How to Screen Record on iPhone (With Audio, Free)
To screen record on an iPhone, swipe down to open Control Center, tap the Screen Recording button (a circle inside a ring), and tap it again or the red clock to stop. The video saves to the Photos app. You first need to add the button to Control Center if it isn’t there. Just need a still image? See how to screenshot on iPhone.
Step 1: Add the Screen Recording button (one-time)
- Go to Settings → Control Center.
- Under “More Controls,” tap the + next to Screen Recording.
Step 2: Record
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Recording button — a 3-second countdown begins.
- Record what you need.
- Stop by tapping the red clock in the status bar (then tap Stop), or reopen Control Center and tap the button again.
Recording audio (your voice)
- Open Control Center and long-press the Screen Recording button.
- Tap the Microphone icon at the bottom to turn it On.
- Tap Start Recording.
The microphone is off by default. Long-pressing to enable it is the step most people miss.
System audio vs. microphone
The iPhone recorder captures:
- Microphone audio — your voice (turn it on as above).
- App audio — sound from the app usually records automatically.
It does not capture phone-call audio. To record a call, see how to record a FaceTime call.
Where do recordings go?
They save to the Photos app → Albums → Screen Recordings. From there you can trim, share, or edit them like any video.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No audio in the recording | Enable the Microphone before recording (long-press) |
| Button not in Control Center | Add it in Settings → Control Center |
| Recording stops unexpectedly | You may be out of storage, or the app blocks recording |
| Can’t record a call | iOS blocks call-audio recording except via the built-in call recorder (iOS 18+) |
FAQ
Where do iPhone screen recordings go?
They save to the Photos app → Albums → Screen Recordings. On Android, see how to screen record on Android.
Does the iPhone screen recorder have a time limit?
No hard limit, but longer recordings use storage. The red status-bar indicator shows recording is active.
Can I record screen and microphone audio at once?
Yes — long-press the Screen Recording button, turn on the Microphone, then start.
Why isn’t Screen Recording showing in Control Center?
You haven’t added it yet. Go to Settings → Control Center and add it under “More Controls.”
Can I record the screen without audio?
Yes — just don’t turn on the microphone; the recording will capture video only (or app audio).
How do I trim a screen recording on iPhone?
Open it in Photos → Edit → drag the yellow handles to trim → Done. See how to trim a video on iPhone.
Related guides
How to Convert a PDF to Word (Free, No Watermark)
Convert PDF to Word free, with or without internet, keeping formatting. Three tested methods for Windows, Mac, and Google Drive.
How to Edit a PDF for Free (Text, Images, and Signing)
Edit a PDF free on any device — add or change text, insert images, fill forms, and sign with Google Docs, Sejda, and more. No Adobe needed.
Best Free PDF Editors in 2026 (No Watermark)
The best free PDF editors compared — Sejda, Smallpdf, iLovePDF, Google Docs, and more. No-watermark options for editing and signing.