How to Screen Record iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to record your iPhone’s screen, capturing everything from app demos to game highlights. You’ll learn how to enable the built-in screen recorder, start and stop recordings, and save or share the video. No extra apps or purchases are needed—it’s all built into iOS.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 11 or later (the Screen Recording feature is built-in).
Enough free storage space for the video (check in Settings > General > iPhone Storage).
If you want to record with audio, a working microphone (the iPhone’s built-in mic is fine).

Step-by-Step

Add Screen Recording to Control Center: Open Settings > Control Center. Tap the green plus icon next to Screen Recording to add it to the “Included Controls” list. If it’s already there, skip this step.
Open Control Center: On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
Start the recording: Tap the Screen Recording button (a circle inside a ring). A 3-second countdown appears, then the recording begins. The button turns red, and a red indicator appears in the top-left corner (or the notch area).
Record with audio (optional): To capture sound, press and hold the Screen Recording button, then tap the microphone icon to turn it on. Tap Start Recording. The microphone icon turns red when active.
Navigate to what you want to capture: Open the app or screen you want to record. Everything on the screen, including touches (if you enable them in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch), will be captured.
Stop the recording: Tap the red status bar indicator at the top of the screen, then tap Stop. Or, open Control Center again and tap the red Screen Recording button. The video is saved automatically to the Photos app.
Find and share your video: Open the Photos app and go to the Recents album (or the Screen Recordings album, which iOS creates automatically). Tap the video to play it, then use the Share button to send it via Messages, AirDrop, or save it to Files.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to add Screen Recording to Control Center: If you don’t see the button, you haven’t added it. Go to Settings > Control Center and add it.
Recording without audio when you need it: By default, the microphone is off. If you want to narrate, you must press and hold the button and enable the mic each time.
Not stopping the recording properly: If you just swipe away Control Center, the recording continues. Always tap the red indicator or the button to stop.
Recording the Control Center itself: When you start recording from Control Center, the control panel appears in the video. Wait a moment after tapping the button before doing anything else, or edit the video later.
Running out of storage: Long recordings can fill your storage quickly. Check available space before starting a long capture.

Tips

Use AssistiveTouch to show taps: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, and enable it. Then, in the same menu, turn on “Touch” under “Pointer Devices” to display a visual indicator for each tap.
Record in airplane mode to avoid interruptions: Notifications and calls can disrupt your recording. Enable Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode (if you don’t need the internet) before you start.
Edit the start and end: Use the built-in Photos editor to trim the beginning (where you open Control Center) and the end (where you stop). Tap Edit, then drag the yellow handles.
Use a third-party editor for more control: If you need to add text, annotations, or cut out sections, import the video into iMovie or another video editor.
Keep the phone plugged in for long recordings: Screen recording drains battery quickly. Connect a charger if you’re recording for more than a few minutes.

Troubleshooting

Screen Recording button is grayed out: This usually means restrictions are enabled. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and ensure Screen Recording is allowed.
No audio in the recording: Make sure the microphone was enabled before starting. If you started without it, you cannot add audio later—you’ll need to re-record. Also check that the phone isn’t muted and that the microphone isn’t blocked by a case.
The recording stops by itself: This can happen if storage is full or if the phone overheats. Free up space and let the phone cool down before trying again.
Can’t find the video: Look in the Photos app under Albums > Screen Recordings. If it’s not there, check the Recents album. If you still can’t find it, restart the phone and check again.
The video is black or blurry: This can occur when recording DRM-protected content (like some streaming apps) or when the screen is off. Make sure the screen is on and that you’re not trying to record protected content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen recording work on all iPhones?

Yes, any iPhone that supports iOS 11 or later can use the built-in screen recorder. That includes iPhone 5s and newer.

Can I record only part of the screen?

No, the built-in recorder captures the entire screen. To record a specific area, you would need a third-party app or edit the video afterward.

How do I record with internal audio (app sound) instead of the microphone?

By default, the screen recorder captures internal audio (app sound) without the microphone. If you don’t turn on the mic, you get the app’s sound. If you turn on the mic, you get both app sound and your voice.

Can I record FaceTime calls?

Yes, but the other person may be notified that the call is being recorded. Also, some apps may block screen recording during calls for privacy reasons.

Will screen recording work with Netflix or Disney+?

No, most streaming apps use DRM protection that causes the video to appear black or be cut off. Screen recording is not intended for copying copyrighted content.

How do I delete a screen recording?

Open the Photos app, select the video, tap the trash icon, and confirm. It will be moved to Recently Deleted for 30 days before being permanently removed.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.