Samsung tablets have a built-in screen recorder you can launch in seconds
Samsung tablets come with a screen recording tool built into the system—you do not need to read anything. The recorder captures everything on your screen plus audio from your tablet's microphone or internal sounds. You can start recording from the Quick Settings panel, which you reach by swiping down from the top of the screen twice, or by going into Settings. The recording saves as an MP4 video file to your tablet's storage, and you can trim or share it right after you stop recording.
The entire process takes less than a minute from opening Quick Settings to having your first recording saved. Once you know where the Screen Recorder button is, you can start a new recording in about five seconds. Most people find the tool within the first few tries.
Key Takeaways
- Open Quick Settings by swiping down twice from the top, then tap Screen Recorder to start recording when ready.
- Before you record, choose whether to capture internal audio, microphone audio, or both by tapping the audio icon in the recorder panel.
- Your recording stops when you tap the Stop button in the notification panel, and the video saves to your Gallery app automatically.
- Samsung tablets let you trim the video or change the resolution and frame rate before you record, using the settings icon in the Quick Settings panel.
Finding and opening the screen recorder
The fastest way to start recording is through Quick Settings. Place two fingers at the top of your screen and swipe downward, or swipe down once and then swipe down again. This opens a panel with toggles and shortcuts. Look for an icon labeled "Screen Recorder"—it usually looks like a circle with a dot inside. Tap it once to open the recorder panel.
If you cannot find Screen Recorder in Quick Settings, you can add it. Swipe down twice to open the full Quick Settings panel, then look for an edit button (usually three dots or a pencil icon) at the bottom. Tap it, find Screen Recorder in the list of available tools, and drag it into your Quick Settings panel. After that, it will appear every time you open Quick Settings.
Choosing what audio to record
When the Screen Recorder panel opens, you will see an audio icon—usually a microphone symbol. Tap it to choose what sound the recorder captures. Your options are typically "Microphone" (your tablet's built-in mic), "Internal Audio" (sounds from apps and videos playing on your tablet), or "Mute" (no sound at all). You can also choose both microphone and internal audio if your tablet supports it.
Internal audio is useful when you are recording a tutorial video or gameplay—it captures what is happening on screen. Microphone audio is better if you want to narrate while recording. If you are recording something private or do not want background noise, select Mute. Make your choice before you tap the red Record button, because you cannot change it once recording has started.
Starting and stopping your recording
Once you have set your audio preference, tap the red Record button (or the large red circle) in the Screen Recorder panel. A three-second countdown will appear on your screen. When the countdown ends, recording begins. You will see a red recording indicator at the top of your screen—usually a small red dot or bar that shows the recorder is active.
To stop recording, swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel, then tap the Stop button next to the recording indicator. Your tablet will process the video for a few seconds, then save it automatically. You will see a notification saying the recording was saved. Do not force-close apps or turn off your tablet while the video is being saved, or the file may become corrupted.
Finding your recorded video
Your screen recording saves to your Gallery app by default. Open Gallery, then look for a folder called "Videos" or "Recordings"—the exact name depends on your tablet model and Android version. Your most recent recording will appear at the top of the list. Tap it to play it back and check that the audio and video quality are what you expected.
If you cannot find your video in Gallery, open the Files app and navigate to DCIM or Movies folder. Some Samsung tablets save recordings there instead. You can also search for the file by opening Files, tapping the search icon, and typing "screen" or the date you recorded.
Adjusting resolution, frame rate, and other settings
Before you record, you can change how the video looks. In the Quick Settings panel, look for a settings icon (usually a gear or three dots) next to the Record button. Tap it to open the Screen Recorder settings. Here you can choose your video resolution—lower resolutions like 720p create smaller files and use less storage, while higher resolutions like 1080p or 1440p look sharper but take up more space.
You can also set the frame rate, which controls how smooth the video looks. Higher frame rates (60 fps) are smoother but create larger files. Lower frame rates (30 fps) are fine for most tutorials and use less storage. Some tablets also let you show or hide the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen in your recording. Choose your preferences, then close the settings panel and start recording.
Trimming and sharing your recording
After you stop recording, a notification will appear asking if you want to edit the video. Tap "Edit" to trim the beginning or end. You will see a timeline with handles on both sides—drag the left handle to cut out the start, and drag the right handle to cut out the end. Tap Save when you are done. The trimmed version replaces the original file.
To share your recording, open Gallery, find your video, and tap the share icon (usually three dots connected by lines). Choose where you want to send it—email, messaging apps, cloud storage, or social media. Keep in mind that large video files may take time to upload, depending on your internet connection.
Common problems and how to fix them
If your recording has no sound, check that you did not select "Mute" in the audio settings. If you chose "Internal Audio" but the app you were recording does not allow audio capture (some apps block this for copyright reasons), you will get silence. Switch to "Microphone" and narrate instead, or record a different app.
If the video is choppy or stutters, your tablet may have been running too many apps at once. Close other apps before you record, or lower the resolution and frame rate in the Screen Recorder settings. If the file will not save, make sure you have enough free storage space on your tablet. Delete old files or videos if you are running low on space, then try recording again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen while using other apps?
Yes. Once you start recording, you can open any app and use it normally. The recorder will capture everything you do on screen. You can switch between apps, open websites, or play games—the recording continues until you tap Stop.
Does screen recording drain my battery quickly?
Screen recording uses more battery than normal tablet use because it is processing video constantly. If you are recording for a long time, plug your tablet into power. For short recordings, battery drain is usually not a major concern.
What happens if I get a phone call or notification while recording?
Notifications and incoming calls will appear on your screen and will be recorded. If you do not want them in your video, enable Do Not Disturb mode before you start recording. Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings and toggle Do Not Disturb on.
Can I record just one app instead of the whole screen?
Samsung's built-in screen recorder captures the entire screen. If you want to record only one app, you would need to use a third-party recording app from the Google Play Store. The built-in tool does not have a single-app recording mode.
How much storage space does a screen recording use?
A one-minute recording at 1080p and 30 fps typically uses 50 to 100 MB of storage. Higher resolutions and frame rates use more space. A ten-minute video at 1080p might use 500 MB to 1 GB. Check your available storage before recording long videos.