Do you need a way to record your Android phone’s screen yet you don’t want to reply on another app or some unfamiliar paid service? Well, look no further, Android phones have this capability.
As of the Android 11 update, all Android phones have a built in screen recorder. On your phone, swipe down from the top beyond the notifications to view the menu. From there, you may need to swipe across to see “Screen Record” or select the edit button to bring it into your menu options.
Within this article I’m going to show you how to add this feature to your Android app, how best to use it, how to save your recordings and some other features that are nice to know.
See our video on how to locate and use the built in Android Screen Record feature here.
Where is the Android Screen Record Tool?
To reach the screen record tile pull the initial screen down, after opening your cell phone. When you see the Notifications area pull down the section at the top where the Flashlight and Bluetooth tiles are found. To add this feature, you will most likely need to go into “Edit” so click on the pencil tool at the bottom left of that screen. Scroll through the selections while swiping up until you have located the screen record tile and proceed to hold and drag your selection up to the “Quick Settings” menu. Now, go to the top of the screen and press the left facing arrow. The screen record tile is now ready for use.
How do I record my screen and audio on the android?
Return to the Quick Settings and select the tile labelled “Screen Record Start”. To begin, carefully read the warning offered under the heading “Start Recording?” to be sure to protect any sensitive and private information to ensure you don’t include that on your recording. This means audio, passwords, emails, pictures and such that you do not want others to see you’ll need to ensure they are safely tucked away from your audience and out of view. Always preview your video prior to sharing anything externally. Time to walk through the screen recorder.
First, let’s select our audio options we need in our recording.
Next to “Record audio Microphone” select the audio features you’d like to use in your recording. Your options consist of the following:
| Microphone | Records audio from the device's microphone alone. |
| Device Audio | Records only the audio from your device, such as games, videos, ringtones, music and other such audio from your device. |
| Microphone and Device Audio | Records both of the features above. |
To select your audio option, You’ll notice a toggle switch to the right of each selection. Just flip this toggle switch to select or deselect your choice.
The options within these audio settings are extremely useful features for this screen recorder. Not only can you record your screen but you can actually produce an entire video with just this simple built in recorder. It really works great!
Before recording, be aware that the microphone may pick up other noises in the room. Also, the microphone on your phone won’t provide top notch audio for your recordings like an exterior mic would. However, you’ll be able to capture decent audio using this built in resource. We think this is a good screen recorder, especially for one that is built-in and free.
Next, decide if you want your touches on the screen to appear while recording. This option is utilized while recording tutorials and helps your audience follow along with what you’re doing on the screen. Once again, use the toggle switch to select or deselect this feature.
Finally, press Start.
Notice that a small red indicator symbol will appear at the top of the screen on your smartphone. This will be your countdown for the recording to begin. Once you are finished with your recording, pull the Notification screen down in order to tap the red indicator strip to stop the recording. Are you ready to review your recording? Let’s go to the next step!
How to view your Android screen recording and other features
Soon after the recording is completed you will receive a notification that your recording is ready to view. From this notification labeled Screen Recorder, you can share, delete or tap to view. Once viewing is completed, you can find your video within the Google Photos Library –> Movies.
After viewing, you once again have the options to either share, delete or even edit your video. The video editing options are not as robust as some other tools but allow you to trim the edges, flip the screen, stabilize the video and export the frame.
How do you save your video outside of Google Photos?
The share feature within the Screen Recorder tool allows you to share your video using the usual tools such as email, text message, and several others. You can also save your file over to Google Drive or other apps you may have installed. Easy peasy!
How do you delete the recording / video?
Some of the options for deleting your recording where mentioned above. However, once you have made your video recording and have reviewed your work, you may decide that you want to delete it and try again. So, how do you delete it?
To delete from Google Drive simply enter your Google Drive app and locate your recording which should appear at the top of the list unless you saved it within a folder. Utilize the following steps to delete:
- Tap the item of choice to open it.
- Tap the three dots to the right of description.
- Scroll down the list of functions until you locate the word “Remove”.
- Tap on Remove and the item you selected will be deleted from your list.
- Now click on “Move to Trash”
Another option to delete your video recording that we alluded to above:
- Swipe up the screen after stopping the recording.
- Select “Delete from device ”. This will open another screen.
- Tap “Delete from device” on the small screen and your selection will be permanently deleted from your smartphone.
Although some Android phones have had built in screen recorders for some time, Android made the great decision of building in a feature within update 11. If you have an Android phone and you find yourself in need of a quick and easy way to make a screen recording for a project or just for fun, check this out.
You don’t need an app as Android 11 included screen recording capabilities on everyone’s phone. This is a basic screen recording tool but its actually pretty nice. Best part its free so no need to spend any money!
Summary
Do Android phones have a built-in screen recorder?
Android phones do have screen recording capabilities. This feature was added with the Android 11 update back in 2020.
How do you record your screen on Android without an app?
Utilize the free built-in screen recording tool described above for Android. This tool offers screen recording capabilities along with internal and external audio recording, shows touches on the screen so your audience can follow along, as well as some basic editing features.
Related Info
How to screenshot on Android?
As of the date of the writing of this article, a screenshot can be taken on most Android phones (not all) by holding down the power and volume down buttons for a couple of seconds. Also, some can execute a screenshot by clicking on the overview button (the square button on the bottom right of your phone’s screen) and then selecting “Screenshot”. You can also ask Google Assistance to take a screenshot.
7 Mistakes to avoid when using screen a recorder
- Where am I? You have too many icons on your home screen which causes confusion for the viewer.
- You just gave away your credit card password. Don’t accidentally reveal private information.
- Is this thing on? You don’t turn on your microphone.
- Huh? You pick up too much background noise in your recording.
- You just move to darn fast! No one can follow where you’re leading.
- Your notifications are going off like crazy! Turn those off.
- Unscripted content. Too many “ums” and “you knows”.