# How to record your screen with audio (PC, Mac, iPhone and Android)

> The tools already on your computer and phone for making a video of the screen, with your voice or with the device's sounds: Snipping Tool and Xbox Game Bar on Windows, the Screenshot app on Mac, Control Center on iPhone, Quick Settings on Android.

Source: https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/registrare-schermo
Author: SimpleBuild, Build simple. Deliver value.
Category: Windows PCs
Procedure verified on: 2026-09-30

Every system already has a tool for making a video of the screen: on **Windows** there's **Snipping Tool** (**Windows key + Shift + R**) and, to also get the PC's sounds, **Xbox Game Bar** (**Windows key + Alt + R**); on **Mac** the **Screenshot** app (**Shift + Command + 5**); on **iPhone** the record button in **Control Center**; on **Android** **Screen record** in **Quick Settings**.

Audio must be chosen **before** you start: it's the most common reason for silent videos.

## Before you start

- **Close private things.** The recording captures everything that appears: notifications, messages, passwords you type. Close the apps you don't need and, on your phone, turn on Do Not Disturb.
- **Decide which audio you need**: your voice (the **microphone**), the device's sounds (for example a video you're showing) or both.
- **Check your free space.** Videos take up much more space than photos.
- **Some apps can't be recorded.** Apple and Google say so clearly: it's not a fault.

## On Windows 11

### With Snipping Tool (a no-frills video)

1. Press **Windows key + Shift + R**.

   ![Three keys to press together: the key with the Windows logo, Shift and R.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/registrare-schermo-tasti-cattura-en.svg)

2. With the mouse, select the part of the screen to record.
3. Select **Start**. Do what you want to show.
4. When you're done, select **Stop**.
5. The video is saved automatically as an MP4 file in the **Videos** > **Screen Recordings** folder. From the window you can also choose **Edit in Clipchamp** to trim it or add captions and audio.

### With Xbox Game Bar (with microphone and PC sounds)

Game Bar was made for video games, but Microsoft also recommends it for recording any app: it records the game or program you have open.

**Turn it on, if it isn't already:**

1. Press **Windows key + I** to open **Settings**.
2. Type *xbox* in the search box and choose **Enable Xbox Game Bar**.
3. Turn on the switch.

**Have it record all the PC's sounds:**

1. Press **Windows key + G**: the Game Bar controls appear.
2. Open **Settings** (the gear) and choose **Capturing**.
3. Among the audio options, select **All**.
4. Press **Windows key + G** again to close.

**Record:**

1. Open the program or window to record.
2. Press **Windows key + Alt + R** to start.

   ![Three keys to press together: the key with the Windows logo, Alt and R.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/registrare-schermo-tasti-game-bar.svg)

3. To turn the **microphone** on or off during the recording, press **Windows key + Alt + M**.
4. To stop, press **Windows key + Alt + R** again.
5. You'll find the MP4 file in the **Videos** folder, under **Captures**: the name contains the app's name, the date and the time.

## On Mac

1. Press **Shift + Command + 5**: a toolbar appears at the bottom.
2. Choose what to record: **the entire screen**, **the selected window** (from macOS Tahoe 26) or **the selected portion**, a box you can enlarge by dragging its edges.

   ![The Screenshot app toolbar on Mac: three buttons to choose what to record, then Options and the blue Record button.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/registrare-schermo-mac-barra-en-696.webp) (Image: [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102618))

3. Click **Options** and, under the microphone, choose the one to use if you want to record **your voice**.
4. From **macOS 27**, the same menu has **Include System Audio**, to also record the Mac's sounds.
5. Also in **Options** you can set a timer, show your clicks with **Show Mouse Clicks** and choose where to save with **Save to**. By default the video goes to the **desktop**.
6. Click **Record** (or, if you're recording a window, click that window).
7. To stop, click the **Stop** button in the menu bar at the top, or press **Command + Control + Esc**.

The file is named "Screen Recording [date] at [time].mov" and opens with **QuickTime Player** or **iMovie**. Alternatively you can use **QuickTime Player**: **File** menu > **New Screen Recording**.

## On iPhone

### Add the button, if it isn't there

If you don't see the **Screen Recording** button in **Control Center**, you need to add it by customizing the Control Center controls.

### Record with the microphone

1. Swipe down from the **top-right corner** of the screen: **Control Center** opens.
2. **Touch and hold** the gray record button.
3. Tap **Microphone** to turn it on, then tap **Start Recording**.
4. After a 3-second countdown the recording starts. Close Control Center and do what you want to show.
5. To stop: if your iPhone has the **Dynamic Island** (the black pill at the top), tap the red circle and then the stop button; on other models tap the **red timer** at the top left and then **Stop**.

   ![Top of an iPhone with Dynamic Island: the words Screen Recording with the time in red and, on the right, the red button to stop.](https://simplebuild.it/assets/img/tutorial/registrare-schermo-iphone-interrompi-en-760.webp) (Image: [Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102653))

If you only need the video without your voice, in step 2 tap the button once, without holding it.

The video is in the **Photos** app: **Collections** > **Media Types** > **Screen Recordings**. You can't record the screen while you're mirroring it to a TV.

## On Android

Names can vary a little from one brand to another; these are the steps given by Google.

1. Swipe down **twice** from the top of the screen: **Quick Settings** opens.
2. Tap **Screen record**. If you don't see it, swipe right; if it's really not there, tap **Edit** and drag it into Quick Settings.
3. Choose what to record. Before starting you can choose **whether to record audio** and whether to show touches on the screen.
4. Tap **Start**: the recording begins after the countdown.
5. To stop, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the **Screen recorder** notification.

The video is in the **Photos** app: **Collections** > **On this device** > **Movies**.

## If it still doesn't work

- **Is the video silent?** Do it again, checking the audio **before** you start: on Windows with Game Bar the **All** option and the microphone; on Mac the microphone in **Options**; on iPhone the **Microphone** button; on Android the audio choice before **Start**.
- **Game Bar doesn't start with Windows key + Alt + R?** Check that it's turned on as explained above, and that the program you want to record is open in front. If you can't get it to work, use Snipping Tool.
- **Is the video black or is a window missing?** Some apps (movies, banks, some video calls) block recording.
- **Do you only need a picture?** A screenshot is simpler: see the guides for [Windows](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-pc-windows), [Mac](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-mac) and [iPhone and Android](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/screenshot-iphone-android).
- **Is the video too big to send?** Record only the part of the screen you need and keep the recording short. If your phone fills up, see how to [free up space on iPhone](https://simplebuild.it/tutorial/liberare-spazio-iphone).
- **When to call a technician:** if you need frequent, polished recordings (courses, presentations, tutorials for clients), it's worth setting up the microphone, folders and the right format once and for all, so you don't have to think about it every time.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a paid program to record my screen?

Not for everyday use: Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android already have a built-in tool. You only need separate programs for special needs, such as complex editing.

### Why is the recording silent?

Usually the microphone or the device audio wasn't turned on before starting. On every system the audio is chosen before you press Record: check the options and try again.

### Can I record a video call or a movie?

Some apps don't allow themselves to be recorded, and both Apple and Google say so too. If you record a call, always tell the other people first.

## Sources

- [Keyboard shortcuts in Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/keyboard-shortcuts-in-windows)
- [Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots)
- [Use a screen reader to record your screen with Xbox Game Bar](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-record-your-screen-with-xbox-game-bar)
- [How to record the screen on Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102618)
- [Take a screen recording on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/take-a-screen-recording-iph52f6e1987/ios)
- [Record the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102653)
- [Take a screenshot or record your screen on your Android device](https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075928?hl=en)