How to Record Your Screen on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & Chromebook?
A cross platform screen recording guide for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad and Chromebook, including audio and privacy checks.
A screenshot captures one moment; a screen recording captures movement over time. Use recording for a bug that happens in several steps, a tutorial, an animation or a workflow where timing matters. Most current operating systems include a built in recorder, so a third party app is not necessary for basic capture.
Built in screen recording methods
| Platform | Built in starting point | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Snipping Tool video/record mode on supported current Windows versions | Recording a selected region and short demonstrations |
| Mac | ShiftCommand5 | Full screen or selected area recording |
| iPhone / iPad | Screen Recording in Control Center | Apps, settings walkthroughs and on device demonstrations |
| Android | Screen recorder in Quick Settings on supported versions/manufacturer software | Phone/tablet workflows and app demonstrations |
| Chromebook | ShiftCtrlShow windows, then Screen record | Full, partial or window recording in ChromeOS |
Before you start recording
- Close messages and browser tabs you do not want visible.
- Enable Do Not Disturb when notifications could reveal private information.
- Decide whether microphone audio is necessary before enabling it.
- Record a short test if system audio is important; audio capture rules vary by app and platform.
- Check free storage for longer recordings.
Windows screen recording
Current Snipping Tool builds can include a video/record mode. Open Snipping Tool, switch to recording, define the region and start. For workflows where Snipping Tool does not meet your needs, Windows also has other built in capture routes depending on version, but avoid installing an unknown recorder before testing the tools already included with Windows.
Mac screen recording
Press ShiftCommand5 and choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. Open Options to choose a destination, timer and microphone. Stop from the menu bar control when finished. The resulting video normally uses the save location selected in Screenshot options.
iPhone and iPad screen recording
Add Screen Recording to Control Center if it is not already present, open Control Center and start the recording. A countdown appears before capture begins. Some apps can limit recording of protected content, and microphone audio is a separate choice rather than something you should assume is always on.
Android screen recording
Many current Android phones expose Screen recorder in Quick Settings, but manufacturer software controls the exact interface and audio choices. If you do not see it, edit Quick Settings or search Settings for “screen recorder.” Very old devices may not have a native recorder.
Chromebook screen recording
Open ChromeOS Screen Capture with ShiftCtrlShow windows, switch from screenshot to recording, then choose full screen, partial area or a supported window mode. Confirm where the file is saved before recording something important.
Why a screen recording can be black or silent?
Apps can intentionally protect video, banking or private content, and operating systems can restrict capture of protected media. Audio support also differs between microphone, device/system sound and app specific audio. Do not use bypass tools to defeat deliberate protection; use the application’s approved share/export path instead.
Edit and share safely
Trim the beginning and end, remove accidental notifications, and watch the complete clip once before sharing it. A recording can reveal more than a screenshot because it may expose multiple screens, tabs, messages and account details over time.