How to screen record on a PC, laptop and phone (without installing anything)

Recording your screen is useful for showing an error to support, making a tutorial or saving a meeting (with the participants’ permission). All three systems can do it on their own.

In this article

1. On Windows 11: Snipping Tool
2. On Windows 11: Xbox Game Bar
3. On Android
4. On iPhone
5. The recording has no sound
6. FAQ

On Windows 11: Snipping Tool

This is the best option for recording any part of the screen, including the desktop.

1. Press Windows + Shift + R (or open the Snipping Tool and choose the video camera icon).
2. Drag to select the area you want to record.
3. Click Start. To record with sound, turn on system audio and/or the microphone in the toolbar that appears.
4. Click Stop and then Save. Videos are saved in the Videos › Screen Recordings folder.

On Windows 11: Xbox Game Bar

It records the window of a program or game (it doesn’t record the desktop or File Explorer).

1. With the program open, press Windows + Alt + R to start and stop recording.
2. Or press Windows + G to open the bar and use the record button.

Videos are saved in the folder shown under Settings › Gaming › Captures:

On Android

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap Screen record (or Screen recorder). If it isn’t there, tap the pencil to edit and drag the button into the list.
3. Choose whether to record with no sound, with the phone’s sound (media) or with the microphone, and tap Start.

The video goes to your gallery, usually in a Screen recordings album.

On iPhone

1. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner).
2. Tap the Screen Recording button (a circle inside another circle). If it isn’t there, add it by editing Control Center.
3. To record with the microphone, touch and hold the button and turn on the microphone.
4. To stop, tap the bar or the red indicator at the top of the screen.

The video is saved in the Photos app.

The recording has no sound

• Windows: in the Snipping Tool, check that system audio was turned on. In Xbox Game Bar, check Capture audio when recording a game (screen above). If your PC has no sound at all, see no sound in Windows 11.
• Phone: calling apps and some streaming apps block audio (or video) recording to protect copyright or privacy.

FAQ

The recording shows a black screen.

Movies from streaming services and some banking apps block recording on purpose. There’s no way around it.

Can I record a Teams meeting?

Teams has its own recording feature (depending on the license), which notifies all participants. Only record with the permission of everyone in the meeting.