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 anything. The tool is called Screen Recorder, and it lives in your Quick Settings, the panel you pull down from the top of your screen. On most Samsung phones and tablets running Android 9 or later, you can start recording in about three taps.

The exact location and name of the button can shift slightly between Samsung models and Android versions, but the process is nearly identical across all recent Samsung devices. If you cannot find it in Quick Settings, it may be hidden in a folder or you may need to add it manually—both are quick fixes covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Pull down your Quick Settings panel twice and look for a button labeled "Screen Recorder" or "Record" to start recording when ready.
  • Before you record, choose your audio source (microphone, system sound, or both) and video quality in the pop-up menu that appears.
  • If Screen Recorder is not visible in Quick Settings, you can add it by tapping "Edit" at the bottom of the Quick Settings panel.
  • Recordings are saved to your Gallery or Files app in a folder called Recordings, and you can trim or share them from there.
  • Screen recording uses battery and storage space; stop recording as soon as you are done to preserve both.

Finding and opening Screen Recorder in Quick Settings

Swipe down from the top of your screen once to open the notification panel, then swipe down again to reveal the full Quick Settings grid. Look for a button labeled Screen Recorder, Record, or sometimes Screenrecorder—the exact label depends on your Samsung model and Android version. Tap it once.

A small menu will pop up asking you to choose your audio settings before recording starts. You can pick Microphone (to record your voice), System audio (to record sounds from the device itself, like app audio or notifications), or Mute (to record video with no sound). Some Samsung models also let you choose video quality—Standard or High—in this same menu. Once you have made your choices, tap Start or the red record button.

A floating red circle or banner will appear on your screen to show that recording is active. You can now use your phone or tablet normally; everything you do will be captured. When you are finished, pull down Quick Settings again and tap the Screen Recorder button once more, or tap the red recording indicator itself.

Adding Screen Recorder to Quick Settings if it is not visible

If you do not see Screen Recorder in your Quick Settings panel, it may be hidden or placed in a folder. Pull down Quick Settings twice to see the full grid, then look for a button labeled Edit or a pencil icon at the bottom. Tap it.

You will see a list of available tools, some with a plus sign next to them. Scroll down until you find Screen Recorder and tap the plus sign to add it to your Quick Settings. Once added, tap the back arrow or Done to close the editor. Screen Recorder should now appear in your Quick Settings grid the next time you pull it down.

If you still cannot find it after adding, your device may be running an older version of Android or Samsung software. Check your Settings app under About phone to see your Android version. Devices running Android 8 or earlier may not have a built-in screen recorder; in that case, you can read a third-party app from the Google Play Store instead.

Choosing audio and quality settings before you record

The menu that appears after you tap Screen Recorder gives you control over what sound is captured. Microphone records your voice and any ambient sound around you—useful if you are narrating a tutorial or recording a video call. System audio captures sounds from your apps and device—notifications, music, game sounds, or video playback. Mute records video only, with no audio at all.

Some Samsung models let you pick video quality in this same menu. Standard quality uses less storage and battery but produces a smaller file. High quality captures more detail but creates a larger file and drains your battery faster. If you are recording a long session or your storage is low, Standard is usually the safer choice.

You can change these settings each time you record—there is no need to pick one and stick with it. If you forget to choose audio before tapping Start, you can stop the recording, pull down Quick Settings again, and start over with different settings.

Where your recordings are saved and how to find them

When you stop recording, your video is automatically saved to your device. On most Samsung phones, recordings go into the Gallery app in a folder called Recordings or Videos. On some models, they may appear in the Files app under DCIM or Movies. Open either app and look for a folder with a recent date—your recording will be there.

The file name usually starts with "screenrecorder" or "screen_recording" followed by the date and time. You can tap any recording to play it, and a menu will appear with options to trim, share, delete, or edit the video. Trimming lets you cut out the beginning or end without opening a separate video editor.

Keep in mind that screen recordings take up storage space. A one-minute recording at Standard quality is usually 5 to 15 megabytes, while High quality can be 20 to 40 megabytes or more. If your storage is running low, delete old recordings or move them to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, or Samsung Cloud) to free up space.

Stopping the recording and what happens next

While recording, a red indicator appears at the top of your screen or as a floating button. To stop, pull down Quick Settings and tap Screen Recorder again, or tap the red indicator directly. The recording will stop when ready and be saved.

You will see a notification confirming the recording was saved, usually with a thumbnail of the video. Tap the notification to open the recording in your Gallery or Files app. From there, you can play it, trim it, share it to social media or messaging apps, or delete it.

Troubleshooting common screen recording problems

If your screen recording stops unexpectedly, it may be because your storage is full or your device ran out of battery. Check your available storage in Settings under Storage and delete files if needed. If your battery is low, plug in your device before recording long sessions.

If the audio is not recording even though you selected Microphone or System audio, check that your device volume is not muted. Press the volume up button on the side of your phone to unmute it, then try recording again. Some apps, like banking or payment apps, block screen recording for security reasons—if you try to record inside one of these apps, the recording may fail or produce a blank video.

If Screen Recorder crashes or freezes, restart your device and try again. If the problem continues, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Screen Recorder, and tap Storage and then Clear Cache. This removes temporary files that may be causing the issue without deleting your saved recordings.

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. Everything you do will be captured. The only exception is apps that block recording for security, like banking or payment apps—these will either refuse to record or show a blank screen.

Does screen recording drain my battery quickly?

Yes, screen recording uses more battery than normal use because your processor and display are working harder. If you are recording for a long time, keep your device plugged in. Choosing Standard quality instead of High also helps preserve battery.

Can I record internal audio from an app without my voice?

Yes. In the audio menu before you start recording, select System audio instead of Microphone. This captures sounds from your apps and device but not your voice or background noise.

What if I want to record with both my voice and app audio?

Unfortunately, Samsung's built-in Screen Recorder does not have a built-in option to mix microphone and system audio at the same time. You can record one or the other, but not both together. Some third-party screen recording apps from the Google Play Store offer this feature if you need it.

How long can I record before my device stops automatically?

There is no built-in time limit on Samsung screen recordings. You can record until your storage is full or your battery dies. However, very long recordings create very large files, so it is a good idea to stop recording when you are done to save space.