How to Use Built-In Screen Recording on Android

Before you start

This task uses the screen recorder included in Android. It records directly on the device, so no online service or extra account is required. Availability and menu wording can differ between Android versions and phone brands. On many current devices, the recorder appears as a Screen Record tile in Quick Settings; on others it may be listed as Screen recorder or Start recording.

Step-by-step instructions

1) Open Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen. Swipe down again if the full set of tiles is not visible.

2) Find the Screen Record tile. If it is not shown, tap the edit or pencil icon for Quick Settings and drag the tile into the active area.

3) Tap Screen Record. Depending on the device, you may see a short countdown or a setup prompt before recording starts.

4) When the setup prompt appears, choose whether to record audio. Available options may include device audio, microphone, or no sound. Some versions also offer a setting to show touches on the recording.

5) Start recording and perform the actions you want to capture. The recording continues while you switch between supported apps.

6) Stop recording from the persistent notification or the floating control, or by opening the notification shade and tapping Stop. The saved file is then processed and stored on the device.

Check the output

Open the phone's gallery or photos app and look for the newest video, often in a Screen recordings or Movies folder. Play it briefly to confirm that the expected screen area, audio, and length were captured. The file is normally saved as an MP4 video. Exact resolution and frame rate depend on the device model, display, and system version rather than a fixed universal setting.

Common problems and next steps

If the Screen Record tile is missing, use the Quick Settings edit option to add it. If a tile is not available in the edit list, check whether the phone places the built-in recorder inside another app or requires a system update.

When sound is absent from the recording, confirm the audio choice before recording. Device audio may not capture every source, and microphone audio is separate from internal sound. For an android screen recording example such as a video call, test a short clip first to see how the selected audio option behaves.

If the recording stops unexpectedly, check available storage space and avoid restricted screens such as some secure apps or DRM-protected playback, which may show a black area or block capture. For more control over resolution, frame rate, or separate audio tracks, use a dedicated screen recording app from the device's app store and review its permission and recording settings before use.