How to record your screen on pc

Need to record your computer screen or phone? Find out how to screen record on Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android devices with step-by-step instructions.

Laptop computer, mobile phone, almost every device—Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android—has a built-in way to record your screen, but each one is different.

If you’re an iPhone or Mac user, you’ve probably noticed that it’s pretty easy to record your screen in just a few steps. Using a Windows computer or laptop, you may have to kick it old-school and use something like PowerPoint. (Yes, really.) And lord help anyone trying to screen record on an older Android device who isn’t a developer.

We’ve got you covered whether you’re looking to screen record on a mobile device or your desktop. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to record your screen.

The built-in functionality of these devices and operating systems are good options, but you may need to go beyond basic screen recording. If you’re looking for additional functionality (perhaps editing or multiple recording options), be sure to check out our post on the best screen recorders.

1. Contents
2. 1. How to Record Your Screen
3. 1.1 How to Screen Record on Mac
4. 1.1.1 Native Screen Record on Mac
5. 1.1.2 QuickTime Screen Record on Mac
6. 1.2 How to Screen Record on Windows
7. 1.2.1 PowerPoint Screen Recording
8. 1.2.2 Screen Recording Windows 10 (The Xbox App)
9. 1.3 How to Screen Record on Chromebook
10. 1.3.1 Native Screen Record on Chromebook
11. 1.3.2 Vidyard Chrome Extension on Chromebook
12. 1.4 How to Screen Record on iPhone
13. 1.5 How to Screen Record on Android
14. 1.5.1 Screen Record on Android 11 or Higher
15. 1.5.2 Screen Record on Older Android Devices

How to Record Your Screen

Simply put, a screen recording is when you record a video of what’s happening on your device screen.

You may want to record your computer or laptop screen for several reasons. A simple screen recording can be used to demonstrate how your product works to a potential customer—running into a technical problem while working remotely? Capture a bug to share with your Dev or IT team. Need to teach a colleague how to do something or onboard your new intern? Capture the workflow on your computer screen to make training easier. A hybrid screen recording (where you capture yourself and your screen) lets you build personal connections with prospects or share feedback with someone. You can even use it to save yourself from writing a long email.

When it comes to recording your computer screen, you can use a built-in screen record feature or download a screen recording software application or tool.

Most built-in screen recorders can:

• Record a video of what’s happening on screen
• Record audio
• Save the video, either to your device or the cloud

Some screen recording software (like Vidyard’s Chrome extension and Vidyard for Desktop) goes further and lets you capture a webcam video of yourself talking, displayed in a bubble alongside your screen recording, so you can add a personal touch to your explanation.

How to Screen Record on Mac

If you’re on macOS Mojave or higher, there’s a built-in feature for recording your screen, and it’s as easy as pressing a hotkey. (This is why people like Macs.)

Native Screen Record on Mac

1. Press Command + Shift + 5
2. Select whether you want to capture the entire screen, a window, or a selection (otherwise, it’ll begin recording the entire screen automatically)
3. When done, click Stop to end the recording
4. Your recording will appear as a thumbnail at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, click it to choose where to save the video

QuickTime Screen Record on Mac

Alternatively, you can use QuickTime, which is native on all Macs:

1. Open QuickTime
2. Select File and then New Screen Recording
3. Click the red Record button to start
4. To stop, click the Record button again
5. To save, click File, then Save

Pro Tip: If you only need to save a screenshot on Mac, press Command + Shift + 4 and select the area you want to capture.

How to Screen Record on Windows

Screen recording isn’t a built-in feature on a Windows PC like it is on a Mac. The easiest way to record your screen on Windows is to use PowerPoint.

PowerPoint Screen Recording

1. Open PowerPoint
2. Click the Insert tab and select Screen Recording
3. Select the area you want to record—to select the entire screen, press Windows Key + Shift + F
4. Click the Record button, or press Windows + Shift + R
5. To end the recording, click Stop
6. When it’s over, you can save the recording as a video file (separate from the PowerPoint presentation)

Screen Recording Windows 10 (The Xbox App)

Microsoft preloads the Xbox Game Bar on Windows devices so you can record video games, but it works just as well for businesses.

1. Type “Xbox” into the Windows search bar and open the app
2. Hold Windows + G on your keyboard
3. Click Yes, this is a game
4. To begin, click Record or press Windows + Alt + R
5. To end, click Stop

Pro Tip: If you only need to take a screenshot on Windows 10, press Ctrl + PrntScrn, select the area you want to capture, and release.

How to Screen Record on Chromebook

Chromebook now has a native screen recorder installed at factory settings, but if you want more functionality like a video library, you can use an easy-to-access Chrome extension like Vidyard.

Vidyard’s Chrome extension is super easy to install. Once installed, the extension allows you to quickly record and share videos directly from your web browser. You’ll also have easy access to your existing library as well as a notifications feed to keep tabs on incoming video views and related video analytics.

Native Screen Record on Chromebook

1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows
2. In the menu at the bottom, select Screen Record
3. Select an option:
   • Record the full screen
   • Record a partial screen
   • Record a window
4. To stop recording, at the bottom right, select Stop recording

Vidyard Chrome Extension on Chromebook

1. Select the Vidyard extension in the upper right corner of your browser
   
2. Pick the recording type that you have selected (this will determine what gets captured in your video)
   • Screen: Records your computer’s entire screen
   • Camera: Records a video using your webcam (a “selfie-style” video)
   • Screen + Camera: Records both your screen and camera at the same time
     
3. Do an Audio Test to indicate that your microphone is working and able to pick up sound. To change the microphone or camera that you use to record, use the dropdown menus to select another available input source
4. Once you’re satisfied with the recording options you’ve selected, click onStart Recording

How To Screen Record with Vidyard Chrome Extension

You can record videos and screen record in a few simple steps.

How to Screen Record on iPhone

Most iPhones have a native feature for screen recording.

1. Go to Settings, Control Center, Customize Controls, and tap + next to Screen Recording
2. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (if using an iPhone X, swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen)
3. Long press on the circle record button and tap Microphone to enable audio recording
4. Once you’ve done that, you can tap Start Recording
5. If you’ve previously enabled your microphone (or don’t want to record audio), simply tap the circle record button (there’ll be a three-second countdown before your recording begins)
6. A red Recording bar will appear at the top of the screen when your recording begins—when you’re finished, tap that bar to bring up the Stop screen recording? option
7. Tap Stop to stop recording (or hit Cancel to continue recording)
8. You can find your recording in your Photos app

Pro Tip: Hold the iPhone Home Button and press the Power button on the side if you only need to take a screenshot on the iPhone. If you have an iPhone X or later, hold the Lock and Volume up buttons at the same time.

How to Screen Record on Android

Screen Record on Android 11 or Higher

With Android 11 or higher, native screen record is included as an option and can be found in the quick settings area of your device.

1. Go to Quick Settings (or search for) “Screen recorder”
2. Tap the app to open it
3. Choose your sound and video quality settings and click Done
4. For your first recording, it will ask for permission to access your device, prompt you to choose your sound settings, and give you the option to Cancel or Start recording
5. Press Start recording
6. Hit the square stop button when you’re finished recording
7. You can find your recording in your gallery or photos app

Screen Record on Older Android Devices

If you’re running an older version of Android, you may be able to screen record, but it takes some digging to find and enable. You’ll need to enable your Android device’s developer mode to allow screen recording.

1. Go to Settings, About Phone, and tap the Build Number button seven times—it will say, “You’re now a developer!”
2. Return to Settings and select Advanced, Developer Options, then Feature Flags
3. Toggle on settings_screenrecord_long_press
4. Now you’re set up to record your screen
5. Long-press the screenshot button and it’ll bring up a popup menu
6. Tap Start Recording (a new popup will display)
7. Tap Start Now
8. To end, tap Stop
9. The video will show up in your default photo gallery

Pro Tip: If you only need to take a screenshot on Android, hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously.

If you need to move beyond basic screen recording and are looking for the best screen recorder for your business (free and paid), be sure to check out our post on the best screen recorders.

This post was originally published on October 1, 2019. It was updated on September 17, 2021.