Screen recording on Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets have a built-in screen recording tool in the Quick Settings panel. You do not need to read an app or change any settings first — the feature is ready to use. Open the Quick Settings menu by swiping down twice from the top of the screen, find the Screen Recorder button, tap it, and recording begins. When you are done, tap the notification that appears or return to Quick Settings and tap Screen Recorder again to stop.
The recorded video saves automatically to your Gallery app in a folder called Recordings. You can then share, edit, or delete the file like any other video on your tablet. The entire process takes less than a minute to learn, and the recordings are high quality by default.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings, then tap Screen Recorder to start recording when ready.
- Your recording saves to the Gallery app in a Recordings folder without any extra steps or confirmation dialogs.
- You can record audio from your tablet's speakers, your microphone, or both, by tapping the microphone icon before you start.
- Stop recording by tapping the notification at the top of the screen or by opening Quick Settings and tapping Screen Recorder again.
- Recorded videos can be trimmed, shared, or deleted directly from the Gallery app using the same tools you use for photos.
Finding and opening the Screen Recorder tool
The Screen Recorder button lives in your Quick Settings panel, which is the fastest way to access it. Swipe down from the top of your screen once to open the notification shade, then swipe down again to reveal the full Quick Settings grid. You will see rows of buttons including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Battery Saver. Screen Recorder is usually in the second or third row, but the exact position depends on which buttons you use most often — Samsung moves frequently used buttons to the top.
If you cannot find Screen Recorder in Quick Settings, it may be hidden. Scroll down within the Quick Settings panel or look for a button labeled "More" or three dots. Tap it to see additional tools, then look for Screen Recorder in that list. Once you find it, you can hold and drag the button up into your main Quick Settings row so it appears every time you swipe down.
Starting a recording and choosing audio options
Tap the Screen Recorder button to open a small menu with audio choices. You will see options to record with no sound, with microphone only, with system audio only (sounds from your tablet), or with both microphone and system audio. Choose the option that matches what you need to record. If you are recording a tutorial or demonstration, system audio alone usually works best. If you are narrating over the recording, choose microphone only or both.
After you select your audio preference, a three-second countdown appears on your screen, then recording begins. The countdown gives you time to position your tablet or open the app you want to record. A red recording indicator appears at the top of the screen so you always know the tablet is capturing video.
Stopping the recording and finding your file
Stop recording by tapping the red recording notification at the top of your screen, or by opening Quick Settings again and tapping Screen Recorder a second time. Either method stops the recording when ready and saves the file. You will see a brief notification confirming the recording was saved.
Your video appears in the Gallery app under a folder called Recordings. Open Gallery, tap the menu button (three horizontal lines), and select Recordings to see all your screen recordings in one place. The newest recording appears at the top of the list. Tap any recording to play it, and you can then share it, trim it, or delete it using the buttons that appear on the screen.
Trimming and sharing your recording
Once your recording is saved in Gallery, you can trim it to remove unwanted sections from the beginning or end. Open the recording, tap the edit button (pencil icon), and select Trim. Drag the handles at the left and right edges of the timeline to mark where you want the video to start and stop, then tap Save. The trimmed version replaces the original file.
To share your recording, open it in Gallery, tap the share button (arrow pointing out of a box), and choose where to send it — email, messaging apps, cloud storage, or social media. The file size depends on how long you recorded, but most short recordings are small enough to email or message without issues. If your recording is very long, consider trimming it first to reduce the file size.
Troubleshooting common recording problems
If Screen Recorder does not appear in your Quick Settings, restart your tablet. Press and hold the power button, tap Restart, and wait for the tablet to turn back on. Then try opening Quick Settings again. If the button still does not appear, check that your tablet is running the current version of Samsung's operating system by going to Settings, About Tablet, and tapping Software Update.
If your recording stops unexpectedly or the file does not save, check that you have at least 500 MB of free storage space on your tablet. Go to Settings, Storage, and look at the available space. If storage is low, delete old files or videos to free up room. If recordings are saving but the audio is missing, open Quick Settings before you record and make sure you selected an audio option that includes sound — the default setting sometimes records video only.
Recording length and storage limits
Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets can record for as long as your storage space allows. There is no built-in time limit, but very long recordings use a lot of storage. A one-hour recording typically uses 1 to 2 GB of space depending on the screen resolution and activity level. Check your available storage before recording something very long, and consider trimming the file afterward if you want to keep it.
If you plan to record frequently, move older recordings to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud to free up space on your tablet. Open Gallery, select a recording, tap the menu button, and choose Move to Cloud or Share to move the file off your tablet. This keeps your tablet running smoothly and preserves your recordings without taking up local storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record just part of my screen instead of the whole screen?
No, the built-in Screen Recorder on Galaxy Tab A tablets records the entire display. If you need to record only a specific area or window, you would need to use a third-party app from the Google Play Store. The built-in tool is designed for full-screen recording only.
What happens if I get a phone call or notification while recording?
Incoming calls and notifications appear on your screen and are included in the recording. If you do not want them visible, turn on Do Not Disturb before you start recording. Go to Settings, Notifications, and toggle Do Not Disturb on. This silences alerts without stopping your recording.
Can I record video from apps like YouTube or Netflix?
Most streaming apps block screen recording for copyright protection. You may see a black screen or error message when you try to record them. This is a restriction built into the apps themselves, not a limitation of your tablet. The Screen Recorder works on most other apps and websites without issues.
How do I delete a recording I no longer need?
Open Gallery, find the recording in the Recordings folder, tap and hold it, then tap Delete or the trash icon. The file is removed from your tablet when ready. If you delete a recording by mistake, check your Gallery trash or Recently Deleted folder — most tablets keep deleted files there for 30 days before permanently removing them.
Can I edit my recording to add text or music?
The Gallery app includes basic trimming and cropping tools, but not text or music editing. For more advanced editing, use a free video editor from the Google Play Store like CapCut, Adobe Express, or DaVinci Resolve. These apps let you add text, music, transitions, and effects to your recording after you save it.