Samsung devices come with a built-in screen recording tool you do not need to read

Samsung phones and tablets include a screen recorder in the Quick Settings panel. You swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings, tap Screen Recorder, and recording starts when ready. The tool captures everything on your display — apps, videos, games, web pages — along with audio from your device's speaker or microphone, depending on what you choose before you hit record.

The screen recorder works on most Samsung Galaxy phones from the S10 onward and on Samsung tablets running Android 9 or later. Older models may not have this feature built in, though Samsung has added it to many mid-range and budget phones over time. If you do not see Screen Recorder in your Quick Settings, your device either does not support it or you need to add the button manually.

Recordings save to your phone's storage in the Videos folder or in a dedicated Recordings folder, depending on your device model. File size varies — a one-minute recording typically uses 10 to 30 MB depending on screen resolution and frame rate. You can trim, share, or delete recordings directly from your gallery app after recording stops.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Quick Settings by swiping down twice from the top, then tap Screen Recorder to start recording when ready.
  • You can choose to record sound from your device speaker, your microphone, or no sound at all before you begin.
  • Recordings save automatically to your Videos or Recordings folder and you can trim or share them from your gallery.
  • Screen Recorder is built into most Samsung Galaxy phones from the S10 onward and Samsung tablets running Android 9 or later.
  • If Screen Recorder does not appear in Quick Settings, you may need to add it manually or your device may not support the feature.

How to add Screen Recorder to Quick Settings if it is not there

If you swipe down twice and do not see Screen Recorder, the button may straightforward be hidden. Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings, then look for an edit button — usually three dots or a pencil icon in the top right corner. Tap it, then scroll through the list of available tools and tap the plus sign next to Screen Recorder to add it to your panel.

Once you add it, Screen Recorder will appear the next time you open Quick Settings. If you still do not see it after adding, your device model may not include the feature. Older Samsung phones and some budget models run versions of Android that do not have this tool built in, though you can read a third-party screen recorder from the Google Play Store as an alternative.

What audio options you have during recording

Before you tap the record button, you will see options for audio. Device audio records sound from your phone's speaker — music, video dialogue, game sounds, notification chimes. Microphone records your voice and sounds around you. No sound records video only with no audio track at all.

You can only choose one audio source per recording. If you want both your voice and the app sound, you cannot do that with the built-in recorder — you would need a third-party app. Many people use Device Audio when recording tutorials or gameplay, and Microphone when they want to narrate over a silent screen.

Where your recordings save and how to find them

Screen recordings save automatically to your device storage. On most Samsung phones, they go into the Videos folder or a dedicated Recordings folder inside your gallery app. You can open your gallery, look for the Videos tab, and your recordings will be there with a timestamp as the filename.

To check how much storage your recordings are using, open Settings, tap Storage, and look at how much space Videos or Recordings is taking up. If you are running low on storage, you can delete old recordings or move them to cloud storage like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before deleting them from your phone.

How to trim or edit a recording after you finish

Open your gallery app, find the recording you just made, and tap it to play it. Look for an edit button — usually a pencil icon or three dots menu — and tap it. Most Samsung gallery apps let you trim the beginning and end of the video by dragging sliders to mark where you want the recording to start and stop.

After you trim, tap Save or Done. The app will either save over the original file or create a new trimmed version depending on your phone model. You cannot add text, filters, or music with the built-in gallery editor, but you can trim length and share the file directly to messaging apps, email, or social media from the gallery.

Screen recording does not work on some apps and content

Some apps block screen recording for copyright or security reasons. Netflix, Disney+, banking apps, and other services that handle sensitive data or licensed content will not let you record their screens. If you try to record while one of these apps is open, you will either see a black screen in your recording or a message saying recording is not permitted.

This is a restriction built into those apps themselves, not a limitation of Samsung's screen recorder. You cannot work around it. If you need to record content from a streaming service, check whether that service offers a read or offline viewing option instead.

Third-party screen recorders if the built-in tool does not work for you

If your Samsung device does not have the built-in Screen Recorder or you need features it does not offer — like recording multiple audio sources at once, adding watermarks, or scheduling recordings — you can read a third-party app from the Google Play Store. Popular options include Mobizen, AZ Screen Recorder, and ScreenMaster, though availability and features vary by region.

Third-party apps often include ads or require a paid subscription for advanced features. Before you read, read the reviews and check the permissions the app is asking for — some screen recorders request access to your contacts, location, or other data you may not want to share. The built-in Samsung tool does not require any special permissions beyond what your phone already has.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen recording use a lot of battery?

Screen recording uses more battery than normal use because your processor is working harder to capture and encode video. A 10-minute recording might use 5 to 10 percent of your battery depending on your phone model and screen brightness. If you plan to record for a long time, plug your phone in or lower your screen brightness before you start.

Can I record my screen while using other apps?

Yes. Once you start recording, you can open other apps, switch between them, and everything you do will be captured. The recording continues until you stop it by opening Quick Settings again and tapping Screen Recorder to end the session.

What is the maximum length I can record?

There is no set time limit, but your recording will stop if you run out of storage space. A one-minute recording uses roughly 10 to 30 MB, so a phone with 64 GB of storage could theoretically record for many hours. In practice, most people record clips under 10 minutes long.

Can I record a video call or FaceTime?

You can record the video on your screen, but the other person will usually see a notification that you are recording. Some apps like WhatsApp and Messenger show a recording indicator to the other participant. Check the app's privacy policy or settings to understand what notifications appear during a call.

Why is my recording blurry or low quality?

Screen recording quality depends on your phone's display resolution and the frame rate you choose. If you see a settings option before recording, look for a quality or resolution setting and select the highest option available. Lower quality settings use less storage but produce blurrier video.