How to Record Your Screen (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android)

Screen recording is built into every major operating system. No installation, no signup, no software cost. Here’s the complete guide for each platform.

Mac: Cmd+Shift+5 (built-in)

The Screenshot toolbar on Mac includes screen recording:

1. Press Cmd+Shift+5
2. Choose:
   • Record Entire Screen
   • Record Selected Portion
3. Click Options to:
   • Choose save location
   • Set a timer
   • Include microphone audio
   • Show mouse clicks
4. Click Record
5. To stop: click the stop icon in the menu bar (or Cmd+Ctrl+Esc)

Output: a .mov file saves to Desktop (or your chosen location).

Windows: Xbox Game Bar (built-in)

Despite the name, Game Bar records any app:

1. Press Win+G to open Game Bar
2. Click the Capture widget (camera icon)
3. Click Start Recording (or Win+Alt+R)
4. To stop: click stop in the capture widget

Output: MP4 saved in Videos\Captures.

Notes:

• Records the currently focused app only (not the whole screen)
• Doesn’t capture desktop or File Explorer
• For full-screen recording, use the Snipping Tool (newer Windows 11)

Windows 11: Snipping Tool with video recording

Newer Windows 11 versions added screen recording to Snipping Tool:

1. Open Snipping Tool
2. Click the Record button (video icon)
3. Drag to select recording area
4. Click Start
5. Click Stop when done

More flexible than Game Bar for non-app recording.

iPhone: Screen Recording

Built into iOS:

1. Settings → Control Center
2. Add Screen Recording to controls (if not already)
3. Open Control Center (swipe from top-right)
4. Tap the Screen Recording icon (circle in a circle)
5. 3-second countdown, then recording starts
6. To stop: tap the red status bar at top → Stop

Output: video saved to Photos app.

For microphone audio: long-press the Screen Recording button → toggle Microphone on.

Android: built-in screen recorder

Most Android phones include screen recording:

Pixel/most modern Android:

1. Swipe down from top to open quick settings
2. Find Screen Record tile (may need to add from edit panel)
3. Tap to start
4. Choose audio settings (mic, system, none)
5. To stop: tap the recording notification

Samsung Galaxy:

• Similar approach via quick settings

Older Android:

• May need third-party app (AZ Screen Recorder, DU Recorder)

Linux: various options

OBS Studio (free): professional-grade, works on Linux. The Linux gold standard.

SimpleScreenRecorder (free): straightforward Linux tool.

Built-in screencast (GNOME): Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R starts a screen recording on GNOME desktops.

Ffmpeg command-line: powerful but complex for screen recording.

Cross-platform: OBS Studio (free, advanced)

For more powerful recording:

OBS Studio (free, Windows/Mac/Linux):

• Multiple sources (screen, webcam, audio)
• Scene composition
• Streaming and recording simultaneously
• Used by streamers professionally

Overkill for casual recording but the standard for tutorials, streaming, and professional content.

Recording with audio

Most platforms support:

System audio: the sounds your computer/phone is playing (videos, music, alerts).

Microphone audio: voice narration from your microphone.

Both: voice over playing audio — common for tutorials.

Settings vary by platform. iPhone has a built-in toggle for microphone. Mac’s Cmd+Shift+5 has an audio option in the Options menu.

Common use cases

Tutorials: showing someone how to do something on their computer.

Bug reports: capturing exactly what went wrong before describing it.

Tech support: walking through an issue with a remote helper.

Educational content: lectures, demos, walkthroughs.

Saving streamed content: be cautious of copyright/terms of service.

Recording video calls: usually requires participants’ consent for ethical/legal reasons.

Quality and file size

Output quality varies:

• iPhone screen recording: 1080p/720p at 30 or 60 fps. 100-200 MB per minute typical.
• Mac: full resolution. Large files for long recordings.
• Windows Game Bar: 1080p at 30 fps. 30-100 MB per minute.
• OBS: configurable.

For long recordings, file size adds up quickly. Plan storage accordingly.

After recording

Trim: iPhone Photos trimming or any video editor cuts away dead air.

Compress: HandBrake or our Compress Video guide.

Extract just audio: MP4 to MP3 if the audio was the point.

Convert format: MOV (Mac recordings) → MP4 with Convert MOV to MP4.

Tips for good recordings

Use a quiet environment: ambient noise gets picked up.

Speak clearly into the mic: tutorial voiceovers benefit from a good microphone.

Close unnecessary apps: prevent notifications appearing in your recording.

Practice a take or two: hard to edit out long pauses.

Adjust display resolution if too high: 4K screen recordings are huge files; 1080p is fine for tutorials.

Use cursor highlight or click visualization: helps viewers follow what you’re clicking. Mac has this built into screen recording; third-party tools for other platforms.

Privacy considerations

Screen recordings can capture more than you intend:

• Notifications: incoming messages, calendar alerts
• Open tabs / windows: showing the desktop reveals what else is open
• Bookmarks bar: bookmarks visible to viewers
• Passwords or auto-fill: if any password field gets focus during recording

Before recording for public sharing:

• Close personal/sensitive apps
• Turn on Do Not Disturb
• Use a fresh user profile or “demo mode” if available
• Review the recording before sharing

TL;DR

• Mac: Cmd+Shift+5
• Windows: Win+G (Game Bar) or Snipping Tool record button
• iPhone: Control Center → Screen Recording
• Android: quick settings → Screen Record tile
• Linux: OBS Studio or SimpleScreenRecorder
• Cross-platform advanced: OBS Studio
• Audio: built-in toggles on each platform for mic/system audio
• After: trim, compress, or extract audio as needed