Recording a smartphone screen with sound is a task faced by gamers, streamers, creators of educational videos and simply users who want to save an important moment. On Android this function is implemented differently depending on the OS version, device manufacturer and even model. In some places it is available out of the box, but in others it requires the installation of third-party applications or even root access.

The main difficulty lies in synchronizing video and sound: many standard tools record only the image, ignoring the microphone or system sounds. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from built-in functions to professional applications - and also tell you how to bypass restrictions on recording protected content (for example, from Netflix or banking applications).

1. Built-in Screen Recording: Supported Devices and Limitations

Starting Android 10Google has added a basic screen recording feature to the system, but its implementation varies by manufacturer. For example, on “pure” Android (pixels) it is hidden in the quick settings menu, but on Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlus it may have advanced options - including recording sound from a microphone.

To check the presence of the function:

  • 📱 Swipe down the notification panel and find icon "Screen recording" (if it is not there, tap on "Edit" and add it manually).
  • 🔊 On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+), when you start recording, a window will appear with a choice of sound source: No sound, Microphone or Device sound.
  • ⚙️ On Xiaomi and Redmi the function can be called Screen Recorder and require inclusion in Settings → Advanced → Screen recording.

Important: even if the function is available, it will not be able to record sound from some applications (for example YouTube Music or Spotify) due to DRM protection. In such cases, only third-party software will help with bypassing restrictions (more about it below).

📊 What brand of smartphone do you use?
Samsung
Xiaomi/Redmi
Google Pixel
OnePlus
Other

2. Record screen with sound via Quick Settings (Android 11 and later)

If your device runs on Android 11+, try this method - it does not require installing applications. Instructions:

  1. Open the notification panel and find the icon "Screen recording" (if it is not there, click "Edit" and add it from the list).
  2. Tap on the icon. A window with recording settings will appear:
    • 🎤 Microphone — recording your voice.
    • 🔈 Device sound —system sounds (does not work on all models).
    • ❌ No sound —video only.
  • Select the desired sound source and press Start recording.
  • After 3 seconds, recording will begin. To stop it, swipe the notification panel again and tap on the recording notification.

    • The finished video will be saved in the gallery in the folder Movies/ScreenRecordings or DCIM/Screenshots (depending on the firmware).

    Enable Do Not Disturb mode

    Close unnecessary applications

    Check free space (1 minute Full HD = ~100 MB)

    Disable notifications (so they don't end up in the video)

    -->

    ⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei i Honor s EMUI 12+ system audio recording may be blocked due to security policy. In this case, use third-party applications.

    3. Best Screen Recording Apps with Audio

    If the built-in feature is not suitable (no sound, low quality, DRM restrictions), install one of these apps. We tested them on Android 13 and Android 14:

    Application Sound recording Resolution Features Advertising
    AZ Screen Recorder Microphone + device sound Up to 4K@60fps Video editor, streaming Yes (can be removed in Pro)
    Mobizen Microphone only Full HD@30fps Lightweight, no root access Yes
    DU Recorder Microphone + sound (on some devices) Up to 2K@60fps Built-in editor, live broadcasts A lot
    XRecorder Microphone + sound (requires setup) Full HD@60fps No watermark, gamepad support Minimal

    Recommendation: for recording gameplay with internal sound it is best suitable AZ Screen Recorder (in settings select Audio Source → Internal Audio). On Samsung i Xiaomi it works more stable than others.

    💡

    If the application does not record system sound, try enabling the "Capture audio via ADB" option in its settings (connection to a PC is required).

    4. Screen recording with internal sound without root access (ADB method)

    Some applications (for example, AZ Screen Recorder) support recording internal audio via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This is a legal bypass of restrictions that does not require root access. Instructions:

    1. Install ADB tools on PC.
    2. Connect your phone via USB and turn on USB Debugging v Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For Developers).
    3. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and enter: 
      adb shell settings put global capture_audio_output 1
    4. Restart your phone.
    5. Run AZ Screen Recorder, select your audio source Internal Audio and start recording.

      6. After recording, return the setting to its original state with the command: 

      adb shell settings put global capture_audio_output 0

      ⚠️ Attention: This method may not work on devices with MIUI 13+ i One UI 5+ due to additional manufacturer restrictions. It is also reset after updating the OS.

      5. Screen recording on older versions of Android (up to 10)

      There is no built-in screen recording function, so you will have to use third-party applications. The best options: Android 9 and below There is no built-in screen recording function, so you will have to use third-party applications. Best options:

      • 📱 ScreenCam - supports recording from a microphone, but without an internal one. sound.
      • 🎮 Game Screen Recorder —optimized for games, but works with other applications.
      • 🔧 Rec. (Screen Recorder) —minimalistic interface, no watermark.

    On these versions of Android you can also use Google Play Games (if installed):

    1. Open the application Google Play Games.
    2. Find the game or application you want to record.
    3. Tap on the camera icon in the upper right corner and select Record game process.

    Disadvantage of the method: recording is limited to 3 minutes and only works with supported applications.

    Why is there no built-in screen recording on Android 9?

    Before Android 10, Google did not include this function in the OS kernel, leaving its implementation at the discretion of manufacturers. Many brands (for example, Samsung) added it. it into their shells, but there was no universal solution. With the release of Android 10, the situation changed thanks to the addition of an API for recording the screen.

    6. How to record the screen with sound from applications with DRM (Netflix, Spotify, games)

    Applications with protection DRM (for example, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify) block screen recording at the system level. You can get around this in two ways:

    1. Use an external microphone:
      • Connect headphones with a microphone or an external microphone via USB-C/OTG.
      • Enable screen recording with an audio source Microphone.
      • Manually synchronize the sound with the video in the editor (for example, CapCut or KineMaster).
  • Record via mirroring to PC:
    • Connect the phone to the PC via USB or Wi-Fi (via Scrcpy or Vysor).
    • Start screen recording on your PC using OBS Studio or Bandicam.
    • Set up system audio capture via Stereo Mix (Windows) or BlackHole (Mac).

    For mirroring we recommend Scrcpy - free open source software that works without root access. Command to start with sound recording: 

    scrcpy --record file.mp4 --bit-rate 8M --audio=mic

    ⚠️ Attention: Recording and distribution of protected content (movies, music) may violate the terms of use of services. This method is intended for personal use (for example, saving gameplay or stream).

    7. Solving problems: no sound, lags, low quality

    If screen recording does not work correctly, check these points:

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    No sound Audio source not selected Check the recording application settings (microphone/internal audio)
    Video lags High resolution or FPS Reduce quality to 720p@30fps in the recording settings
    Black screen DRM protection or manufacturer restrictions Use mirroring to a PC or an external microphone
    Recording is interrupted Low memory or overheating Close background applications and cool down the device

    If the problem persists, try:

    • 🔄 Restart the device.
    • 📱 Update the recording application or firmware phone.
    • 🛠️ Reset application settings (in Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Storage → Reset).
    💡

    On devices with a processor MediaTek (especially in budget models) screen recording may work unstable due to poor driver optimization. In this case, only mirroring on a PC will help.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about screen recording on Android

    Is it possible to record the screen with internal sound without root access?

    Yes, but with reservations This is possible on most devices. via ADB command (described above) or special applications like AZ Screen Recorder (requires configuration). On Samsung i OnePlus the built-in function sometimes supports recording system sound without additional manipulations.

    Why does screen recording stop after 3-5 minutes?

    This limitation may be due to:

    • Overheating of the device (especially when recording to 4K).
    • Lack of memory (check free place).
    • Manufacturer restrictions (for example, Huawei recording automatically stops to save battery).

    Solution: reduce the recording resolution or use a cooling pad.

    How to record the screen with sound from the game?

    To record gameplay:

    1. Use AZ Screen Recorder with Internal Audio enabled (requires ADB command on some devices).
    2. On Samsung use built-in function Game Launcher (there is an option to record with sound).
    3. For maximum quality, connect your phone to a PC and record via OBS Studio with HDMI audio capture (capture card required).
    Where are screen recordings saved?

    By default, videos are saved in:

    • /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ScreenRecordings (standard Android).
    • /DCIM/Screenshots or /Pictures/Screenshots (on some firmware).
    • Inside the application folder (for example, /Android/data/com.hecorat.screenrecorder.free/files for AZ Screen Recorder).

    If you don't find the video, check the settings of the recording application - you can change the saving path there.

    Is it possible to record video calls (WhatsApp, Zoom, Telegram)? summary>

    Technically yes, but:

    • 📞 WhatsApp and Telegram notify the interlocutor about screen recording (an icon appears in the status bar).
    • 🚫 Zoom and Google Meet can block recording due to corporate policies.
    • 🎤 The interlocutor’s audio will be recorded only if select source Microphone (internal audio is blocked).

    The legality of recording conversations is governed by the laws of your country (in some regions the consent of the interlocutor is required).