DeviceHowTo
iPhone (iOS)⏱ 2 min

How to Record Your Screen on iPhone (iOS)

Start a native screen recording without installing third-party software.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

iPhone's built-in Screen Recording feature lives in Control Center and must be added manually via Settings > Control Center before first use. Once added, a single tap starts a three-second countdown before captue begins, and a red status bar appears at the top of the screen as a visible indicator while recording. iOS records system audio by default; tapping and holding the record button reveals a microphone toggle for capturing your voice alongside the screen activity.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Go to Settings > Control Center > add Screen Recording. Open Control Center and tap the Record circle. A 3-second countdown begins.
  2. 2Choose microphone audio on or off before starting. Avoid recording sensitive content.
  3. 3Stop recording from the floating toolbar, notification bar, or menu bar icon. The file saves to Videos or Downloads.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iPhone (iOS) have a built-in screen recorder?
Yes. Add Screen Recording to Control Center under Settings > Control Center, then tap the record button to begin a 3-second countdown.
Where do screen recordings save on iPhone (iOS)?
Recordings save to the Photos app under Recents, the same as screenshots.
Why does my iPhone (iOS) screen recording have no audio?
Make sure you enable microphone access before starting the recording — most recorders default to no audio. For internal system audio on Windows, use Xbox Game Bar; on macOS, system audio capture requires a virtual audio driver (like BlackHole) since Apple restricts it natively.
Can I record streaming video on iPhone (iOS)?
Streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video use DRM (Digital Rights Management) that actively blocks screen recording at the OS level. Any recording attempt will produce a black screen. This is by design and cannot be bypassed.

Same task, different device

Windows 11Windows 10macOSiPad (iPadOS)Samsung GalaxyGoogle PixelChromebook

Related guides for iPhone (iOS)

Take a Screenshot

Capture your full screen or a selected region using built-in shortcuts.

Take a Partial Screenshot

Capture only the area you need instead of the full screen.

Clear Cache

Remove cached data to fix loading errors and reclaim disk space.

Uninstall Apps

Remove apps you no longer use to free up storage and improve performance.