How to Record Your iPad Screen With Audio

Before you start

The screen recording feature is built into iPadOS, so the capture happens locally on the device. You do not need a computer, an app account, or an online service. The recorder can capture sound from the microphone while it records the screen. If the microphone is off, the video will still be created, but it will not contain commentary or room sound. Check that the iPad is running a version of iPadOS that includes screen recording and that the Control Center already has the screen recording button available.

Step-by-step instructions

The quickest method is to start recording from Control Center and keep the microphone enabled throughout the capture.

Add the screen recording control

If you already see the screen recording button in Control Center, skip to the next step.

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Control Center.
• Check the Included Controls list for Screen Recording.
• If it is not there, scroll to More Controls and tap the add button next to Screen Recording.

Start a recording with the microphone on

• Open the screen or app you want to capture.
• Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
• Press and hold the Screen Recording button instead of tapping it once.
• Tap the Microphone button so that it shows Microphone On.
• Tap Start Recording.
• Wait for the countdown to finish.
• Do what you want to record, including speaking if you want microphone sound.
• Open Control Center again and tap the red Screen Recording button to stop.
• Tap Stop Recording in the confirmation message if it appears.

The recording is saved to the Photos app shortly after you stop. If you only tap the Screen Recording button briefly, the recording may begin with the microphone off. Pressing and holding the button gives you the microphone control before the capture starts.

Check the output

Go to the Photos app and open the newest video. Play it to check that the screen motion is visible and that speech or room sound is present at the expected level. The saved file is a video, so audio is part of the clip rather than a separate file. Screen recording is designed for on-screen activity and microphone input; it is not a dedicated multi-track capture tool, so sound quality depends on the built-in microphone and the distance between the iPad and the sound source.

If the clip looks correct but is silent, begin troubleshooting by replaying it away from the silent switch or volume-down state that can make playback seem empty. Open a separate video or song to confirm that the iPad speaker is producing sound at all.

Common problems and next steps

The video records but has no sound

The usual cause is that the microphone was off when the recording started. Record a short test clip and check the Microphone button carefully before the countdown ends. The microphone setting must be enabled for every new recording; a previous recording with sound does not keep the microphone on for the next one.

Audio is too quiet or noisy

Move the iPad closer to the sound source and reduce background noise before you record. Speak toward the built-in microphone rather than covering it. The recorder uses the device's default audio input, so a connected microphone or headset microphone may be selected as the capture source depending on the setup.

Screen Recording is missing or unavailable

Add the control from Settings if it is absent. Some managed devices or apps may restrict screen capture, and a restricted app may produce a blank area or prevent the recording from starting. If the feature still does not work after the control is installed, update iPadOS or restart the iPad and try again.

After you have a usable clip, you can trim it in Photos or share the video file. If you need separate audio tracks or much higher audio quality for voice work, use a recording setup designed for that purpose rather than expecting the screen recorder to function as a full audio production tool.