tiles)
3. Tap Screen Record
4. Choose:
   • Record audio: Device audio, Microphone, or Both
   • Show touches on screen: Yes/No
5. Tap Start → countdown begins

A floating toolbar or notification shows recording status.

Method 2: Samsung Galaxy (One UI 6/7 – 2025)

1. Swipe down → Quick Panel
2. Tap “Screen recorder” (add it via edit if needed)
3. Choose sound source: No sound, Media sounds, Media + Mic
4. Select video quality: 1080p, 720p, or higher on S24/S25 series
5. Optional: Enable “Record front camera” bubble for picture-in-picture reactions
6. Tap the red Record button

Method 3: Google Pixel (Android 15/16)

Same as stock Android, but with extra “Record with device audio only” option that captures internal sound even from apps that normally block it.

How to Stop Recording

• Tap the red square in the notification shade
• Or pull down the shade → tap “Stop”

Videos save to Movies/Screen recordings folder or Photos → Library → Movies.

Pro Tips for Android Screen Recording (2025)

• Use “Show touches” when making tutorials — viewers can see exactly where you tap
• Samsung’s front-camera bubble is perfect for reaction content
• Record at 60 FPS on flagship devices (check advanced settings)
• Use third-party apps like XRecorder or AZ Screen Recorder if you need countdown timers, drawing tools, or 4K recording

Common Questions & Troubleshooting (2025)

Q: Why is there no sound in my screen recording? → On iPhone: You must long-press and turn on the microphone for external audio. Internal audio is always captured. → On Android: Select “Media sounds” or “Media + Mic” — “Mic only” records voice but not app audio.

Q: Can I screen record Netflix/Disney+/YouTube without a black screen? Most streaming apps block screen recording for DRM reasons. You’ll get a black screen with audio on both iOS and Android.

Q: Where are my recordings saved?

• iPhone: Photos app
• Android: Internal storage → Movies or DCIM → Screen recordings

Q: How long can I record? Limited only by available storage. 1 hour of 1080p typically uses 3–5 GB.

Screen recording on both iPhone and Android is now incredibly simple and powerful in 2025. Whether you’re on an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 19 or a Samsung Galaxy S25 with One UI 7, you have everything you need built-in — no jailbreaking or rooting required.

Start creating tutorials, saving memories, or reporting issues today — just swipe, tap, and record!