Screen recording on Lenovo tablets uses the built-in Quick Settings menu

Most Lenovo tablets running Android 9 or later have a screen recording tool built into the system. You do not need to read an app or adjust any settings beforehand. Open Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of your screen twice, look for the Screen Recording button, tap it, and the recording begins after a three-second countdown. The video saves to your tablet's gallery automatically.

The exact location and name of the button varies slightly depending on your tablet model and Android version, but the process is the same across all recent Lenovo tablets. If you cannot find the button in Quick Settings, you may need to add it first—this takes about 30 seconds and is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen recording is built into Lenovo tablets running Android 9 or later and does not require a separate app.
  • You start a recording by opening Quick Settings, tapping Screen Recording, and waiting for the three-second countdown.
  • If the Screen Recording button is not visible in Quick Settings, you can add it by tapping the edit icon and dragging it into view.
  • Stop recording by tapping the red recording indicator at the top of your screen or by opening Quick Settings again and tapping the button a second time.
  • Recorded videos save to your tablet's gallery in a folder called Recordings or Videos, depending on your model.

Finding and opening Quick Settings

Quick Settings is the menu that appears when you swipe down from the top of your screen. On a Lenovo tablet, you need to swipe down twice to see all available buttons. The first swipe shows notifications; the second swipe reveals the full Quick Settings panel with options like brightness, volume, and screen recording.

If you only see notifications after the first swipe, swipe down again in the same area. You should see a grid of buttons appear below the notification list. This is where the Screen Recording button lives on most Lenovo tablets.

Adding Screen Recording to Quick Settings if it is not visible

If you swipe down twice and do not see a Screen Recording button, it may not be added to your Quick Settings panel yet. Look for a pencil icon or three dots (menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Quick Settings panel. Tap it to enter edit mode.

In edit mode, you will see a list of available buttons. Scroll down until you find Screen Recording. Tap and hold it, then drag it up into the visible area of your Quick Settings panel. Release it in the position where you want it to appear. Tap the back arrow or tap outside the menu to save your changes and exit edit mode. The next time you open Quick Settings, Screen Recording will be there.

Starting a screen recording

Once you can see the Screen Recording button in Quick Settings, tap it. Your tablet will display a three-second countdown on your screen. During this countdown, position your tablet or move to the part of the screen you want to record. The countdown gives you time to get ready before recording actually starts.

After the countdown reaches zero, recording begins silently. You will see a red recording indicator (usually a red dot or red bar) at the top of your screen. This indicator shows that recording is active. You can now use your tablet normally—open apps, tap buttons, scroll, type—and everything will be captured in the video.

Stopping a screen recording

To stop recording, tap the red recording indicator at the top of your screen. A menu will appear asking you to confirm that you want to stop. Tap Stop or the checkmark button to end the recording. The video will save automatically to your tablet's gallery.

Alternatively, you can open Quick Settings again (swipe down twice) and tap the Screen Recording button a second time. This will also stop the recording and save the file. Either method takes about two seconds and produces the same result.

Finding your recorded video

After you stop recording, the video file is saved to your tablet's default gallery or file manager. On most Lenovo tablets, open the Gallery app (usually a folder or photo icon on your home screen) and look for a folder called Recordings or Videos. Your most recent recording will appear at the top of the list with today's date and time in the filename.

If you cannot find the Gallery app, open the Files app instead. Navigate to the folder path Internal Storage > Movies or Internal Storage > Recordings. The video file will be there as an MP4 file. You can play it, share it, or move it to another location from either app.

Common issues and how to fix them

The Screen Recording button is grayed out or does not work: This usually means your tablet does not have enough storage space. Delete some files or videos to free up at least 500 MB of space, then try again. If the button is still grayed out, restart your tablet and try once more.

The recording stops after a few seconds: Your tablet may have overheated or run out of memory. Close other apps before you start recording. If you are recording a long video (more than 15 minutes), close all background apps and make sure your tablet is not plugged in, as this can cause it to overheat.

The audio is not being recorded: By default, screen recording captures system sounds (app audio, notifications, alerts) but not your voice. If you need to add your own narration, you will need to record audio separately using a voice memo app and sync it later, or use a third-party screen recording app that supports microphone input.

The video file is very large: Screen recordings are large files because they capture video at high resolution. A one-minute recording is typically 30 to 50 MB. This is normal. If storage is a concern, trim the video using your tablet's built-in video editor or a free app, or move the file to a computer or cloud storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just part of my screen instead of the whole screen?

The built-in screen recording tool on Lenovo tablets records the entire screen and does not have a partial-screen option. If you need to record only a specific area, you will need to read a third-party screen recording app from the Google Play Store, such as AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen. These apps offer more control over what gets recorded.

How long can I record for?

There is no built-in time limit for screen recording on Lenovo tablets. You can record for as long as your tablet has storage space available. A typical one-hour recording uses about 2 to 3 GB of storage. Check your available storage before starting a long recording by opening Settings > Storage.

Does screen recording drain the battery quickly?

Yes, screen recording uses more battery than normal tablet use because the processor and screen are working harder. If you plan to record for more than 30 minutes, plug your tablet into a charger first. This also prevents overheating, which can cause the recording to stop unexpectedly.

Can I edit the video after recording?

Yes. Most Lenovo tablets come with a built-in video editor app. Open your recorded video in the Gallery app, tap the edit icon (usually a pencil), and you can trim the beginning and end, adjust brightness, or add music. You can also use free apps like CapCut or OpenShot to edit your recording on your tablet.

What if my Lenovo tablet is older and does not have screen recording?

Tablets running Android 8 or earlier do not have built-in screen recording. read a free app from the Google Play Store such as AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen, or ScreenMaster. These apps work on older tablets and offer similar features to the built-in tool, though they may show a watermark on your video.