Screen recording is one of the most useful features built into the iPhone. Whether you’re creating tutorials, capturing gameplay, saving a video call, or demonstrating how an app works, iOS allows you to record your screen without installing any third-party software.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to record your iPhone screen with internal audio, microphone audio, or both.
Step 1: Add Screen Recording to Control Center
If you don’t see the Screen Recording button in Control Center, you’ll need to enable it first.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Scroll down to More Controls.
- Tap the + button next to Screen Recording.
The Screen Recording shortcut will now appear in your Control Center.
Step 2: Start Recording Your iPhone Screen
To begin recording:
- Open the app or screen you want to record.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swipe up from the bottom on iPhones with a Home button) to open Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Recording button (a circle inside another circle).
- A three-second countdown will appear before recording starts.
Everything displayed on your screen will now be recorded.
How to Record Your Voice with the Screen Recording
By default, screen recordings only capture your iPhone’s system audio when supported by the app.
If you want to record your own voice while demonstrating something:
- Open Control Center.
- Press and hold the Screen Recording button.
- Tap the Microphone icon to turn it On.
- Tap Start Recording.
Your iPhone will now record both your screen and your voice through the built-in microphone.
This feature is perfect for:
- Tutorial videos
- App demonstrations
- Game commentary
- Educational content
- Technical support recordings
How to Stop Recording
There are two ways to stop recording:
Option 1
- Tap the red recording indicator at the top of the screen.
- Tap Stop.
Option 2
- Open Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Recording button again.
Once recording stops, your video is automatically saved to the Photos app.
Where to Find Your Screen Recordings
All recordings are stored in the Photos app.
Open Photos and navigate to:
Albums → Media Types → Screen Recordings
From there, you can:
- Trim the beginning or end of the video
- Add filters
- Crop the frame
- Share it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or social media
Can You Record Internal Audio?
Yes—but with some limitations.
Many apps allow screen recordings to capture internal audio automatically. However, certain streaming services and copyrighted content, including some movies and TV shows, may block audio or display a black screen due to digital rights management (DRM).
If internal audio isn’t available, enabling the microphone allows you to record your own narration instead.
Tips for Better Screen Recordings
For the best results:
- Enable Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode to prevent notifications from appearing.
- Turn on Low Power Mode only if your battery is running low.
- Clean up your Home Screen before recording.
- Lock the screen orientation if you don’t want the display to rotate.
- Close unnecessary apps to improve performance during recording.
Can You Edit Screen Recordings?
Yes. The built-in Photos app includes basic editing tools that let you:
- Trim unwanted sections
- Rotate videos
- Adjust brightness and color
- Crop the frame
For more advanced editing, apps like iMovie, CapCut, or Adobe Premiere Rush offer additional features such as transitions, subtitles, effects, and voiceovers.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s built-in Screen Recording feature makes it incredibly easy to capture anything happening on your iPhone without downloading additional software. Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording gameplay, troubleshooting an issue, or saving an important demonstration, the process takes just a few taps.
By enabling the microphone, you can also record live commentary, making your videos more engaging and informative. Best of all, every recording is automatically saved to the Photos app, where you can edit and share it instantly.