Samsung's built-in screen recording tool is in your Quick Settings panel

Samsung devices come with a screen recorder already installed. You do not need to read an app or pay for software. Open your Quick Settings by swiping down twice from the top of your screen, find the Screen Recorder icon, tap it, and recording starts when ready. The icon looks like a small circle with a dot inside.

The recorder captures everything on your display — apps, games, videos, web pages — along with audio from your device's speaker. You can record for as long as your storage allows. When you are done, swipe down to Quick Settings again and tap Screen Recorder to stop. Your video saves automatically to your Gallery app in a folder called Recordings.

This method works on Samsung phones running Android 9 and newer, and on most Samsung tablets. The exact location of the Screen Recorder icon may shift slightly depending on your device model and Android version, but it is always in Quick Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap Screen Recorder in your Quick Settings panel to start recording your display when ready without opening a separate app.
  • The recorder captures your screen and device audio by default, and you can record until your storage runs out.
  • Stop recording by opening Quick Settings again and tapping Screen Recorder a second time.
  • Your finished video appears in your Gallery app under a Recordings folder and can be shared or edited like any other video file.
  • If Screen Recorder does not appear in Quick Settings, you may need to add it by tapping the edit button and dragging it into your visible icons.

Finding Screen Recorder if it is not visible in Quick Settings

On some Samsung devices, Screen Recorder is installed but hidden by default. Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings, then look for a button that looks like three dots or says "Edit." Tap it to see all available tools. Scroll down until you find Screen Recorder, then drag it upward into the main Quick Settings panel so it appears when you swipe down.

If you still do not see Screen Recorder after checking the full list, your device may be running an older version of Android. Check your device settings by going to Settings > About Phone > Software Information and looking at the Android version number. Devices on Android 8 and earlier do not include the built-in recorder.

Choosing what audio to record with your screen

Before you start recording, you can decide whether to capture sound from your device's speaker, your microphone, or both. Tap Screen Recorder in Quick Settings and hold it (do not just tap once). A menu appears with audio options. Select the one you need: Mute records video only with no sound, Media Audio captures only what plays through your speaker, and Microphone records only what you say into your phone's mic.

Some Samsung models also offer a Media and Microphone option that captures both at once. Choose before you tap the record button, because you cannot change the audio setting once recording has started. If you forget to set it and need to re-record, stop the current recording and start a new one with the correct audio setting.

Stopping and finding your recorded video

While recording, a small floating icon appears on your screen showing that recording is active. You can continue using your phone normally — open other apps, switch between screens, or adjust volume. When you are ready to stop, swipe down to Quick Settings and tap Screen Recorder again. The recording stops and saves when ready.

Your video file appears in the Gallery app. Open Gallery, tap the menu (three lines or dots), and look for a Recordings folder, or scroll through your recent files. The video is ready to watch, share, or edit. You can send it via text, email, or social media, or trim it using your phone's built-in video editor.

Troubleshooting common screen recording problems

If your recording stops unexpectedly, you may have run out of storage space. Check your device storage by going to Settings > Storage. If you are close to full, delete old files or videos to free up room. Screen recording pauses automatically when storage drops below a certain threshold to prevent your phone from freezing.

If the audio is not recording even though you selected an audio option, check your device volume. Press the volume buttons on the side of your phone to make sure media volume is turned up. Also confirm that you did not accidentally select Mute. If you are trying to record a call or video chat, some apps block screen recording for privacy reasons — the recorder will start but may not capture audio from that specific app.

If Screen Recorder crashes or closes when ready after you tap it, restart your phone and try again. If the problem continues, go to Settings > Apps > Screen Recorder, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache. This removes temporary files that may be causing the crash.

Screen recording versus taking a screenshot

Screen recording captures video of your display over time, while a screenshot freezes a single moment. Use a screenshot when you only need to save one image — press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time, or swipe the edge of your hand across the screen. Use screen recording when you need to show a process, capture a conversation, record gameplay, or document something that moves or changes.

Screenshots save to your Gallery when ready and take almost no storage. Screen recordings use more space because they are video files, but they let you capture far more information. A 10-minute screen recording typically uses 100 to 300 megabytes depending on your screen resolution and whether audio is included.

Editing or sharing your screen recording

After your recording saves, open Gallery and find your video. Tap it to play it back. To trim the video, tap the edit button (usually a pencil icon) and use the slider at the bottom to cut out the beginning or end. You can also add text, stickers, or filters if your Gallery app includes those tools.

To share your recording, tap the share icon (usually an arrow pointing outward) and choose your method: text message, email, social media, cloud storage, or messaging apps. If the file is large and your connection is slow, consider uploading it to Google Drive or another cloud service instead of sending it directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen while using other apps?

Yes. Once you start recording, you can open any app, switch between screens, or adjust settings. The recorder continues capturing your display in the background. You can even lock your phone and the recording continues, though the screen will show your lock screen.

Does screen recording drain my battery?

Screen recording uses more battery than normal use because your processor is working to capture and encode video. A 10-minute recording may 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 first.

What happens if I get a phone call while recording?

The recording stops automatically when an incoming call arrives. Your video saves up to that point. After you finish the call, you can start a new recording if you need to continue.

Can I record a video call or FaceTime?

Screen recording works, but many apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and FaceTime block audio capture for privacy. Your video will record, but the other person's voice may not. You can still record the visual part of the call.

How much storage does a screen recording use?

A one-minute screen recording typically uses 10 to 30 megabytes. A 10-minute recording uses roughly 100 to 300 megabytes. The exact amount depends on your screen resolution, frame rate, and whether audio is included. Higher resolution screens use more storage.