How to Screen Record with Sound Easily (PC & Mobile)

Are you looking for an inexpensive and convenient solution for recording the screen of your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet? Built-in screen recorders are becoming a standard feature on most devices and operating systems. They provide convenience and add versatility to how you can use your computer or mobile device. 

In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to walk you through how to screen record on any device.

How To Screen Record On A Desktop/Laptop Device

Most desktop and laptop devices come with built-in solutions for screen recording. Windows and Mac systems both have options for recording your screen without having to download additional software or browser extensions. These native screen recorders are convenient, but aren’t always reliable and don’t produce the best quality. 

‍We’ll explain how to record your screen on Mac and Windows systems below. Later in the article, we’ll provide details on screen recording software that will produce better quality recordings.  

Start with this video and then read on for everything you need to know on screen recording on any device.

How To Screen Record On Mac

You can rely on a couple of built-in options for screen recording if you have a Mac running macOS Mojave or higher. Macs operating on newer versions of macOS have a feature that permits screen recording using keyboard shortcuts. You can also capture your screen using QuickTime, which comes standard on all Macs. Below, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for both recording methods. 

Follow these steps to start recording your Mac screen with a few taps on your keyboard:

Step 1: Hold down Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. 

Step 2: Choose if you’d like to capture your entire screen, a portion of the screen, or a window that’s open on your screen. 

Step 3: When you’re finished recording, click Stop. 

Step 4: Click on the thumbnail that appears in the lower right corner of your screen. Choose where you want to save your screen recording. 

Use these steps to record your Mac screen with QuickTime: 

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player. 

Step 2: Click File and then choose New Screen Recording. 

Step 3: Click on the Record button to begin.

Step 4: Click Record again to stop recording when you’re finished. 

Step 5: Click File and then Save to choose where your recording is stored. 

How To Screen Record On Windows

Windows systems don’t have built-in screen recording functionality like Macs. However, you can use some programs included with Windows PCs to record your screen effectively. PowerPoint and Xbox Game Bar can both capture the screen of your PC. 

To record your screen with PowerPoint, follow these steps: 

Step 1: Open PowerPoint on your PC. 

Step 2: Select Blank Presentation.

Step 3: Click on the Insert tab and choose Screen Recording on the far right.

Step 4: Your screen will gray out. Select the area of your screen you want to capture for a partial screen recording. If you want to record your full screen, hold the Windows Key + Shift + F.  

Step 5: Click the Record button. A three-second countdown will appear before your screen starts being recorded.  

Step 6: The recording options will disappear from your screen while recording. Hover your mouse over the top of your screen to get them to appear again. Click Stop to end your recording. 

Step 7: Your recording will appear as a thumbnail in PowerPoint. Right-click the thumbnail and choose Save Media As to save your recording as a video file. ‍

To use the Xbox app on your PC for screen recording, take the following steps: 

Step 1: The Xbox app can only be used to record one window on your screen at a time. Before you open the app, select the window on your PC screen you want to record. 

Step 2: Open Xbox Game Bar from the Start Menu or hold down the Windows Key + G on your keyboard. 

Step 3: Click the Record button in the upper left corner of the screen. 

Step 4: Click the Stop button when you’re finished recording. 

Step 5: Your recording will be saved to the Videos folder on your PC. To access your recordings, select Show All Captures and then click the folder icon to open File Explorer and manage your recordings.

How To Screen Record On Chromebook

Chromebooks have a built-in recording feature that makes capturing your screen simple. You can use the recorder to either take a screenshot or record a video of what’s on your screen. Once you’re finished recording, you’ll have the options to view, edit, and share what you’ve recorded. 

Take the following steps to record your Chromebook screen: 

Step 1: Hold down Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows.

Step 2: From the menu at the bottom, choose Screen Record.

Step 3: Select whether you want to record your full screen, a selected portion of your screen, or a window you have open. 

Step 4: Click Stop Recording when you’re finished. 

Step 5: Locate your recording in your Videos Folder to view, edit, and share. 

How To Screen Record On A Mobile Device

Recording the screen of your mobile device is simple because most mobile devices now have native recording capabilities. We wouldn’t recommend you record a podcast or professional interview using the built-in recorder on your phone because the quality isn’t the best. However, having the option is convenient. Keep reading to learn how to screen record on iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and Android devices. 

How To Screen Record On iPhone

If you’ve downloaded iOS 14 or a later version of iOS, you can record audio and video directly from your iPhone screen. Be aware that you can’t use the iPhone’s screen recording feature at the same time you’re using the screen mirroring feature. Also, some apps might not allow you to record with audio. For the best possible quality without recording limitations, we recommend using video recording software that has an iOS app.   

How To Screen Record On iPhone 11 and iPhone 12

Newer models of the iPhone have the capability to screen record without downloading a third-party app. Follow this step-by-step guide to record what’s on your iPhone’s screen: 

Step 1: Go to Settings and select Control Center. Tap the + icon next to Screen Recording.

Step 2: Return to your iPhone’s home screen and open the Control Center by swiping down in the upper right corner of your screen. 

Step 3: Hold down the gray Record button.

Step 4: Tap the Microphone button to enable your mic and select where you want to save your recording from the scrolling menu. You can save a recording in the Photos App or other apps you’ve downloaded that support video. 

Step 5: Tap Start Recording and a three-second countdown will appear. 

Step 6: Stop recording by tapping the red status bar at the top of the screen and selecting Stop. You can also stop recording by opening the Control Center and tapping the red Record button. 

How To Screen Record On Android Devices 

Most versions of Android have built-in recording features for mobile devices. However, it’s a bit trickier to access the screen recording features on versions of Android older than Android 11. 

‍How to Screen Record on Android 11:

Step 1: Go to Quick Setting and tap Screen Recorder.

Step 2: Select the audio and video settings for your recording and tap Done. 

Step 3: The first time you record you’ll have to grant permission for the app to access your device. 

Step 4: Tap Start Recording. 

Step 5: Press the Stop button to end your recording. 

Step 6: Access your recording in the Gallery or Photos App. 

How to Screen Record With Older Versions of Android:  

Step 1: Enable your device’s Developer Mode. Go to Settings, then About Phone, then tap Build Number seven times. You’ll receive a notification that you’re now a developer.  

Step 2: Go back to Settings and choose Advanced, then Developer Options, and finally Feature Flags. 

Step 3: Toggle settings_screenrecord_long_press to On. 

Step 4: Press and hold the Screenshot Button.

Step 5: In the popup menu, select Start Recording. A new popup will display. 

Step 6: Tap Start Now.

Step 7: Tap Stop when you’re ready to end your recording.

Step 8: Access your screen recording in your Default Photo Gallery. 

How To Screen Record On A Tablet 

Tablets combine the portability of a phone with larger screens you’d usually see on a laptop. This makes them a great device to watch and record video. Let’s go over how to record your screen on an iPad and other types of tablets. 

How To Screen Record On iPad

You follow the same process to complete a screen capture on an iPad as you would for an iPhone. Since iPhones and iPads use the same operating system, you can record your screen using an iPad as long as you have iOS 14 or a later version of the software. 

Use the steps below to record the screen of an iPad: 

Step 1: Go to Settings and select Control Center. Tap the + icon next to Screen Recording.

Step 2: Return to your iPhone’s home screen and open the Control Center by swiping down in the upper right corner of your screen. 

Step 3: Hold down the gray Record button.

Step 4: Tap the Microphone button to enable your mic and select where you want to save your recording from the scrolling menu.

Step 5: Tap Start Recording and a three-second countdown will appear. 

Step 6: Stop recording by tapping the red status bar at the top of the screen and selecting Stop. You can also stop recording by opening the Control Center and tapping the red Record button.

How to Record Your Screen on Galaxy Tab A 10.1 

The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 is a popular Android tablet with a built-in recorder that’s easy to use for capturing HD content from your screen. Screen recording is a major feature this tablet offers that older versions of the Galaxy Tab don’t have. 

Follow the below steps to start recording from your Galaxy Tab’s screen: 

Step 1: From the top of your tablet’s screen, swipe down to open the Notification Panel.

Step 2: In the Quick Toggle Options, press and hold the Screen Recorder toggle. 

Step 3: Select the recording quality (480p, 720p, or 1090p) from the Screen Recording Settings menu that pops up. 

Step 4: Choose where you want to use a Microphone, Media Sound (sound from your tablet), or No Sound for audio recording. 

Step 5: After choosing your settings, go to the Notification Bar and click the Screen Recorder toggle. 

Step 6: Choose your sound source and click Start Recording. 

Step 7: Click the Stop button when you’re finished recording. 

Step 8: Your recording will be saved in the Gallery App in the Screen Recordings Folder.

How to Record Your Screen on Lenovo Yoga Tablet 

The Lenovo Yoga is another Android tablet with easy-to-use native screen recording capabilities. Make sure you update your Yoga tablet’s OS to the most up-to-date version before trying to record your screen. You won’t be able to screen record with older Android software versions. 

Use these steps to begin recording your Lenovo Tablet’s screen: 

Step 1: Open your Quick Access Panel and add the Screen Recording icon to it by clicking the edit button in the upper right corner. 

Step 2: Locate the Screen Recording icon from the options. Press and hold the icon and drag it to the top of the screen. Release it to add it to the Quick Access Panel. 

Step 3: From the Quick Access Panel, tap the Screen Recorder icon you just added. 

Step 4: Choose the recording settings for your audio and video. 

Step 5: Tap Start to begin recording. 

Step 6: When you’re finished recording, tap Stop in the upper left corner of the screen. 

Record Your Screen Using Recording Software 

We recommend using screen recording software if you want to capture your screen to record a webinar, video interviews, or other content. While the built-in screen recorders included on most devices are convenient, they don’t deliver the quality and performance recording software does. Screen recording software not only lets you capture what’s on your screen, but also provides editing and social sharing options. 

Some of the benefits of using screen recording software include: 

• Improved audio and video quality
• More reliability 
• Separate audio and video recording 
• Easier video sharing on social platforms 
  

Some of the best features to look for in a screen recording program include: 

• Localized recording capabilities 
• Online publishing and sharing features 
• All-in-one recording and editing 
• Automated editing features 

Best Screen Recording Software for a Desktop/Laptop 

Riverside.fm offers a powerful screen recording program that captures video in 4K quality. It's one of the easiest ways to record professional audio and video from your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. Major brands and content creators use Riverside.fm because it provides fast and secure recordings and has advanced features that streamline the recording and editing process. 

Some features that make Riverside.fm our choice for best desktop/laptop screen recording program: 

• Localized, double-ender recording for professional-level quality
• Automated editing features via the Magic Editor Tool 
• Chrome browser recording that’s compatible with any operating system 
• Automated transcription services 
• Screen sharing and split-screen capabilities

Start recording with Riverside

Easily record high-quality podcasts & videos remotely

Get Started

Bonus: How to Record Video with Screen Share

You've learned how to screen record, but what if you want to record a video and a screen share at the same time? Your best option here is to use screen and video-capturing software. If you're using Riverside, you can follow these steps to record video with a screen share:

Step 1: Login into Riverside and choose an existing studio or press ‘+ New Studio’ to create one. 

If you’ve created a studio, select your studio type as ‘Video & Audio”

Step 2: Invite guests to your recording if you’d like. If you’ve created a new studio select ‘Continue set up studio’ to do this, or if you’re using an existing studio go to studio settings. 

Step 3:  When you are ready, select ‘Go to Studio’. You’ll enter the lobby where you can test out your equipment. Select ‘Join Studio’ when you are done.

Step 4: In your studio, select the ‘Share’ button to share your screen. You can screen share a window, a browser tab or your whole entire screen. 

Step 5:  Once you’ve chosen and shared your screen, you can press the record button to start recording. 

Riverside will record your screen share, video webcam and audio simultaneously. 

‍Step 6: Stop the recording and wait for all files to finish downloading before accessing your separate audio, video and screenshare tracks from the dashboard.

Record Your Screen on Any Device 

Most devices have built-in screen recording features that are easy to use once you set them up and become familiar with your device’s interface. You can use the native recorders on your laptop, phone, or tablet to record your screen, but we recommend using recording software or recording apps instead. The built-in recording features included on desktop and mobile devices are convenient but don’t always provide the same quality you get with screen recording software.