Tech Reference

How to record your screen on any Samsung phone

samsung galaxy a51 005
Any Samsung phone running Android 11 or newer has easy access to a screen recorder. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
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The iPhone famously has a built-in screen recording feature, making it easy to capture all the action happening on your iPhone's display. 

If you have a Samsung phone, there's no need to be jealous; every Android phone has a screen recorder, too. You can use it to make video recordings of nearly any app — though some apps like Netflix will just give you a black screen — and then share or edit the videos later.

Here's how to enable the screen recorder and use it on your Samsung phone, whether it's a Galaxy, Note, or otherwise. 

How to screen record on any Samsung phone

To take a screen recording, you'll need to enable your Samsung's recording feature.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, and then swipe down again to open the "Quick Settings" screen. If the screen recorder has already been enabled, you'll find it on this page.

2. If it's not there, tap the pencil icon in the bottom-left corner. This will let you customize which icons are on the page. (Note that on some Samsung phones, you may instead have to tap a three-dot icon, and then "Button Order.")

How to screen record on Android 11 1
You'll probably need to add the Screen Record option to your Quick Settings.  Dave Johnson/Insider

3. In the menu that appears, tap and drag the "Screen Record" option to the top of the screen. This way, it'll appear in your Quick Settings.

How to screen record on Android 11 2
Start the screen recorder by tapping "Screen Record."  Dave Johnson/Insider

4. Once the Screen Record option is there, just tap it. You'll be asked if you want to include audio and if you want your taps to be highlighted — once you make your choice and tap "Start," the recording will start.

How to screen record on Android 11 3
If you want to, enable sound and a visual touches before you start recording.  Dave Johnson/Insider

When you're done recording, pull down the notification panel again and tap the "Tap to stop" option.

Where to find your screen recordings on a Samsung phone

Your videos will be saved in whatever the default location for photos and videos is on your phone. Depending on your settings and Samsung model, this can be Google Photos, the Gallery app, or the My Files app.

Through these apps, you can then edit or share the screen recordings like you would any other video. For example, you can trim off the start and end of the clip so viewers don't see you fiddling around in the notifications panel.

How to screen record on Android 11 4
You can drag the start and end points of the video to trim it.  Dave Johnson/Insider

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ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
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EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.