Modern smartphones of the Galaxy series have long ceased to be just a means of communication, turning into powerful multimedia centers. Owners of the model Samsung Galaxy A51 often face the need to capture what is happening on the display: be it passing a difficult level in a game, creating a training tutorial, or fixing bugs in applications. Fortunately, the Korean manufacturer has built an advanced screencasting tool into the One UI shell, which does not require installing third-party software.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to enable and configure screen recording on your device. You'll learn about hidden features that allow you to capture the system's internal audio, not just the microphone, which is critical to creating quality content. In addition, we will discuss the nuances of working with permissions and possible limitations imposed by some applications.
The use of built-in functionality guarantees stable operation and the absence of intrusive advertising, which is often found in free analogues from the Play Market. Optimization The process in the Android system allows you to start shooting literally in one click, without interrupting current tasks. Let's look at the main methods for activating this function.
Activating the function through the quick settings panel
The fastest and most convenient way to start recording is to use the standard notification shade. By default, the icon may be hidden in the secondary menu, so the initial setup will take a couple of minutes. You'll need to unlock your device and swipe down from the top of the screen to open the control panel.
If you don't see the Screen Recording icon (usually looks like a video camera), swipe left or tap the three dots (or the edit button) to get to the full list of available widgets. Find the desired icon in the list of available buttons and drag it to the active area. Now the function will always be at hand.
To start the process, simply tap the added icon. The system may ask for permission to record audio and display it on top of other windows - confirm the action. After a short countdown, image capture will begin. At this moment, a floating control panel will appear on the screen, allowing you to pause or stop the process.
It is important to note that while recording, the status bar LED will light up to alert you that a capture is in progress. Interface One UI is designed to minimize clutter, but when you press the control panel you will be able to see the timer and microphone status. This is a basic method that is suitable for most use cases.
Adjusting audio and video quality settings
Before you start creating content, it is extremely important to set the audio source settings correctly. Unlike older versions of Android, modern Samsung firmware allows you to choose what exactly to record: system sounds, voice through a microphone, or all at the same time. To access these options, press and hold the recording icon in the curtain or go to settings through the menu.
In the window that opens, you will see the “Sound” item. There are three options available here. The first is “No Sound,” when the video is recorded without an audio track. The second is “Microphone”, which records only external sounds (your voice, noise in the room). The third and most useful is “Media Sounds”, which captures the internal audio of the application (music, game sounds, dialogues in videos).
⚠️ Attention: When selecting the “Media Sounds” mode, instant messenger notifications and calls may not be recorded or may interrupt the recording for privacy purposes. The Android system blocks the capture of DRM-protected content in streaming services.
It is also worth paying attention to the resolution and bitrate. Although Samsung A51 offers optimal settings by default, they can be changed for professional tasks. High resolution 1080p provides clarity but fills up memory faster. The standard bitrate of 12 Mbit/s is usually sufficient, but for dynamic games it is better to choose 24 Mbit/s to avoid compression artifacts.
Do not forget that long-term recording in high quality requires significant processor and battery resources. Optimization background processes before starting shooting will help avoid jerks (freezes) in the video. It is recommended to close heavy applications that are not currently in use.
To record voice over gameplay, turn on the “Media Sounds” mode and speak into the microphone at the same time - the system mixes both sources, but the volume of system sounds can be automatically reduced.
Using the side panel and hotkeys
One UI offers alternative launch methods that may be more convenient in certain situations. For example, the “Edge Panel” function allows you to place the recording button in a floating menu, accessible by swiping from the edge of the screen. This is especially convenient when the main control buttons are hidden in the curtain or when you need to quickly start recording in landscape orientation.
To activate the panel, go to Settings → Display → Sidebar and turn it on. In the Applications menu, add a recording tool. Now, by swiping from the edge, you will have access to the screencasting camera. This solution is often used by mobile game streamers, as it does not block the view and is available at any time.
There is also a method using physical buttons, although it is less obvious. The combination Volume down + Power takes a screenshot, but in new versions of One UI, after taking a screenshot, a toolbar appears at the bottom with a record button. By clicking on it, you will immediately switch to video mode. This is useful if you need to quickly capture a static screen and then show the action.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on file |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p (Full HD) | High definition, medium size |
| Bitrate | 12 Mbit/s | Balance of quality and space |
| Sound | Media sounds | Clear sound without room noise |
| Show touches | Off (for games) | Clearer picture, less distractions |
The choice of method depends on your personal preferences and specific task. For short instructions, the side panel is more convenient, and for long sessions, the classic curtain is more convenient. The main thing is that the chosen method does not interfere with interaction with the interface.
Recording video calls and protected content
One of the most common problems of users is the inability to record a video call in WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. When you try to enable screen recording during a video call, you may see a black screen instead of the other person's image. This is not a bug, but a privacy protection mechanism built into Android and reinforced by application security policies.
The system blocks image capture in applications that use secure communication channels. It is almost impossible to bypass this programmatically without root access. However, there is a caveat: audio is sometimes recorded if microphone mode is selected, but the video remains black. This is done to prevent unauthorized surveillance.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to install modified versions of instant messengers to bypass protection may result in your account being blocked by the service administration. Use only official methods.
A similar situation is observed with streaming video from Netflix, Disney+ or banking applications. When you try to record, you will get a black screen. This is standard DRM protection behavior. The only way to capture such moments is to use an external camera pointed at the screen, although the quality will be significantly lower.
For educational purposes or fixing bugs in banking applications (where there is no DRM, but there is protection against screenshots), the “Secure Folder” mode sometimes helps, but even there restrictions often remain. Security user data in Android 10 and higher is set to first place, so such restrictions will most likely remain unchanged.
Why is there a black screen in some games?
Some games, especially those with augmented reality or online casinos, use the FLAG_SECURE flag, which prohibits the creation of screenshots and videos at the system level. This is protection against cheating and data theft.
Editing and saving the finished video
After recording is completed, the file is automatically saved in the gallery in the “ScreenRecorder” or “Screen Recordings” folder. The built-in editor Samsung Gallery allows you to perform basic processing without installing additional apps. Open the video, click on the pencil (edit), and you will have access to tools for cropping, applying filters and changing proportions.
You can trim the beginning and end of the video, removing extra seconds of preparation. There's also an option to change the aspect ratio, which is useful when uploading videos to TikTok or Instagram Reels, which require 9:16 vertical formats. Horizontal 16:9 video is best left for YouTube.
If standard features are not enough, you can use third-party editors such as CapCut or VN Editor. They allow you to add text comments, transitions and music. Files Samsung A51 have good source quality, which gives room for post-processing.
Don't forget to periodically empty the recording folder, as video files take up a lot of space. One minute of recording in high quality can weigh from 50 to 100 MB. Optimization Storage will help avoid memory shortage at a critical moment.
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Problem solving and performance optimization
Despite good optimization, users may encounter problems. Often the recording is interrupted by itself or the video is torn. This may be due to a lack of RAM or overheating of the processor. Samsung A51 equipped with an Exynos processor, which can drop frequencies (throttle) under prolonged load.
To minimize risks, close background applications before starting long-term recording. Make sure you have at least 2-3 GB of free disk space. Also check if the power saving mode is turned on, which limits processor performance and can degrade video encoding quality.
If the sound is recorded with noise or crackling, try turning off “Sound Enhancement” in the speaker settings or, conversely, turning it on if recording through a microphone in a quiet room. Experiment with settings to find the balance for your acoustic environment.
⚠️ Note: The interface and available features may vary slightly depending on your Android operating system version and One UI skin. If you do not find the item, check the official manual or update the software.
If the built-in function does not work correctly, you can always turn to proven alternatives from Google Play, such as AZ Screen Recorder or XRecorder. They offer more flexible bitrate and codec settings, but require more resolutions.
The built-in recorder of the Samsung A51 provides the best compatibility and stability, so the use of third-party applications is justified only if there are specific requirements for codec settings.
Why does screen recording not work on the Samsung A51?
Most often the problem lies in a lack of free memory or an outdated version of the Screen Recording application. Try clearing the cache of this system component via Settings → Applications → Screen Recording → Storage → Clear cache. Also make sure that the latest software update is installed on your phone.
Is it possible to record the screen in hidden mode (Incognito)?
No, browsers and applications block screen recording in hidden mode incognito for security reasons. The Android system marks such windows with a security flag that prohibits screenshots and video capture. There is no way around this using standard means.
Where is the file stored after recording is completed?
The file is saved in the internal memory along the path DCIM/ScreenRecorder or Internal Storage/ScreenRecorder. In the Gallery application, it is usually located in a separate “Screen Recordings” or “ScreenRecorder” album so as not to be mixed with photos.
Is the audio of a regular telephone conversation recorded?
No, standard screen recording on Android cannot capture the audio of a telephone conversation due to restrictions in Google's Privacy Policy and the laws of many countries. To record calls, you need special applications with special access rights or a voice recorder turned on on speakerphone.