How to Screen Record in iPhone & iPad (with Sound)
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Have you ever wanted to record your iPhone or iPad screen to share with others? Maybe to show off a new game, create a how-to video, or a tutorial. Whatever the reason, there's good news coming your way!
It's easy to record the screen on your iPhone or iPad. All it takes is a few simple steps. This handy guide will show you how.
Follow the steps below, and you’ll soon be screen recording on your iPhone or iPad like a pro!
Let's dive in!
How to add screen recording on iPhone & iPad
Open Settings->Control Center. Make sure to toggle on Access Within Apps.
Scroll down and press the green + icon to add Screen Recording to your Control Center functions.
How to record the screen on iPhone & iPad
1. Set up the app, game, or screen you want to record.
2. Select the Screen Recording icon. Press and hold the gray record icon.
3. The next screen allows you to Start Recording & toggle the Microphone on/off.
Once you begin recording, a red bar will appear at the top of your screen, allowing you to see how long you've been recording. Tapping on this will let you stop the recording.
Alternatively, can enter Control Center again and tap the Stop Recording button. These steps work in precisely the same way on iPhone and iPad.
How to record the screen with internal & external sound on iPhone & iPad
You’ll need to have iOS 11 or later installed on your device. If you're unsure which version of iOS you have, go to Settings -> General- > About. Your version number will be listed under Software Version.
Once you've confirmed that you're running iOS 11 or later, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top of your screen.
If you're using an iPhone with a Home button, you'll need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger in place until the Control Center appears.
To record internal audio, tap on the gray Record icon; to ensure that any audio playing on the device is captured.
If you want to record external audio, tap the Microphone button to add the external source.
If you want to include the sounds playing on the phone, ensure the device is in Ring Mode by confirming that the switch on the top right side of the device is not set to off (red).
To record only external audio, place the iPhone or iPad in silent mode and turn the media volume to zero.
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Recommended third-party screen recorders
With Apple’s screen recording setup offered free, most users probably won’t need a standalone screen recorder.
That said, it undoubtedly comes with a few significant limitations:
No ability to Livestream.
Limited to 720p/30fps.
No customization features.
Some users have complained of crashes.
If you’re a gamer, live-streamer, or want to use your device to create tutorials or reviews, a third-party app is more likely to meet your needs.
While this is not a comprehensive review, the app listed below will offer you higher frame-rate streaming and the ability to customize your feed with themes, overlays, and widgets.
Streamlabs: Live Streaming App
Key Features:
Mobile streaming.
Chat features.
Social live streaming (Facebook, YouTube, and more).
Custom RTMP destinations.
Personalize your stream (overlays, widgets, logos, etc.).
With multi-streaming capabilities and simple and advanced modes, as well as 1080p resolution, Streamlabs is a significant upgrade to Apple’s built-in screen recorder.
Link: Streamlabs
Screen Recorder +
Key Features:
HD video recording
Face Cam for reaction videos
In-app editing
Music, text & stickers
Social sharing options
Straightforward and easy-to-use Screen Recorder + adds plenty of fun features to its high resolutions, frame rates, and bit quality.
Audio Options: Internal Sound vs Microphone
This is the part that confuses most people, so here's the straightforward version:
Internal audio (app sounds, system sounds) is recorded by default. When you start a screen recording with a standard tap, any audio playing through your iPhone — games, videos, notifications — is captured automatically. You don't need to do anything extra.
Microphone is off by default. If you want to narrate what you're doing or record your voice alongside the screen, you need to enable the microphone manually:
Long-press (don't just tap) the Screen Recording button in Control Center.
A panel appears with a Microphone button at the bottom. Tap it to turn it on (it turns red when active).
Tap Start Recording.
With the microphone on, the recording captures both your voice and any internal app audio simultaneously.
To record with no sound at all: Long-press the Screen Recording button, turn the Microphone off if it was on, and make sure your iPhone is in Silent Mode (the physical switch on the left side of the phone flipped towards the back). The recording will be video-only with no audio.
Why isn't audio recording in some apps?
Streaming apps including Apple Music, Spotify, and Netflix block audio capture during screen recording. This is a copyright protection measure built into those apps. If you start a screen recording while Apple Music is playing, the music will stop or the audio track in your recording will be silent. There is no workaround for this — it's enforced at the app level, not by iOS.
Where Are Screen Recordings Saved?
By default, recordings are saved to the Photos app in your Camera Roll. After stopping a recording, you'll see a notification confirming the save.
To choose a different save destination: long-press the Screen Recording button in Control Center before starting. A list of available save locations will appear below the microphone toggle — you can select a specific app or location from there.
5 cool tips for screen recording on iPhone & iPad
You can edit anything saved to your camera roll later! The built-in editing tools will let you trim start and endpoints and apply all edits you use on your photos!
If your recording has background music and in-game sounds consider muting the music to ensure your narration is clear and easy to hear. You can always mix the music later.
When you’re recording, it’s a good idea to clean up your Home screen before you begin. Consider creating a new page with just the apps you want to show. That way, it’s easy to navigate, and everything looks great on the recording!
Remember to mute notifications. Go to Settings->Focus. ->Do Not Disturb and toggle the Do Not Disturb switch on.
A little time spent preparing will benefit the recording enormously. Record in a quiet environment and have the main points you mention written down.
Bonus! Check out how to record audio on iPhone in case you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does iPhone screen recording capture internal audio?
Yes. Internal audio the sounds playing through your iPhone from apps, videos, games, and the system is captured by default whenever you start a screen recording. You don't need to enable anything extra. The microphone (for recording your own voice) is a separate toggle that is off by default.
How do I screen record with sound on iPhone?
If you mean internal app audio: it's already on just tap the Screen Recording button normally. If you want to record your voice too, long-press the Screen Recording button in Control Center, tap the Microphone button so it turns red, then tap Start Recording.
Why is there no audio in my iPhone screen recording?
A few possible causes: your iPhone was in Silent Mode (which mutes internal audio), the app you were recording blocks audio capture (like Apple Music or Spotify), or you had the Microphone enabled but no internal audio was playing. Check your ring/silent switch and try recording a different app to confirm the audio is working.
Can I screen record on iPhone without sound?
Yes. Put your iPhone in Silent Mode using the physical switch on the left side of the phone and make sure the Microphone toggle is off in the Screen Recording panel. The recording will have no audio track.
Where do iPhone screen recordings go?
They're saved to the Photos app in your Camera Roll by default. You'll see a notification after stopping the recording confirming where it was saved.
Can I screen record Apple Music on an iPhone with sound?
No. Apple Music (and other streaming services including Spotify and Netflix) blocks audio capture during screen recording as a copyright protection measure. The recording will be silent or the music will stop playing when you start recording. This applies to all iPhones and is enforced by the apps themselves, not iOS.
How do I stop a screen recording on an iPhone?
Tap the red status bar at the top of your screen while recording and tap Stop. Alternatively, open the Control Center and tap the Screen Recording button again.
Conclusion
So now you have everything you need to screen record like a pro on iPhone and iPad. I’ve also included some additional links below.
Have fun and “happy screen recording!”
