Regardless of whether you use a Mac, a PC, an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, there are ways to get your hands on screen recording goods. Anyone can learn how to record their screen on a mobile device. Whether you’re trying to record a tour of your website, demonstrate your computer prowess, demonstrate how to use a new software program, or simply want to put together a fun and instructional video, knowing how to screen record is an essential skill.
How to Record Your Screen for Free
How To Screen Record On A Desktop/Laptop Device
The majority of laptops and desktop computers have screen capturing software already installed. You may capture your screen on Windows and Mac computers without downloading any additional software or browser add-ons. Although these native screen recorders are practical, they aren’t always trustworthy and don’t always offer the greatest results.
Below, we’ll go over how to record your screen on both Windows and Mac computers. We’ll discuss screen recording software that creates recordings of higher quality later on in the post.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about screen recording on any device after watching this video.
How To Screen Record On Mac
If you have a Mac running macOS Mojave or a later version, you can rely on a few built-in solutions for screen recording. Macs running more recent versions of macOS contain a feature that enables keyboard shortcuts for screen recording. QuickTime, which comes pre-installed on all Macs, may also be used to record your screen. We’ll outline the guidelines for both recording techniques below.
Follow these steps to start recording your Mac screen with a few taps on your keyboard:
Step 1: Hold down Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard.
Step 2: Choose if you’d like to capture your entire screen, a portion of the screen, or a window that’s open on your screen.
Step 3: When you’re finished recording, click Stop.
Step 4: Click on the thumbnail that appears in the lower right corner of your screen. Choose where you want to save your screen recording.
Use these steps to record your Mac screen with QuickTime:
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player.
Step 2: Click File and then choose New Screen Recording.
Step 3: Click on the Record button to begin.
Step 4: Click Record again to stop recording when you’re finished.
Step 5: Click File and then Save to choose where your recording is stored.
How To Screen Record On Windows
To record your screen with PowerPoint, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint on your PC.
Step 2: Select Blank Presentation.
Step 3: Click on the Insert tab and choose Screen Recording on the far right.
Step 4: Your screen will gray out. Select the area of your screen you want to capture for a partial screen recording. If you want to record your full screen, hold the Windows Key + Shift + F.
Step 5: Click the Record button. A three-second countdown will appear before your screen starts being recorded.
Step 6: The recording options will disappear from your screen while recording. Hover your mouse over the top of your screen to get them to appear again. Click Stop to end your recording.
Step 7: Your recording will appear as a thumbnail in PowerPoint. Right-click the thumbnail and choose Save Media As to save your recording as a video file.
To use the Xbox app on your PC for screen recording, take the following steps:
Step 1: The Xbox app can only be used to record one window on your screen at a time. Before you open the app, select the window on your PC screen you want to record.
Step 2: Open Xbox Game Bar from the Start Menu or hold down the Windows Key + G on your keyboard.
Step 3: Click the Record button in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 4: Click the Stop button when you’re finished recording.
Step 5: Your recording will be saved to the Videos folder on your PC. To access your recordings, select Show All Captures and then click the folder icon to open File Explorer and manage your recordings.
How To Screen Record On Chromebook
A built-in recording capability on Chromebooks makes it simple to record your screen. You can record a screenshot or a video of what is on your screen with the recorder. You have the choice to examine, edit, and share your recordings after you’ve finished recording.
Take the following steps to record your Chromebook screen:
Step 1: Hold down Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows.
Step 2: From the menu at the bottom, choose Screen Record.
Step 3: Select whether you want to record your full screen, a selected portion of your screen, or a window you have open.
Step 4: Click Stop Recording when you’re finished.
Step 5: Locate your recording in your Videos Folder to view, edit, and share.
How To Screen Record On A Mobile Device
Since the majority of modern mobile devices have native recording capabilities, recording the screen of your mobile device is easy. The quality of the built-in recorder on your phone isn’t the best, so we wouldn’t advise using it to record a podcast or expert interview. Nevertheless, having the choice is useful. Learn how to screen record on an iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and an Android device by reading on.
How To Screen Record On iPhone
You can record voice and video directly from the screen of your iPhone if you have iOS 14 or a more recent version of iOS downloaded. You cannot utilize the iPhone’s screen recording feature and the screen mirroring feature at the same time. Additionally, you might not be able to record with audio on some apps. We advise using video recording software with an iOS app for the highest quality without recording restrictions.
How To Screen Record On iPhone 11 and iPhone 12
Newer models of the iPhone have the capability to screen record without downloading a third-party app. Follow this step-by-step guide to record what’s on your iPhone’s screen:
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Control Center. Tap the + icon next to Screen Recording.
Step 2: Return to your iPhone’s home screen and open the Control Center by swiping down in the upper right corner of your screen.
Step 3: Hold down the gray Record button.
Step 4: Tap the Microphone button to enable your mic and select where you want to save your recording from the scrolling menu. You can save a recording in the Photos App or other apps you’ve downloaded that support video.
Step 5: Tap Start Recording and a three-second countdown will appear.
Step 6: Stop recording by tapping the red status bar at the top of the screen and selecting Stop. You can also stop recording by opening the Control Center and tapping the red Record button.
How To Screen Record On Android Devices
Most versions of Android have built-in recording features for mobile devices. However, it’s a bit trickier to access the screen recording features on versions of Android older than Android 11.
How to Screen Record on Android 11:
Step 1: Go to Quick Setting and tap Screen Recorder.
Step 2: Select the audio and video settings for your recording and tap Done.
Step 3: The first time you record you’ll have to grant permission for the app to access your device.
Step 4: Tap Start Recording.
Step 5: Press the Stop button to end your recording.
Step 6: Access your recording in the Gallery or Photos App.
How to Screen Record With Older Versions of Android:
Step 1: Enable your device’s Developer Mode. Go to Settings, then About Phone, then tap Build Number seven times. You’ll receive a notification that you’re now a developer.
Step 2: Go back to Settings and choose Advanced, then Developer Options, and finally Feature Flags.
Step 3: Toggle settings_screenrecord_long_press to On.
Step 4: Press and hold the Screenshot Button.
Step 5: In the popup menu, select Start Recording. A new popup will display.
Step 6: Tap Start Now.
Step 7: Tap Stop when you’re ready to end your recording.
Step 8: Access your screen recording in your Default Photo Gallery.
How To Screen Record On A Tablet
Tablets combine larger screens often found on laptops with the portability of a phone. They are therefore excellent for watching and recording video. Let’s discuss how to screen record on an iPad and other tablets.
How To Screen Record On iPad
The procedure for completing a screen capture on an iPad is the same as it is for an iPhone. The same operating system powers both iPhones and iPads, so as long as you have iOS 14 or a more recent version of the program, you can record your screen on an iPad.
Use the steps below to record the screen of an iPad:
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Control Center. Tap the + icon next to Screen Recording.
Step 2: Return to your iPhone’s home screen and open the Control Center by swiping down in the upper right corner of your screen.
Step 3: Hold down the gray Record button.
Step 4: Tap the Microphone button to enable your mic and select where you want to save your recording from the scrolling menu.
Step 5: Tap Start Recording and a three-second countdown will appear.
Step 6: Stop recording by tapping the red status bar at the top of the screen and selecting Stop. You can also stop recording by opening the Control Center and tapping the red Record button.
How to Record Your Screen on Galaxy Tab A 10.1
The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 is a well-known Android tablet featuring a simple-to-use built-in recorder for recording HD footage from your screen. One significant function that this tablet offers that other iterations of the Galaxy Tab don’t is screen recording.
Follow the below steps to start recording from your Galaxy Tab’s screen:
Step 1: From the top of your tablet’s screen, swipe down to open the Notification Panel.
Step 2: In the Quick Toggle Options, press and hold the Screen Recorder toggle.
Step 3: Select the recording quality (480p, 720p, or 1090p) from the Screen Recording Settings menu that pops up.
Step 4: Choose where you want to use a Microphone, Media Sound (sound from your tablet), or No Sound for audio recording.
Step 5: After choosing your settings, go to the Notification Bar and click the Screen Recorder toggle.
Step 6: Choose your sound source and click Start Recording.
Step 7: Click the Stop button when you’re finished recording.
Step 8: Your recording will be saved in the Gallery App in the Screen Recordings Folder.
How to Record Your Screen on Lenovo Yoga Tablet
Another Android tablet with simple-to-use native screen recording features is the Lenovo Yoga. Before attempting to record your screen, make sure the OS on your Yoga tablet is the most recent version. Older Android software versions won’t let you record your screen.
Follow the below steps to start recording from your Galaxy Tab’s screen:
Step 1: From the top of your tablet’s screen, swipe down to open the Notification Panel.
Step 2: In the Quick Toggle Options, press and hold the Screen Recorder toggle.
Step 3: Select the recording quality (480p, 720p, or 1090p) from the Screen Recording Settings menu that pops up.
Step 4: Choose where you want to use a Microphone, Media Sound (sound from your tablet), or No Sound for audio recording.
Step 5: After choosing your settings, go to the Notification Bar and click the Screen Recorder toggle.
Step 6: Choose your sound source and click Start Recording.
Step 7: Click the Stop button when you’re finished recording.
Step 8: Your recording will be saved in the Gallery App in the Screen Recordings Folder.
How to Record Your Screen on Lenovo Yoga Tablet
The Lenovo Yoga is another Android tablet with easy-to-use native screen recording capabilities. Make sure you update your Yoga tablet’s OS to the most up-to-date version before trying to record your screen. You won’t be able to screen record with older Android software versions.
Use these steps to begin recording your Lenovo Tablet’s screen:
Step 1: Open your Quick Access Panel and add the Screen Recording icon to it by clicking the edit button in the upper right corner.
Step 2: Locate the Screen Recording icon from the options. Press and hold the icon and drag it to the top of the screen. Release it to add it to the Quick Access Panel.
Step 3: From the Quick Access Panel, tap the Screen Recorder icon you just added.
Step 4: Choose the recording settings for your audio and video.
Step 5: Tap Start to begin recording.
Step 6: When you’re finished recording, tap Stop in the upper left corner of the screen.
Record Your Screen Using Recording Software
We recommend using screen recording software if you want to capture your screen to record a webinar, video interviews, or other content. While the built-in screen recorders included on most devices are convenient, they don’t deliver the quality and performance recording software does. Screen recording software not only lets you capture what’s on your screen, but also provides editing and social sharing options.
Some of the benefits of using screen recording software include:
- Improved audio and video quality
- More reliability
- Separate audio and video recording
- Easier video sharing on social platforms
Some of the best features to look for in a screen recording program include:
- Localized recording capabilities
- Online publishing and sharing features
- All-in-one recording and editing
- Automated editing features
Best Screen Recording Software for a Desktop/Laptop
Riverside.fm offers a powerful screen recording program that captures video in 4K quality. It’s one of the easiest ways to record professional audio and video from your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. Major brands and content creators use Riverside.fm because it provides fast and secure recordings and has advanced features that streamline the recording and editing process.
Some features that make Riverside.fm our choice for best desktop/laptop screen recording program:
- Localized, double-ender recording for professional-level quality
- Automated editing features via the Magic Editor Tool
- Chrome browser recording that’s compatible with any operating system
- Automated transcription services
- Screen sharing and split-screen capabilities
Record Your Screen on Any Device
Most devices have built-in screen recording features that are easy to use once you set them up and become familiar with your device’s interface. You can use the native recorders on your laptop, phone, or tablet to record your screen, but we recommend using recording software or recording apps instead. The built-in recording features included on desktop and mobile devices are convenient but don’t always provide the same quality you get with screen recording software.
Screen Recorder
The best free screen recorders help you capture everything on your screen and convert it to video. If you need to record assets for work, education, games streaming, and YouTubing, or you just want a free screen recorder for gaming, there’s plenty of great tools available that won’t cost you a penny.
1. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is unquestionably the greatest free screen recorder for you if you’re seeking for free game recording software. OBS Studio is open source and totally free to use without any limitations, unlike the immensely popular FRAPS (which only allows you to record for 30 seconds at a time unless you’ve purchased a license, and puts a watermark to the produced footage).
There are no limitations on the quantity or length of your works with OBS Studio, which allows both high definition streaming and recording. You can save projects and return to them later, stream live to Twitch or YouTube Gaming, or encode your video in FLV format and store it locally.
OBS Studio has customized hotkeys to control the recording and can record directly from your graphics card, allowing it to screen capture games that are running in full-screen mode (many other screen recorders can only record if the game is windowed). OBS Studio can record at 60FPS and fully utilize multi-core CPUs for better performance (or even higher).
The most effective free screen recorder for gaming is the highly capable OBS Studio, albeit it may take some time to configure it exactly how you want.
2. FlashBack Express
Our preferred free screen recording program is OBS Studio, but Flashback Express is a close second. FlashBack Express is a free screen recorder for PCs that does not include a watermark, despite being a free version of a commercial product. It also won’t have a time limit.
The screen capture tool is loaded with capabilities and features that may compete with many expensive products. If you’ve never used a free screen recorder before, it’s a great option because its interface is less scary than OBS Studio’s.
You have the option of recording from your entire screen, a window, a chosen region, or a webcam. When you’re done, your recording will display in a straightforward editor where you may cut and crop it to your specifications before exporting it to YouTube, an FTP site, or your computer.
All of those features are quite typical for a screen recorder, but spend some time exploring Flashback’s additional options. You’ll discover a plethora of carefully thought-out settings that will give your desktop captures a truly professional appearance. The free screen recording software for PC has features like automated password obscuring, plain wallpaper replacement, hiding disorganized desktop icons, and highlighting the mouse cursor for easy navigation. Additionally, you can choose the number of frames recorded per second in a special gaming mode.
Unless you decide to establish one, there is no length restriction on your recordings, which is advantageous if there’s a possibility that you might forget to turn the recorder off. Long recordings can also be divided into smaller segments, which is a wonderful feature that prevents you from building up large, cumbersome files. Additionally, your recordings won’t be watermarked.
After a recent update, Flashback Express can now export in WMV, AVI, and MP4 formats, doing away with the need for a separate video converter. Additionally, it no longer needs a free license key to be activated; all you need to do is install the recording software to begin recording video.
Free game recording software FBX was also made available by FlashBack creator Blueberry Software (opens in new tab). This recorder records HD in-game video with hardware acceleration for Intel CPUs, AMD, and Nvidia processors.
3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Try out Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder if you wish to capture a presentation, software demo, or instruction. Although this browser-based application might not be appropriate for video games, it is the finest free screen recorder for all other purposes.
When using Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder for the first time, you will be asked to download a small launcher program. After that, a control panel with more choices than in other desktop screen recording programs will be presented to you. You can record audio from your computer, a microphone, both, or neither, as well as video from your desktop or a camera.
If you want to record a clip for YouTube, for example, and don’t want to use a separate video editor to resize it later, you can record the entire screen, choose a region manually, or select one of the preset resolutions.
Additionally, for simplicity and speed, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder has programmable keyboard shortcuts. Choose from a variety of output formats, including MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, and many more. You can decide whether or not to record the cursor. Even while screen recording, annotations can be added.
When you’re done, you may email the recording to Google Drive or Dropbox, upload it directly to YouTube or Vimeo, save it as a video file or GIF, or all of the above. The clip can also be edited. If you choose this option, Apowersoft Video Editor will be downloaded as an extra component, allowing you to make quick edits before exporting your video in the format of your choice. a tool of the highest caliber.
The “Download desktop version” button, it should be noted, directs users to Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro. It has less features than Online Screen Recorder and is a trial version of a paid program.
How to Screen Record on Android
1. AZ Screen Recorder – No Root
More than a million people use the well-known Android screen capture software AZ Screen Recorder. It is simple to use and doesn’t need root access. There are no time restrictions on recording or watermarks. You can pause and resume recording while doing so, and you can produce HD and Full HD videos.
Your created films are automatically saved to the gallery. The software is also quite customisable. You can adjust the timer to stop, set the video resolution, bit rate, frame rate, and screen orientation. You can also share or delete recorded movies.
The pro edition of AZ Screen Recorder includes several more features like the Magic button, ad elimination, a countdown timer, etc. It may be purchased inside the app. However, the free edition already comes with the majority of required functions and has advertisements.
2. Mobizen – Record, Capture, Edit
You may record, capture, and edit any films, games, or apps with the help of Mobizen, a practical and simple-to-use screen recorder. It offers excellent video qualities, and the Facecam lets you record your response.
Additionally, this Android screen recorder comes with a number of video editing options. It enables free watermark elimination with Clean Recording Mode and doesn’t require root access. The app features in-app purchases and is supported by advertising but is free to download.
3. Google Play Games
The best screen recorder for Android may already be on your phone if you’re currently searching for one. A center for mobile gaming is not all that Google Play Games is. It has fairly effective built-in screen recording capabilities.
You can record anything you want, including apps and other content in addition to games. For users of more recent versions of Android, it might be the best choice.
To access the recording feature on an older Android device, you will need a rooted device. Up to 720p resolutions are supported. Without advertisements or in-app purchases, Google Play Games is free. However, the screen recording function might not be available in all nations.
4. ADV Screen Recorder
Another trustworthy screen recorder for Android that offers all the necessary functionality is ADV Screen Recorder. It gives you the option to capture the screen of your phone using two alternative engines. You can alter the clip’s resolution, frame rate, and bit rate, as well as write and draw on it.
You can use both the front and back cameras when recording. The recording can also be paused if necessary. Both a watermark and root access are not necessary for the Android screen capture software. It adds a 3-second countdown before beginning the screen capture. It is small, cost-free, and features in-app purchases in addition to advertisements.
5. Screen Recorder with Audio and Facecam, Screenshot
Another free screen recording app for Android is Screen Recorder. You can use the Facecam to capture your screen, take screenshots, and edit videos once they have been recorded. It doesn’t need a rooted device and doesn’t have a watermark.
Your recorded video can be saved in a variety of resolutions and formats. Even infinite time is available for recording audio and the screen. The software includes a straightforward user interface and no in-app purchases. However, it displays intrusive advertising.
6. Screen Recorder – Free No Ads
A fully functional screen recorder for Android, Screen Recorder is completely free and has no in-app purchases or advertisements. It doesn’t require root access, has no watermark, and is lightweight. You can customize your recordings with multiple resolutions, frame rates, bit rates, and text or a logo.
While recording, you can capture touch input, external audio, and Facecam. Additionally, a video trimmer is included, and you may select where to save your film. In addition to English, the app is accessible in many other languages.
7. Super Screen Recorder – No Root REC & Screenshot
An great Android screen recorder with a simple user interface and powerful video editing tools is Super Screen Recorder. There is no time restriction on the recordings, and a rooted smartphone is not necessary.
High-quality recordings in a range of resolutions, frame rates, and bit rates are offered by the app. While recording, you have the option to pause, resume, and hide the floating window.
You can draw over your clip using the brush tool, the Facecam, and the GIF Maker. By default, there is no watermark on it. However, if you want to display your brand, you can use the watermark feature. The app is ad-supported, free to download, and features in-app purchases.
8. DU recorder – Screen Recorder, Video Editor, Live
With over 10 million downloads, DU recorder is one of the top Android screen recording applications. It enables you to take a video of anything that is occurring on your screen.
Additionally, the video can be edited afterwards using the built-in editor. There is no time limit for recording, and root access is not necessary. However, it comes with a watermark that will appear on each video you produce.
Various resolutions, frame rates, bit rates, a front-facing camera, shake motions, a GIF generator, and other functions are available. Without requiring any in-app purchases, the entire functionality is included in the free version. Additionally, the Android screen capture app supports 20 different languages and is free of advertisements.
How to Record your Screen Windows 10
Record the Windows Screen with Xbox Game Bar
The Xbox Game Bar, which is a component of Windows 11 and Windows 10, provides a number of features aimed at enhancing your gaming experience, including easy access to Xbox chat and a glimpse into your CPU and GPU activities. Its ability to screen record MP4 films, whether you’re gaming or not, is its most valuable feature.
The Xbox Game Bar has one drawback: It can only record the screen of one application at a time and cannot record the Windows desktop or File Explorer. Therefore, you would need to gather a number of films if you wanted to demonstrate how to use an activity that involved several programs, such as creating a website in a code editor and then viewing it in a browser. And you can’t teach them how to use the Start menu or any other feature of the Windows 11 or 10 user interface. Use a different program, such as OBS, for those tasks; we’ll show you how to screen record using it later in this post.
1. Click into the app you wish to record.
2. Hit the Windows Key + Alt + R to start screen recording. A small recording widget showing how long you’ve been recording appears somewhere on the screen, most likely in a corner. You can also get here by launching the Xbox Gamebar (Windows Key + G) and then finding the capture widget, but the keyboard shortcut is much simpler.
3. Perform whatever actions you want and use your microphone to record audio. You can also mute the mic if you don’t want to capture any sound.
4. Hit the Windows Key + Alt + R again to stop screen recording. You can also hit the stop button on the widget You will get an alert that says “Game clip recorded. If you click on it, you will go into the Gallery section of the Gamebar app and be able to preview the video you captured. You can also find the MP4 file you recorded under your Videos/Captures folder.
Configuring Xbox Gamebar Screen Recording
While the default settings are probably fine for most people, there are a few options you can change.
1. Navigate to Settings->Gaming->Captures.
2. Change any of the following settings. Note that though they use the word “game,” the settings should apply to any app you record whether it’s a game or not.
- Record what happened (Win 11) / Background Recording (Win 10): this creates a 30-second (or greater if you change the settings) buffer of automatically recorded content. So if you are playing a game and just had an epic kill, you can hit Windows key + G to launch game bar and you can save the 30 seconds that just passed, even though you weren’t actively screen recording it. Note that the name of this setting is different in Windows 11 than 10, but the feature is the same.
- Max recording length: The amount of time after which screen recording will automatically shut off. I recommend leaving this at the default two hours.
- Capture audio when recording a game: By default, this records the sounds from your mic and the game itself, but excludes background sounds from Windows or your other apps. You can disable the audio recording entirely or enable it to record system sounds or change the balance.
- Video frame rate: defaults to 30 fps, but you can change it to 60 fps.
- Video quality: choose standard or high.
- Capture mouse cursor when recording a game: I recommend leaving this enabled, particularly if you are recording an app that is not a game.
Recording the Whole Screen with OBS Studio
The main disadvantage of utilizing the built-in Xbox Gamebar in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to screen record is that it can only be used with one app at a time and does not display the Windows desktop or File Explorer. You need a third-party tool to record your entire desktop and every window on it. While there are many options, we recommend OBS Studio for this.
OBS Studio is a favorite among game streamers because it’s cost-free and excellent at sending games to Twitch and other websites. Without ever streaming anything you do, you can also use OBS to capture the entire screen on Windows 11 and save it as an MP4 file.
1. Download, install and launch OBS Studio. When you launch OBS for the first time, if you haven’t already, you will be asked whether you want to optimize it for streaming or recording only. If you don’t plan to stream, choose “Optimize just for recording.”
2. Click the Plus icon under Sources to add a new source.
3. Select Display Capture.
4. Click Ok on the dialog box that pops up. You can give the source a name other than Display Capture if you’d like.
5. Choose a display and click Ok. If you have more than one monitor, this would allow you to have OBS on one screen while recording the activity on another. If you have only one monitor, there’s only one choice.
6. Click the Start Recording button in the lower right corner of the screen.
7. Minimize OBS if you are screen recording from the same monitor that OBS is on.
8. Click Stop Recording in OBS when you are finished.
By default, your screen recording videos will be located in the Windows 11 (or 10) Videos folder. They are stored, by default, in the .mkv file format. However, you can change the output to MP4 or MOV files by going to the Settings->Output menu in OBS.
Conclusion
The best method for capturing any type of event is screen recording. If you need to record a video for an advertisement campaign, a documentary, or just to recall the experience, screen recording can help you save time and create more documentary-style recordings. By choosing the best phone for screen recording, using the phone to record, and saving photographs and videos using screen recording, you can make sure that your recordings are of the highest quality and are straightforward to access.