Ultimate 2025 Guide: How to Screen Record on iPhone (All iOS Versions) with Internal and External Audio Control

The ability to capture high-quality video of your phone’s screen is one of the most useful features baked into modern Apple devices. Whether you need to create a quick tutorial for a family member, record a high score in a mobile game, or save a crucial sequence from a video call, the built-in screen recording tool on the iPhone provides a seamless, high-resolution solution. Starting with iOS 11, Apple integrated this function directly into the operating system, eliminating the need for third-party apps or cumbersome connections to a computer.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from the initial setup on any modern iPhone—including the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 series—to mastering crucial features like microphone control, internal audio capture, and professional trimming. The process is straightforward, but setting up the feature and understanding the critical audio options are key to recording success.

Initial Setup: Adding Screen Recording to Control Center

The iPhone’s screen recording feature lives within the Control Center, the centralized hub for quick toggles and settings. For most users, this feature is not visible by default and must be manually added.

1. Accessing Control Center Settings

The journey begins in the main Settings app, which allows you to customize which controls are accessible with a simple swipe on your device.

• Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the grey gear icon on your home screen. This takes you to the main iOS configuration menu.
• Navigate to Control Center: Scroll down the main list of settings until you find and tap the Control Center option. This menu controls the layout and inclusion of all quick-access features.
• Review Included Controls: At the top, you will see a section labeled Included Controls. These are the features currently visible when you swipe to open the Control Center.

2. Adding the Screen Recording Toggle

If you do not see an icon representing a solid circle inside a hollow circle (the Screen Recording icon) in the “Included Controls” section, you must add it from the list of available controls.

• Locate “More Controls”: Scroll down the screen past the “Included Controls” to find the section labeled More Controls. This lists all available toggles not currently in use.
• Find Screen Recording: Look for the item labeled Screen Recording. It will have a green plus sign (+) icon next to it.
• Tap the Plus Sign: Tap the green plus sign next to “Screen Recording.” The control will immediately jump from the “More Controls” section up to the “Included Controls” list. It will now be readily accessible in your Control Center.

Once added, you can rearrange the order of controls in the “Included Controls” section by dragging the three-line grab handles on the right side of each item. Placing the Screen Recording button near the top makes it faster to initiate a recording.

The Core Recording Process: Start, Stop, and Save

With the icon successfully added to your Control Center, the recording process is a simple, two-step operation.

1. Opening the Control Center and Preparing to Record

The way you open the Control Center depends on your iPhone model:

• Face ID Models (iPhone X and later, including the 11 series): Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (where the battery icon is located).
• Touch ID Models (iPhone 8 and earlier/SE 2nd & 3rd gen): Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.

Once the Control Center is open, locate the Screen Recording button (the solid circle inside a hollow circle). You have two ways to interact with this button, depending on whether you need sound:

1. Tap Once (No Microphone Audio): A single tap starts the recording sequence with only the internal system audio (app sounds, music, etc.) captured.
2. Touch and Hold (Audio Options Menu): Pressing and holding (or using 3D/Haptic Touch on older models) opens an expanded menu. This is the critical step for enabling external audio.

2. Initiating the Recording with Countdown

After tapping the icon, a prominent three-second countdown (3-2-1) begins. This gives you a brief window to close the Control Center and navigate to the specific screen or app you intend to record. The countdown is a thoughtful feature designed to prevent the Control Center interface itself from being part of the final video.

Once the countdown reaches zero, the recording begins. You will see a visual indicator confirming that the capture is active. On Face ID iPhones (like the iPhone 11 and newer models), this indicator typically appears as a red, pill-shaped bubble or bar surrounding the clock and other icons at the top of the screen. On older Touch ID models, the entire status bar at the top of the screen turns red.

3. Stopping and Saving the Recording

To end the screen capture, you have two equally effective options:

1. Tap the Status Indicator: The simplest way is to tap the red status indicator (the red pill or bar) at the top of the screen. A prompt will appear asking, “Would you like to stop screen recording?” Tap Stop.
2. Use the Control Center: Alternatively, swipe down (or up) to open the Control Center again and tap the Screen Recording button once more. This acts as a simple toggle, ending the recording instantly.

Immediately after stopping the recording, a notification banner will briefly appear at the top of the screen stating: “Screen Recording video saved to Photos.” All screen recordings are automatically saved as MP4 files in the Photos app, where they can be viewed, edited, and shared.

Mastering Audio Control: Internal vs. External Sound

One of the most common issues users encounter is controlling the audio source. The iPhone’s built-in recorder is capable of capturing two distinct types of audio simultaneously, but you must know how to toggle the external source.

1. Capturing Internal System Audio

Internal audio, also known as system audio, refers to any sound generated by the iPhone itself—such as music playing, the audio track of a game, video playback from an app, or notification sounds. This audio is captured automatically and by default whenever you start a screen recording, provided the iPhone is not in Silent mode.

• Silence Mode Warning: If your iPhone’s physical Ring/Silent switch is set to silent, it may prevent some system audio (like notification chimes) from being recorded, though media playback audio is usually unaffected. For the most reliable internal audio recording, ensure your iPhone is not set to silent.
• Volume Level: The system audio volume is recorded based on the iPhone’s current volume setting. If your phone’s volume is muted or very low while recording, the resulting video will have little to no internal sound. Always set the media volume to an appropriate level before beginning the capture.

2. Enabling and Disabling Microphone Audio

Microphone audio (or external audio) captures sound from the environment via the iPhone’s built-in microphone. This is essential for recording voiceovers, commentary, or the sound of your surroundings. This feature is off by default and must be manually enabled for each recording session.

• Access the Audio Toggle: Open the Control Center and Touch and hold the Screen Recording button (the solid circle inside the hollow circle). The expanded options menu will appear.
• Toggle the Microphone: At the bottom of this menu, you will see a large button labeled Microphone Audio. If it is grey, the microphone is off. Tap it once to turn it on—it will turn red, indicating that the microphone is active and ready to record your external voice or environmental sound.
• Start Recording: Once the microphone is red, tap Start Recording at the top of the pop-up menu. The 3-second countdown will begin, and the recording will capture both internal system audio and external microphone audio.

It is important to note that the microphone setting does not persist. After you stop a recording, the microphone audio setting usually reverts to off, meaning you must repeat the touch-and-hold step to enable it for the next session.

Advanced Audio Scenarios and Troubleshooting

For professional recordings, understanding how iOS handles sound output in conjunction with external devices is crucial.

Handling Headphone and Bluetooth Connections

When you are wearing AirPods or another Bluetooth headset, the microphone for your commentary (external audio) will typically default to the external headset’s microphone, rather than the iPhone’s built-in mic. This can result in clearer voice quality if the headset is high-quality, but it is a potential trap if you forget you are wearing them.

Furthermore, if you are listening to audio through a Bluetooth device, the recorded internal audio may or may not be captured, depending on the specific application and iOS version. For the most reliable capture of internal app audio, it is generally recommended to disconnect Bluetooth headphones and instead play the sound through the iPhone’s internal speakers.

Privacy and Content Restrictions (DRM)

Apple places strict controls on capturing protected or private content. Apps that handle sensitive information or copyrighted media will block the screen recording function. This often includes:

• Streaming Services: Apps like Netflix, Apple TV+, or certain proprietary media players often display a black screen or simply skip the frames where copyrighted content is playing, even while the rest of the recording continues. This is due to Digital Rights Management (DRM) protections.
• Video Calls: While screen recording will capture the video feed of a FaceTime call or other third-party communication apps like Zoom or WhatsApp, iOS security often prevents the audio of the other party from being recorded to protect privacy. This is a common, built-in limitation.

The Importance of Do Not Disturb Mode

Nothing ruins a professional-looking tutorial faster than a sudden text message banner appearing at the top of the screen. Before recording, always engage Do Not Disturb (or a relevant Focus mode). This silences notifications, alerts, and calls, preventing them from interrupting your screen flow and appearing in the final video. Access Do Not Disturb via the Control Center and toggle the crescent moon icon.

Editing and Managing Your Screen Recordings

Once you finish recording, the file is ready for immediate use. However, a quick edit in the Photos app can refine your video and remove the unsightly start and stop sequences.

1. Locating and Trimming the Video

The screen recording is saved directly to your Photos app. You can find it under the Recents album, or more specifically, under the Media Types section by selecting the Screen Recordings album.

• Accessing the Editor: Tap the video, then tap Edit in the top-right corner. This opens the standard iOS video editing interface.
• Trimming the Start/End: The most important editing step is trimming. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a frame-by-frame timeline with two sliders: a yellow slider at the start and an end. Drag the yellow start slider forward to the precise moment your demonstration begins, thus removing the Control Center closing sequence. Drag the yellow end slider backward to cut off the moment you tap the red status bar to stop.
• Saving the Changes: Once satisfied, tap Done and choose Save Video as New Clip (to preserve the original) or Save Video (to overwrite the original file).

2. Storage and Quality Considerations

The iPhone screen recorder captures video at the device’s native resolution, often at a smooth 60 frames per second (fps). While this delivers excellent quality, it results in large file sizes. A one-minute, high-resolution recording can easily consume over 100 megabytes (MB) of storage.

• Monitor Storage: If you plan to create several long recordings, regularly check your iPhone’s storage via Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Low storage can cause recordings to fail unexpectedly or compromise the smooth frame rate.
• Transfer Large Files: For long-term storage or professional editing, transfer the recordings to a computer using AirDrop (for Mac users) or a physical cable connection. This frees up crucial space on your phone and allows for more advanced, lossless editing.
• HEVC vs. H.264: Modern iPhones often use the High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC or H.265) standard to save space without sacrificing quality. If you are sharing the video with a system that may not support HEVC (like older PCs or specific web platforms), you might need to convert the file to the older H.264 standard using a third-party app or desktop software before sharing.

Pro Tips for Professional Results

To move beyond basic screen capture and create polished, high-quality content, implement these expert strategies.

• Optimize for Presentation Quality:Before recording, maximize your screen’s visibility. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and temporarily set your brightness slider to maximum. This ensures clarity in the final video, especially if it will be viewed on a monitor or projector. Also, ensure your background is tidy if you are recording from the home screen, by moving non-essential or distracting apps into a single folder or onto a separate page.
• Use the Clean Stop Trick (AssistiveTouch):The biggest giveaway of an amateur recording is the visible tap on the red status bar to stop the capture. While trimming helps, a truly seamless stop can be achieved by using AssistiveTouch. Enable it in Settings > Accessibility and set its function to Stop Screen Recording. When you are done, simply tap the floating AssistiveTouch button on the screen, and the recording stops cleanly, often resulting in a superior end-frame that requires less trimming.
• Prepare the Environment for Audio:When recording narration, move to a quiet, sound-dampened room. Avoid areas with noticeable echo, air conditioning noise, or ambient conversations. If possible, use a high-quality external microphone or a dedicated lavalier mic plugged into your iPhone’s Lightning or USB-C port. Even a simple pair of wired Apple headphones with an inline mic will produce clearer voice audio than the iPhone’s built-in mic in a noisy environment.
• Crop the Status Bar Post-Production:Even after trimming the start and end, the status bar (showing the time, battery, Wi-Fi icon, and sometimes the red recording indicator) remains visible at the top of the video. For a completely distraction-free, full-screen result, use the cropping tool in the Photos app’s editor. Crop the top and bottom of the video slightly to remove the status bar and the home indicator (the thin bar at the bottom of the screen on Face ID devices). This gives the viewer a cleaner focus on the core content.
• Utilize Zoom for Clarity:If you are demonstrating a small icon or a specific setting, move the screen element to the center and slightly zoom into the video during post-production. Although the Photos app doesn’t allow video zooming, transferring the clip to a simple desktop editor (like iMovie or Clipchamp) enables you to add subtle Ken Burns effects or zoom-in animations to draw the viewer’s attention to key elements, significantly boosting instructional value.
• Manage Notifications Strategically:While Do Not Disturb is recommended, sometimes you might want to showcase a notification, such as demonstrating how an alert appears. In this case, ensure all other notifications are paused. If the notification you want to show is a proprietary app, confirm that the app allows content capture. In all other cases, keep Do Not Disturb active to preserve professional quality.

Troubleshooting and Limitations

Encountering issues during screen recording is common, but most problems have simple fixes rooted in audio settings or app permissions.

Microphone Audio Not Recording

This is the number one complaint when using the built-in recorder. The key is almost always the toggle switch.

1. Check the Toggle: Did you long-press the Screen Recording icon in the Control Center and ensure the Microphone Audio button turned red before tapping ‘Start Recording’? If the button remains gray, the microphone will not be active.
2. Check External Connections: Are you using wired or Bluetooth headphones? Disconnect them. Sometimes iOS defaults audio input or output to these devices, leading to silent or unexpectedly distorted audio in the final recording.
3. Verify App Permissions: While rare for the built-in feature, ensure no restrictions are blocking your microphone system-wide. Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone to ensure no security profile is preventing access.

Recording Icon Is Grayed Out

If the Screen Recording icon in the Control Center is present but appears gray or unresponsive, it indicates a conflict or a system-level restriction.

• Screen Mirroring Conflict: You cannot simultaneously screen record and use Screen Mirroring (AirPlay). If your iPhone is connected to an Apple TV or other display, disconnect the mirror first.
• Restrictions (Parental Controls): If you are using a managed device or if Parental Controls are active, the feature may be disabled. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and ensure that the recording function is not blocked under the relevant settings.
• System Glitch: If none of the above apply, a simple restart of your iPhone will often clear temporary glitches that cause Control Center icons to malfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does screen recording capture phone calls or FaceTime audio?

A: Generally, no. For privacy and legal reasons, the iPhone’s operating system blocks the capture of the audio from active phone calls or video conferencing apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Zoom. While the video and microphone audio (your voice) will be recorded, the audio of the person on the other end is usually suppressed in the final recording.

Q: Where are my screen recordings saved, and what is the file format?

A: All screen recordings are automatically saved to the Photos app. They are stored in the Recents album, and you can quickly find them by navigating to the Albums tab and selecting the Screen Recordings album under Media Types. The default file format used by the iPhone is typically MP4 encoded with the highly efficient HEVC (H.265) codec, which balances quality and file size effectively.

Q: Can I record my screen on an older iPhone that doesn’t have Face ID?

A: Yes, absolutely. The screen recording feature was introduced in iOS 11. Any iPhone running iOS 11 or a later version can use this feature. The only difference is how you access the Control Center: on iPhones with a physical Home button (Touch ID), you swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen, whereas on Face ID models (iPhone X and newer), you swipe down from the top-right corner.

Q: Why does my recording stop unexpectedly after a few minutes?

A: This is usually related to available storage or overheating. If your iPhone’s internal storage is critically low (typically under 1GB of free space), the operating system may abruptly stop the recording to prevent data corruption. Additionally, demanding recording sessions combined with processor-intensive activity (like high-end gaming) can cause the phone to overheat, triggering an automatic shutdown of the recording process to protect the hardware.

Q: Is it possible to record my screen without the red status bar showing?

A: Yes, but not without post-production editing. The red status bar (or red pill/Dynamic Island indicator) is a mandatory visual cue required by Apple for security and transparency reasons. To remove it for a polished look, you must use the cropping tool in the Photos app’s editor or a third-party video editor. Simply crop the video slightly from the top edge to remove the status bar area entirely, leaving only the clean content below.

Conclusion

The screen recording functionality in iOS, available on all recent iPhone models including the 11, 12, and newer generations, is a robust and essential utility for modern device users. Mastering this feature involves three key steps: first, the one-time setup of adding the Screen Recording control to the Control Center via the Settings app; second, the routine process of swiping to access the control and initiating the three-second countdown; and third, the critical skill of touching and holding the icon to enable or disable Microphone Audio for narration. By understanding the distinction between internal system sound (which is captured by default) and external microphone sound, and by employing simple pre-recording checks like enabling Do Not Disturb, users can consistently produce high-quality, seamless, and professional-grade screen capture videos perfect for tutorials, technical support, or sharing digital content. Proper post-production trimming in the Photos app ensures that the final product is clean and focused, ready for immediate sharing.

Learn how to screen record with sound on your iPhone 11