How to record your Android screen: Complete guide, tips, and all the options

La screen recording on Android It has become a fundamental feature for those who want to capture, explain, share, or archive digital moments directly from their mobile device. Whether you're creating tutorials, recording gameplay, documenting technical issues, or sharing educational and professional content, you can record everything you see and hear on screen with just a few steps and without having to be an advanced user. Furthermore, the integration of native features and the wide range of specialized apps have made screen recording on Android a simple and flexible process.

Why record your Android screen?

The utilities of the screen recording are multiple and go beyond simply capturing what happens on the mobile. Some of the Main reasons to record the screen include:

• Tutorials and visual guides: Ideal for explaining step-by-step processes, apps, or settings to family, friends, students, or clients.
• Sharing games and achievements in video games: Allows you to record gameplay with sound and movements, share strategies or show results.
• Document technical issues: Very useful for sending to technical support or for forums, helping other users see the problem in real time.
• Make dynamic presentations: For work, education, or leisure, displaying apps, web pages, and resources with scrolling.
• Create content for social media: Provides original material with sound, image, and voiceover capabilities, ideal for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
• Safeguard ephemeral information: Temporarily saves information that you may lose (messages, stories, results, instructions, internal processes).

The versatility of this feature is enhanced by the ability to edit videos later, adding effects, voiceovers, music, and making quick cuts to share only what's relevant.

Main features of screen recording on Android

La evolution of Android has led to this feature being adaptable to almost any need:

• Internal and external audio recording: You can choose whether to capture sound from the system, the microphone, or both simultaneously.
• Different recording qualities: : Set resolution (480p up to 4K on some models), frame rate, and bitrate to optimize video size or sharpness.
• Integrated Basic EditionSome Android apps and layers allow you to crop, add text, draw, or highlight areas during or after recording.
• Recording long scrolls: Although primarily available for still captures, several apps allow you to record while scrolling and display long chats or web pages.
• Option to show touches on screen: Facilitates the understanding of tutorials and explanations by showing points where the user clicks.
• Control over notifications: You can hide or show them as you prefer, avoiding leaks of private information.
• Live streaming: Some apps allow you to broadcast mobile content live to YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.

These functions vary depending on the make, model, and Android version that you have.

Does your Android phone have a native screen recorder?

Currently, most Android devices incorporate serial screen recorder, located in the Quick Settings panel, visible by swiping twice from the top of the screen. Look for an icon labeled "Screen Recorder," "Screen Recorder," or similar.

1. Swipe down twice from the top to open quick settings.
2. Locate the screen recording iconIf you don't see it, click "Edit" (or the pencil icon) and add it to the visible list.
3. Click on the icon To get started, you can configure whether you want to record audio (system, microphone, or both), display taps, and other options.
4. Grant the necessary permissions: microphone, storage, overlay, as requested.
5. After the countdown, recording will begin and a floating bubble or notification will appear on the screen.
6. To stop, pull down the notification panel and tap the stop recording option.
7. The video will be automatically saved to your gallery in a folder called “Screen Recordings” or “Movies.”

If your phone doesn't have this feature, you can also consider using external apps or making recordings from a PC by mirroring the phone's screen.

What if your Android phone doesn't have a native screen recorder?

Despite widespread adoption since Android 11, some older models or those with heavily customized skins don't have this feature pre-installed. In these cases, you have several options:

• Search the manufacturer's store: Some have their own apps like “Screen Recorder” on Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, etc.
• Install third-party apps: From Google Play, such as AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen, DU Recorder, among others.
• Check permissions and compatibility: Make sure you grant permissions and that the app is compatible with your version of Android.

The best apps to record screen on Android

Using specialized apps expands capabilities, offers unique features, and makes editing and managing videos easier. Some of the most recommended are:

AZ Screen Recorder

• Allows recording in customizable quality, up to Full HD and 60 FPS, with various bitrate options.
• Records internal and external audio simultaneously.
• Includes floating widget for quick recording control.
• Allows live streaming to platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, etc.
• Built-in editing function: crop, add music, effects, subtitles and draw on screen.
• It does not add watermarks in its free version.
• Night mode and quick captures.

Mobizen Screen Recorder

• High-quality recording in Full HD and Quad HD, with support for up to 60 FPS.
• Facecam mode to include the front camera in the recording.
• Integrated editor for effects, music and subtitles.
• Clean Mode: No watermarks.
• Allows you to save to internal or SD memory.
• Quick access via the floating circle (“Air Circle”).

Game Screen Recorder

• Automatically detects installed games and can record upon startup.
• Allows you to configure resolution, FPS and bit rate per application.
• Records internal and external sound.
• Allows you to edit and trim videos.

Screen Recorder

• Simple and lightweight, recording video and audio in various qualities.
• Allows you to make annotations in real time (draw while recording).
• Front camera overlay for face recordings.
• Optimized for low consumption.

Vidma Video Studio

• No watermarks or recording time limits.
• Includes advanced editing tools and customizable shortcuts.
• Allows you to record screen and internal audio on recent versions of Android.

DU Recorder, ScreenCam and Video Recorder

• DU Recorder: Stable with basic editing and sharing features.
• ScreenCam: Lightweight, ideal for budget phones, and ad-free.
• Rec: Advanced options for quality, duration, sounds, and overlays, with in-app purchases to remove ads.

Always remember to choose highly rated apps that don't require root and grant the appropriate permissions after installation.

How to record the screen on Android step by step

To do it correctly, follow this guide:

1. Open the screen, app, or game you want to record.
2. Swipe twice from the top to open the quick settings.
3. Search and click on “Record screen”. If it isn’t there, edit and add it from the “Edit” option.
4. Configure options such as audio, display touches, quality, etc.
5. Click on "Start” and wait for the countdown.
6. During recording, you can pause or stop from the notification or floating bubble.
7. The video will be stored in the gallery, in the “Screen Recordings” or “Movies” folder.

In external apps, the process is similar: open the app, adjust quality and permissions, and manage recording via widget or notification.

Can you record with scrolling on Android?

Starting with Android 12, the ability to take scrolling screenshots for still images has been added. In video, it's not yet common for apps to allow automatic scrolling recording, although some custom layers do support it. Scrolling recording in video is typically done manually by scrolling the content while recording, and it's reflected in the final file.

How to edit, manage, and share your screen recordings

Once recorded, your videos are stored in your gallery in folders like "Movies," "Screen Recordings," "Movies," or similar. From there, you can:

• Reproduce recording with any player.
• Edit the video to trim, add music, voice, effects, text, stickers or transitions, using editing apps or the recorder app itself.
• Share directly to WhatsApp, Instagram, email, or upload to the cloud, without losing quality.
• Delete or save to the cloud to free up space, using Google Photos, Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Legal limitations and restrictions on screen recording

It is important to know the technical and legal limits:

• Protected apps: Android blocks recording in banking apps, DRM streaming (such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video), encrypted video calls, etc., showing a black screen or restriction warnings.
• Privacy : It is recommended to activate “Do Not Disturb Mode” to avoid notifications in recordings and protect sensitive data.
• local lawsRecording calls, private conversations, or sharing content without consent may be illegal in some countries. Get informed before distributing recordings containing personal information.
• compatibility and performance: On older or resource-limited devices, recording may be of lower quality or contain errors.

What if your phone can't record the screen?

If you don't have a native recorder or compatible apps, consider:

• Update the operating system: New versions usually incorporate this feature.
• Use trusted third-party apps: Such as AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen, DU Recorder, etc.
• Mirror screen on PC: Programs like Vysor or scrcpy allow you to record from your computer.
• Explore recording options via connectivity: Some brands offer their own app on the phone or through official applications.

The best apps for recording screens on Android

Specialized applications expand functionality and offer additional editing and management tools. Recommended:

AZ Screen Recorder

• High customization in quality, fps and bitrate.
• Internal and external audio recording.
• Floating widget for quick control.
• Live streaming to platforms.
• Integrated editor for clipping, music, effects and drawing.
• No watermarks in free version.

Mobizen Screen Recorder

• HD and Quad HD recording, up to 60 FPS.
• Facecam mode to include face in video.
• Editor with effects and music.
• Option to record without watermarks.
• Store internally or SD.
• Quick access via floating circle.

Game Screen Recorder

• Automatically detects games and records them.
• Set resolution, FPS, bitrate per app.
• Records audio and allows editing of clips.

Screen Recorder

• Simple, with real-time annotations.
• Allows front camera overlay.
• Opt for adjustable quality.

Vidma Video Studio

• No watermarks or time limits.
• Advanced editing features and shortcuts.
• Allows recording with internal audio in recent versions.

DU Recorder, ScreenCam and Rec

• DU Recorder: stable and with basic editing.
• ScreenCam: lightweight and for basic mobile phones.
• Rec: Advanced and free options.

Remember to choose highly rated apps, without root and with correct permissions.

How to record the screen on Android step by step

Steps to record correctly:

1. Open the screen, app, or game you want to record.
2. Swipe twice from the top to access the quick settings.
3. Choose "Record screen” or similar. If it isn’t there, add it in “Edit”.
4. Configure audio, display touches, and resolution if the app or system allows it.
5. Click on "Start” and wait for the countdown.
6. Stop recording from the notification or floating bubble when you're done.
7. The video will appear in the gallery in the “Recordings” or “Movies” folder.

With external apps, the process is similar: configure quality, permissions, and manage them from the widget or notification.

Can you record with scrolling?

Since Android 12, the ability to capture scrolling screenshots in still images has become official. For videos, there's no universal support yet, although some custom layers allow you to record while scrolling manually. To record while moving, you must scroll on the screen while recording, and that movement will be saved in the video.

How to edit, manage, and share your recordings

After recording, videos are stored in the gallery in folders like "Movies," "Screen Recordings," "Movies," or similar. From there, you can:

• Reproduce with your favorite player.
• Edit video with clippings, music, voice, effects, text or stickers, using apps like InShot, CapCut, Kinemaster or Google Photos.
• Share directly on social networks or via messaging, maintaining quality.
• Delete or upload to the cloud to free up space, using Google Photos, Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Legal limitations and restrictions

Remember that:

• Protected apps: Android blocks recording in apps with DRM, protected streaming, or encrypted video calls, resulting in a black screen or warnings.
• Privacy : Use “Do Not Disturb Mode” to avoid notifications and protect your data.
• local legislationRecording calls or sharing content without consent may be illegal; check your country's laws.
• Compatibility: On older devices, there may be lower performance or quality.

What if you can't record the screen?

If you don't have native functionality or supported apps, try:

• Upgrade the system: New versions often incorporate the feature.
• Third party apps: Choose the best rated and without root.
• Mirror on PC: Use programs like Vysor or scrcpy to record from your computer by mirroring your screen.
• Use connections: Some manufacturers offer specific solutions or their own apps.

FAQs

• Can I record calls or video calls? Generally, no, due to technical and legal restrictions. Some specific apps allow it, but with limitations, and always check local laws.
• How to delete recordings that take up a lot of space? From the gallery or file manager, or using Google Photos or Drive to archive and free up space.
• Can you record only part of the screen? Most apps record the entire screen, although some advanced ones allow you to select specific areas on a PC or with root.
• Why do I sometimes get a black screen? In protected apps, for security or DRM, recording is not possible, showing a black screen.

Tips for better use

• Activate “Do Not Disturb Mode” to avoid interruptions.
• Choose appropriate quality and bitrate: 720p for social media, maximum for editing or presentations.
• Crop and edit to have only what is relevant.
• Use voice-over if you need to explain or comment.
• Organize your videos in folders and delete what is unnecessary.
• Check out the advanced features from the manufacturer to take advantage of extra options (programming, quality, overlays).
• Avoid displaying confidential data on screen during recording.

Screen recording on Android continues to be a powerful, versatile, and accessible tool for all users, evolving alongside the operating system and available apps. From improved native features on many devices to third-party apps with advanced features, you have everything you need to capture, edit, and share your digital moments with ease, quality, and privacy.