How to record your screen on any device

Do you want to record your screen to make a tutorial, capture a problem or record a presentation? Screen recording is easier than ever these days. In this detailed guide we explain step by step how to record your screen on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android. No technical knowledge required!

What is screen recording?

Screen recording, also called screen capture, means capturing everything that happens on your display. This can be useful for different purposes:

  • Making instructional videos for family, friends or coworkers
  • Capturing technical problems to show to the help desk
  • Recording online meetings for reference
  • Recording gameplay for YouTube or your personal archive
  • Capturing presentations for later use

The great thing is that every modern device has built-in options to record the screen. You often don't need to install any extra software!

Recording your screen on Windows 10 and 11

Windows has a built-in feature called the Xbox Game Bar. Despite the name, it also works perfectly for things other than games.

Using the Xbox Game Bar

  1. Open the program you want to record
  2. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
  3. You will now see an overlay with various widgets appear
  4. Click the record button (red circle) or press Windows + Alt + R
  5. Recording starts right away: you will see a small timer in the corner
  6. Stop the recording by pressing Windows + Alt + R again

Where do you find your recordings?

Your screen recordings are saved automatically in the Videos > Captures folder. You can easily find this folder through File Explorer.

Adjusting the settings

Do you want to change the quality or other settings?

  1. Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures
  2. Here you can set the video quality (the default is 30 fps, you can raise this to 60 fps)
  3. Choose whether you also want to record audio
  4. Set the maximum recording length

Alternative: Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

In Windows 11 you can also use the updated Snipping Tool for screen recordings:

  1. Open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu
  2. Click the video camera icon at the top
  3. Select the area you want to record
  4. Click Start to begin recording

Recording your screen on Mac

Apple makes it very easy to record your screen with built-in tools.

Method 1: Screenshot toolbar

  1. Press Command + Shift + 5
  2. A toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen
  3. Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion
  4. Click Record to start
  5. Click the stop button in the menu bar to stop

Method 2: QuickTime Player

  1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder
  2. Go to File > New Screen Recording
  3. Click the arrow next to the record button for more options
  4. Choose whether you also want to record audio
  5. Click the red record button
  6. Click anywhere on the screen for full screen, or drag to select an area

Saving recordings

After you stop recording, a preview appears in the bottom right corner. Click it to view the video and save it wherever you want.

Recording your screen on iPhone and iPad

iOS has a built-in screen recording feature that is very easy to use.

Enabling Screen Recording

First you need to add the feature to your Control Center:

  1. Go to Settings > Control Center
  2. Find Screen Recording in the list
  3. Tap the green plus sign next to it

Making a recording

  1. Swipe down from the top right corner (or up on older iPhones)
  2. Tap the record button (circle with a dot)
  3. A 3-second countdown follows
  4. Recording starts: you will see a red bar at the top
  5. Tap the red bar and choose Stop to end it

Recording with sound

Do you also want to record your voice during the screen recording?

  1. Press and hold the record button in Control Center
  2. Tap the microphone icon to turn it on
  3. Tap Start Recording

Your recordings are saved automatically in the Photos app.

Recording your screen on Android

Most Android phones running Android 11 or newer have a built-in screen recorder.

Samsung phones

  1. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen
  2. Find the Screen recorder tile
  3. Tap it and choose your sound settings
  4. Tap Start recording
  5. Stop via the notification or the floating toolbar

Other Android phones

  1. Swipe down for Quick Settings
  2. Find Screen record or Screen Record
  3. Tap to start
  4. Stop via the notification bar

If your phone has no built-in option

Download an app such as AZ Screen Recorder from the Play Store. It is free and works great.

Tips for better screen recordings

Preparation

  • Close unnecessary programs to avoid distractions
  • Turn off notifications so no alerts pop up on screen
  • Tidy up your desktop if it will be visible
  • Test the audio before you make a long recording

While recording

  • Move your mouse calmly so viewers can follow along
  • Speak clearly if you are giving commentary
  • Pause briefly after important steps
  • Use your cursor to point out important elements

After recording

  • Watch the recording before you share it
  • Trim the beginning and end if there are unnecessary parts
  • Compress large files so they are easier to share

Free programs for advanced recordings

Do you want more options than the built-in tools offer? Try these free programs:

OBS Studio

The most popular free option for Windows, Mac and Linux. It offers professional features such as:

  • Combining multiple sources
  • Live streaming to YouTube or Twitch
  • Adjustable quality settings

ShareX (Windows)

Excellent for quick recordings with extra features such as:

  • Direct upload to the cloud
  • GIF creation
  • Adding annotations

Loom

Ideal for quickly sharing screen recordings:

  • Record via the browser or the app
  • Instant shareable link
  • Free version available

Frequently asked questions

Can I record Netflix or other streaming services?

Technically, most streaming services block screen recordings for copyright reasons. If you try to record Netflix, Disney+ or other services, you often get a black screen. This is a deliberate security measure.

How much storage space does a screen recording use?

That depends on the length, resolution and quality. A 10-minute recording in 1080p uses 500 MB to 1.5 GB on average. Higher quality means larger files. If storage is an issue, choose lower quality settings.

Why does my screen recording have no sound?

Check that you turned on the audio options before you started recording. On Windows, check in the Game Bar settings that system audio and/or the microphone are turned on. On iPhone, you need to turn on the microphone by pressing and holding the record button.

Can I record my screen during a video call?

Yes, but always inform the other participants! In many countries, recording conversations without consent is not allowed. Most video calling apps such as Zoom and Teams also have their own recording feature that you can use.

Conclusion

Recording your screen is a handy skill that anyone can learn. Whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android, there is always an easy way to capture your screen. Start with your device's built-in tools: they are free and often more than enough for most users. If you need more advanced features, excellent free programs such as OBS Studio are available.

Try it today and discover how easy it is to make instructional videos, capture problems or save your digital moments!