How to record the screen on Android

There are many times, for a variety of reasons, that you may want to record what you see on your Android phone. You may be watching a video, you may have a GIF you want to share, a section of your Twitter feed that is particularly fascinating, or you may want to share a scrolling website. Thankfully, the Android phone makes it easy, and there are more advanced options if you need more features. Here's how you can do it. 

First, keep in mind that different phones and operating systems have different ways to record your screen. For example, if you have an Android 10:

• Swipe down twice on notifications in order to access the Quick Settings.
• From there, select the Screen Recording option. You can start recording by hitting the start button; there will be a quick countdown, and the file will begin recording. When you're done, you hit Stop.

On an Android 11, the procedures are different. First, you have to add the ability to record your screen to the phone's Quick Settings. 

• Just like before, swipe down twice in order to get your Quick Settings. 
• Click the edit icon (it's the pencil), then drag Screen Recordings into Quick Settings.
• From there, you can click on Screen Recordings and follow the instructions.

Once you make a recording, the recording will be available with the other photographs and videos on your phone. You can select that file and make basic edits, as well as share whatever you have recorded.

Like many other functions on the Android phone, this one can be altered or improved by apps. A variety of apps are available that will allow for screen recording to be conducted. These include AZ Screen Recorder, ADV Screen Recorder, and Super Screen Recorder, but there are many others that give you the same ability. Each app has a variety of different functions, including enhanced editing features, the ability to add graphics, and easier methods to compress and share files. Keep in mind: Some apps are paid only or have a freemium version that will make you deal with ads or add a watermark to any video that you share. Paying for an app may unlock more features, remove ads, or remove watermarks.

In most cases, the in-phone capabilities of an Android will be more than enough to satisfy any user. However, if you find yourself using these features more often, you may want to investigate paying or a professional program.