TechTalk

The latest tech reviews and inspiration from Currys

How to screen record on Android

Start capturing the content on your phone in seconds.

tips-and-updates

Article Main Image

Android smartphones and tablets come packed with loads of cool features, including a built-in screen recorder. This makes it easy to capture a tricky process you might struggle to remember, record a funny clip and send it to your friends, or if you love gaming — share gameplay footage to your hit YouTube channel!

In this guide, we'll show you how to record screen on Android devices and take screenshots. Plus, we’ll suggest some amazing third-party apps with a few more bells and whistles. And, action…

Capture video with Android's screen recorder

When Android 11 was rolled out in 2020, a screen recorder feature was added. So if you're using an Android phone or tablet running this OS or later, here's how to turn on screen record:

  1. Pull down from the top of your screen to open your Quick Settings.

  2. Tap the 'Screen record' icon. if you can't see it, swipe right to locate it. And if you still can't find it, tap 'Edit' and add 'Screen record' to your Quick Settings.

  3. You'll be asked whether you want to record device audio, through your device's mic (if you want to do a voice-over), or both. You can also choose whether to show touches on the screen during the recording.

  4. When you're ready, press 'Start screen recording' and you'll see a timer count down at the top of your screen.

  5. To stop recording, just swipe down from the top of your screen again and tap 'Stop'.

If you want to find and view the screen recording you just took, just head to your Photos app and you'll see it in the Movies folder in your Library.

Screen record on Android with a third-party app

The standard screen recorder on your Android device is easy to use and covers the basics. But if you want a tool that offers a bit more, there are some great third-party apps out there with enhanced features. Including the ability to change settings like the frame rate, resolution, and video orientation.

These apps are also a must-have if you're using an older Android phone or tablet. That’s because anything running Android 10 or lower won't have a built-in screen recorder. So, here are some of the best screen recording Android apps we could find:

  • AZ Screen Recorder: This free app lets you record videos, take screenshots, and even livestream your phone or tablet's screen to YouTube and Facebook. You can also edit your captures using the app's powerful editing tools and enable your camera so you're in your recordings too. Perfect for creating step-by-step video tutorials!

  • ADV Screen Recorder: This popular and free application is great as it lets you pause recordings when you need a break. And it even allows you to draw on the screen with your favourite colour, so it's a great choice if you're a content creator who wants to make how-to videos as clear as possible.

  • Screen Recorder Unlimited: While not offering quite as much customisation as the other two options, this free one-tap-and-record app still lets you capture gameplay, video calls, and pretty much anything on your device's screen up to 1080p Full HD.

How to take screenshots on Android

Just need a still? You can snap a screenshot in seconds on Android tablets and phones — handy for when you need to quickly save some important details like an order confirmation or receipt.

The following steps should work on most Android devices:

  1. Press the power and volume-down buttons on your phone or tablet at the same time.

  2. If the above doesn't work, hold down the power button for a few seconds and tap on 'Screenshot' when it appears. If that doesn't do the trick either, check the manual for your device.

  3. Once you've taken your screenshot, a preview of it should appear in the bottom left of your screen or at the top (depending on the model of your phone or tablet).

How about capturing a whole page? If you're using a device running on Android 12 and up, you can take a scrolling screenshot. To do it, just follow the steps above but tap the 'Capture more' button at the bottom of your screen. Then you can use the crop guidelines to select more content you'd like to capture.

FAQs

Which is the best screen recorder for Android?

There are lots of fantastic screen recorder apps for Android. But AZ Screen Recorder is considered by many as the best. You can change a bunch of settings, edit your captured footage all within the app, and there's no annoying watermarks to worry about.

Are Android screen recorders safe?

Most Android screen recorder apps are safe to use, but others might contain malware or adware that could harm your device and compromise your privacy. That’s why you should only download a screen recorder app from a reputable source like the Google Play Store. It’s always a good idea to review the app's permissions before downloading too.

Why can't you screen record on Android?

A screen recording feature has been available since Android 11 was introduced. But if you're using an older Android phone or tablet running on an earlier version of the operating system, then screen recording isn't possible unless you download a third-party app.

Any more questions?

How about learning a few more Android tricks while you're at it? Like how to speed up your Android phone if it's struggling to keep up with you. Or how to use Do Not Disturb on Android when you want a few less distractions at work!

Related in Tips & updates

Related Article Image
How to turn off and restart your iPhone 14
Related Article Image
How to share your location on iPhone
Related Article Image
Great apps that make watching football better
Related Article Image
What is Apple Pay Cash?
Related Article Image
Make the most of Google Maps

Upgrade your Android