By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every screen recording method in this guide on Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and Motorola Edge running Android 15. We verified the built-in screen recorder on each brand, audio capture settings (internal audio, microphone, both), video quality options, and third-party recording apps. All steps and recording quality confirmed working March 2026.
Every Android phone running Android 11 or newer has a built-in screen recorder — no app needed. It captures everything on your screen with options for internal audio (app sounds, game audio), microphone audio (your voice), or both. Here’s how to use it on every major Android brand.
How To Screen Record on Google Pixel (Stock Android)
- Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel.
- Tap Screen record. If you don’t see it, tap the pencil icon (edit) and drag Screen record into your Quick Settings tiles.
- Choose your audio source:
- Device audio — captures sounds from apps and media playing on the phone.
- Microphone — captures your voice only.
- Device audio and microphone — captures both.
- No audio — silent video.
- Toggle Show touches on screen if you want tap indicators visible in the recording.
- Tap Start. A 3-second countdown begins.
- To stop recording, swipe down the notification shade and tap Stop on the Screen Recorder notification.
Recordings are saved to Photos → Movies (or Files → Movies).
How To Screen Record on Samsung Galaxy
- Swipe down twice to open the full Quick Settings panel.
- Tap Screen recorder. (If it’s not visible, tap the + icon to add it.)
- Select sound options:
- No sound
- Media sounds — internal audio only.
- Media sounds and mic — both internal audio and microphone.
- Tap Start recording. A 3-second countdown plays.
- Use the floating toolbar to draw on screen, toggle front camera overlay, or stop recording.
- Tap the Stop button (square icon) to finish.
Recordings are saved to Gallery → Screen recordings.
Samsung also lets you adjust video quality in Settings → Advanced features → Screenshots and screen recorder → Video quality (High/Medium/Low).
How To Screen Record on OnePlus
- Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Screen Recorder.
- Choose audio options (internal audio, mic, or both).
- Tap the red record button to start.
- Tap the floating Stop button to end the recording.
Recordings are saved to Files → Movies → Screen Recordings.
How To Screen Record on Motorola
- Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Screen record.
- Select your audio preference.
- Tap Start.
- Stop via the notification shade or the floating button.
Screen Record on Older Android Phones (Pre-Android 11)
If your phone runs Android 10 or older and doesn’t have a built-in screen recorder, use a free third-party app:
AZ Screen Recorder — the most popular option. Free, no root required, no recording time limit, no watermark. Records in up to 1080p at 60fps. Supports internal audio capture on Android 10+.
Google Play Games — has a built-in recorder specifically for game recording. Open Play Games, select a game, and tap the camera icon to record gameplay.
Tips for Better Screen Recordings
Turn on Do Not Disturb before recording. Notifications popping up during your recording look unprofessional and may show private information.
Close unused apps before recording. Screen recording uses significant CPU and memory. Running too many apps simultaneously can cause frame drops and stuttering in the recording.
Use landscape for games and videos. Rotate your phone before starting the recording if the content is best viewed in landscape.
Check storage space. Screen recordings at 1080p use approximately 10-15 MB per minute. A 10-minute recording can be 100-150 MB. Make sure you have enough free space.
Choose the right audio setting. For tutorials where you’re narrating, use “Device audio and microphone.” For capturing app audio cleanly (like game sounds or music), use “Device audio” only to avoid background noise from your mic.
Apps That Block Screen Recording
Some apps prevent screen recording for security or copyright reasons. Banking and financial apps typically block recording and will show a black screen in the captured video. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video also block recording to prevent piracy. Snapchat may notify the other person if you screen record a conversation.
More Android How-To Guides From DevX
- How To Screen Record on Samsung
- How To Take a Screenshot on Samsung
- How To Take a Screenshot on Android
- How To Do Split Screen on Android
- How To Connect Phone to TV
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I screen record with internal audio on Android?
Yes, on Android 10 and newer. The built-in screen recorder on Android 11+ supports internal audio capture natively. On Android 10, some manufacturers (Samsung, OnePlus) added this feature in their custom implementations. Third-party apps like AZ Screen Recorder also support internal audio on Android 10+.
Is there a time limit for screen recording?
No. Android’s built-in screen recorder has no time limit. Recording continues until you stop it, run out of storage, or the battery dies. Practically, very long recordings (1+ hours) create large files — check your available storage before extended recording sessions.
Why is my screen recording laggy?
Screen recording uses significant CPU resources. Close unnecessary background apps, reduce the recording quality to 720p if available, and make sure your phone isn’t overheating. Older phones with less RAM may struggle with smooth recording during resource-intensive tasks like gaming.
Can I edit screen recordings on my phone?
Yes. After recording, open the video in your Gallery or Photos app and use the built-in editor to trim, crop, add filters, or adjust playback speed. Samsung Gallery and Google Photos both have capable video editors.
Where are screen recordings saved?
On Pixel: Photos app → Library → Movies (or Files → Movies). On Samsung: Gallery → Screen recordings (or My Files → DCIM → Screen recordings). On OnePlus/Motorola: Files → Movies → Screen Recordings.
