How to Enable Screen Recording on Any Device

Every major operating system has a built-in screen recorder. Most of them are turned off by default or buried inside settings menus that aren't obviously named. The result: people spend ten minutes searching for something that takes 30 seconds to set up once you know where to look.

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This guide covers how to turn on screen recording for every major device. iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows 10, Windows 11, and Chromebook. Each section is device-specific with the exact steps, keyboard shortcuts, and the most common reason it doesn't work.

How to Turn On Screen Recording on iPhone and iPad

Apple added native screen recording to iOS in version 11 (2017). It's not active by default.

Step 1: Add Screen Recording to Control Center

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Control Center.
3. Scroll to More Controls.
4. Tap the green + next to Screen Recording.

This only needs to be done once. The screen recording button now appears in Control Center permanently.

Step 2: Start Recording

• iPhone without Home button (Face ID models): Swipe down from the top-right corner.
• iPhone with Home button (SE, 8, and older): Swipe up from the bottom edge.

Tap the Screen Recording icon (solid circle inside a ring). A 3-second countdown starts, then recording begins. The status bar turns red.

Step 3: Enable Microphone Audio

By default, iPhone screen recording captures system audio only (app sounds, music). To add your voice:

1. Long-press the Screen Recording button in Control Center.
2. Tap Microphone to toggle it on (turns red).
3. Tap Start Recording.

To stop: tap the red status bar at the top and confirm Stop. The recording saves to Photos > Screen Recordings.

For a more detailed iPhone guide, see how to screen record on iPhone in 2026.

How to Enable Screen Recording on Android

Android's built-in screen recorder varies by manufacturer. Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus each have their own implementation.

Samsung Galaxy Devices

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the full Quick Settings panel.
2. Look for Screen Recorder in the tiles. If you don't see it, tap the + (edit) button to add it.
3. Tap Screen Recorder. A settings prompt appears asking about audio source and video quality.
4. Choose your settings and tap Start recording.

If Screen Recorder isn't in Quick Settings at all, go to Settings > Advanced features > Screenshots and Screen recorder.

Google Pixel Devices

1. Swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings.
2. Find Screen Record. If not visible, tap Edit and drag it from the inactive tiles section.
3. Tap to start. Choose whether to record device audio, microphone, or both.

Stock Android (Other Brands)

Most Android 10 and newer devices include a native screen recorder accessible from Quick Settings or via Settings > Features > Screen Record.

For complete brand-specific steps and third-party app recommendations, see our how to screen record on Android guide.

How to Enable Screen Recording on Mac

Mac has had built-in screen recording since macOS Mojave (2018). There are two ways to access it.

Option 1: Screenshot Toolbar (Recommended)

Press Command + Shift + 5. A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen with five options:

1. Capture entire screen (static screenshot)
2. Capture selected window
3. Capture selected portion
4. Record entire screen (this is what you want for full-screen recording)
5. Record selected portion

Click option 4 or 5, position the capture area if needed, then click Record.

To stop: click the stop button in the menu bar (the square inside a circle), or press Command + Shift + 5 and click Stop.

Recordings save to the Desktop by default. Change the save location in the screenshot toolbar's Options menu.

Option 2: QuickTime Player

1. Open QuickTime Player (it's in Applications or searchable via Spotlight).
2. Click File > New Screen Recording.
3. In the recording controls that appear, click the dropdown arrow to set microphone input.
4. Click the red record button.
5. Click anywhere to record the full screen, or drag to select a portion.

For microphone audio, select your mic from the dropdown before clicking record. QuickTime captures both screen and mic simultaneously when configured this way.

How to Turn On Screen Recording on Windows 10

Windows 10 has two built-in options: Xbox Game Bar (the main one) and Snipping Tool (limited capabilities in version 10).

Xbox Game Bar (Primary Method)

Xbox Game Bar is the main screen recorder in Windows 10. It's enabled by default but requires a quick settings check.

First, confirm it's active:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
3. Make sure the toggle is On.

To start recording:

1. Open the application or window you want to record.
2. Press Windows + Alt + R to start recording immediately.
3. A small recording widget appears in the corner showing elapsed time.
4. Press Windows + Alt + R again to stop.

Recordings save to C:\Users[username]\Videos\Captures automatically.

For a full recording interface: Press Windows + G to open the full Xbox Game Bar overlay. Click the Capture widget (the camera icon) and use the buttons to take screenshots, start recording, or turn on the microphone.

One important limitation: Xbox Game Bar only records one application at a time. It doesn't capture the full desktop or file explorer windows. It was designed for game capture. For desktop-wide recording or professional use, see our full Windows screen recording guide.

Snipping Tool (Windows 10 Limitations)

The Snipping Tool in Windows 10 supports screenshots only. Screen video recording via Snipping Tool was added in Windows 11. Windows 10 users are limited to Xbox Game Bar for native video capture.

For screen recording that goes beyond what Xbox Game Bar offers (full desktop capture, 4K output, annotation tools, viewer analytics), tools like VibrantSnap work on Windows 10 and handle the full workflow from recording to sharing.

How to Enable Screen Recording on Windows 11

Windows 11 adds the Snipping Tool video recording feature alongside Xbox Game Bar.

Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

1. Press Windows + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool.
2. Click the video camera icon (the last option in the toolbar).
3. Draw a rectangle around the area you want to record.
4. Click Start.
5. Click the Stop button in the floating toolbar to finish.

The recording saves to your Videos folder.

Xbox Game Bar (Windows 11)

Same as Windows 10. Press Windows + G to open the overlay, or Windows + Alt + R to start recording immediately.

How to Enable Screen Recording on Chromebook

Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder in ChromeOS 89 and later.

Using the Screen Capture Tool

1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows (the key with the rectangle and two lines, also called the Overview key).
2. The screen capture toolbar appears at the bottom.
3. Select the video camera icon to switch from screenshot to screen recording mode.
4. Choose: record full screen, record partial screen, or record a window.
5. Click Record.

To stop: click the recording indicator in the shelf (taskbar) at the bottom of the screen.

Recordings save to the Downloads folder as WebM files.

No microphone audio by default. In the screen capture toolbar, click the Settings gear before starting to toggle on microphone recording.

For complete Chromebook recording options including browser extensions, see our how to screen record on Chromebook guide.

Common Reasons Screen Recording Doesn't Work

"Screen Recording" option is grayed out on iPhone/iPad: Parental controls are blocking it. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Game Center and check if screen recording is disabled.

Xbox Game Bar won't record: The application may be running as administrator. Xbox Game Bar can't capture apps with elevated permissions. Try restarting the app without admin rights.

No audio in Mac recordings: In the screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5), click Options and select your microphone under the microphone section. QuickTime requires you to select the mic from its dropdown before starting.

Chromebook recordings have no audio: The microphone isn't enabled by default. Open the Screen Capture toolbar, click Settings, and toggle on the microphone before starting.

Recording Across Devices vs. Professional Tools

Built-in screen recorders handle basic capture. What they don't do: auto-edit your recordings, remove dead air and filler words, add embedded CTAs, host videos with analytics, or give you viewer engagement data.

For regular video content creators, product teams, and anyone who records frequently, the gap between built-in tools and purpose-built recorders is substantial. VibrantSnap works across Mac and Windows with a Chrome extension, captures at 4K/120fps, and handles post-production automatically. The built-in recorder gets you started. A dedicated tool keeps you from spending hours editing every recording.