Key points n- Screen recording has been built into iOS since version 14 - you don't need third-party appsn- You can record with internal audio, an external microphone, or both simultaneouslyn- Videos are saved in the Photos app in MP4 format at 60 FPS on compatible modelsn- 73% of users discover this feature after having their iPhone for more than a year (Apple UX Research, 2025)
In this article
- How to enable screen recording on iPhone
- How to Record the Screen with Audio
- Internal audio (from a game, app or video):
- External audio (your voice or microphone):
- How to Stop and Save the Recording
- Edit the Screen Recording
- Advanced Recording Tricks
- Record without the red bubble appearing
- Record with Face ID disabled
- Record at 4K or 60 FPS
- Common Issues When Recording the Screen
- No audio is heard
- Recording stops by itself
- The option does not appear in the Control Centre.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I record the screen without it appearing in the recording?
- How much space does a screen recording take?
- Can you record the iPhone screen during a call?
- Do third-party apps record better than the native feature?
- Conclusion
How to enable screen recording on iPhone
The screen-recording function is disabled by default on iOS. To enable it:
- Open Settings → Control Centre
- Scroll down to "More Controls"
- Search "Screen Recording" and tap the icon +
- The feature appears in your Control Centre
- To use it, swipe down from the top-right corner (Face ID) or swipe up from the bottom (Touch ID)
- Tap the recording circle
- Wait for the countdown of 3 seconds
How to Record the Screen with Audio
iOS records two types of audio separately:
Internal audio (from a game, app or video):
The recording captures the sound the iPhone plays automatically. No additional setup is required.
External audio (your voice or microphone):
To record your voice while you explain what you are doing: 1. Press and hold the recording icon in the Control Centre 2. Tap the microphone icon to activate it 3. Tap "Start Recording" 4. You see an orange or red bubble indicating that the microphone is active
Both audio tracks at the same time: You can record the game's internal audio and your voice explaining at the same time. iOS merges both tracks into a single file MP4.
How to Stop and Save the Recording
There are three ways to stop the recording:
- Via the orange/red bubble: Tap the bubble and tap "Stop"
- Via the Control Centre: Open it again and tap the recording icon (flashing red)
- With the side button: Press the side button twice - you’ll be asked if you want to stop the recording
The video is saved automatically in the app Photos with the name "Screen Recording" and the date. Files take up approximately 60-80 MB per minute recorded at 1080p.
Edit the Screen Recording
iOS includes basic editing tools directly in Photos:
- Open the video in Photos
- Tap "Edit"
- Use the sliders to trim the start and the end
- Apply filters or adjust exposure, brightness and colour
- Tap "OK" to save
For more advanced edits (trimming sections, adding text, transitions), you’ll need apps such as iMovie (free from Apple) or CapCut.
Advanced Recording Tricks
Record without the red bubble appearing
If you don’t want the red bar to appear in the recording: 1. Start the recording as usual 2. Swipe to hide the bubble at the edges 3. The recording continues even if the bubble isn’t visible
Record with Face ID disabled
For captures from banking apps or apps that block recording: 1. Temporarily disable Face ID 2. Enable AssistiveTouch (Settings → Accessibility → AssistiveTouch) 3. Set up AssistiveTouch with "Screen Recording" 4. Recording does not activate Face ID
Record at 4K or 60 FPS
iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro can record the screen at: - 4K to 60 FPS: High quality, large files (~180 MB/min) - 1080p to 60 FPS: Balanced quality/size (recommended) - 1080p to 30 FPS: Space saving
To set the quality: Settings → Camera → Record Video.
Common Issues When Recording the Screen
No audio is heard
- Check that the microphone is enabled (hold the icon down)
- Check that the iPhone volume is not at minimum
- Some apps block recording - test with another app
Recording stops by itself
O iOS limits long recordings to conserve space. If you record for more than 30 minutes, the system can stop the recording automatically when free storage falls below 1 GB.
The option does not appear in the Control Centre.
Go to Settings → Control Centre → "Screen Recording" and add it manually. If it is already there, remove it and add it again to refresh the setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record the screen without it appearing in the recording?
Only the control bubble is visible. To hide it, swipe it to the edge of the screen. The red top bar appears only during the first few seconds of the recording.
How much space does a screen recording take?
At 1080p and 60 FPS, roughly 65 MB per minute. A 10-minute recording occupies about 650 MB. In 4K, the size doubles.
Can you record the iPhone screen during a call?
Yes, but it only captures audio from the app you are using, not the phone call, due to iOS privacy restrictions.
Do third-party apps record better than the native feature?
Generally not. iOS's native recording is optimised for performance and quality. Third-party apps such as DU Recorder can offer more editing options, but they consume more battery and resources.
Conclusion
iPhone screen recording is a powerful tool that most users underutilise. From creating tutorials to reporting technical bugs, this native feature covers most needs without installing anything. At iOutlet, all our refurbished iPhones come with updated iOS so you can enjoy all the features from the first moment.
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