Modern smartphones Huawei offer many opportunities for creating content right out of the box, and recording what is happening on the display has become a standard feature. Users are often faced with the need to record gameplay, demonstrate how an application works, or save an important video call. However, to get a high-quality result, it is not enough to just press a button - you need to correctly configure the capture of the audio source.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the nuances associated with screencasting on brand devices. You'll learn the difference between recording system audio and voice through a microphone, learn how to change resolution and frame rate, and understand why the built-in utility may not be suitable in some cases. This guide is relevant for shells EMUI and HarmonyOS.
Sometimes standard tools can have limitations, especially if you are trying to record protected content from streaming services or banking applications. In such situations, the screen may turn black and there may be no sound. We will consider these cases too, offering alternative solutions to achieve your goal.
Built-in screen recording function on Huawei
From versions EMUI 9.0 and later, the company has introduced a native tool for capturing images from the display. This is the most stable method, which does not require installing unnecessary software and obtaining root access. The function is optimized for the device’s hardware, which minimizes the load on the processor and battery during a long session.
To activate recording, the easiest way is to use the control panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Notification panel, and find the video camera icon. If it is not in the first row, click on the edit icon (pencil) and drag the “Screen Recording” button to the active area. You can also use the gesture: swipe your knuckle (knuckle) twice across the screen if this option is enabled in the settings.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions or on specific models in the budget segment, the record button may not be available in the standard firmware. In this case, you will need to install third-party software.
After launching the utility, a floating control panel will appear on the screen. Here you can pause the process or terminate it. It is important to note that when you start recording, the system automatically requests permission to access media files. Without confirming this item, you will not be able to save the final video to the gallery.
For quick access to the recording, add the “Screen Recording” widget to the main desktop through the widget menu - this will save time if you use the function frequently.
Setting up audio sources: Microphone or System
The most critical point when creating a screencast is this is the correct choice of audio track. Users often wonder why only their voice is heard in the recording or, conversely, only music from the game. In the sound settings menu, which appears immediately after starting recording (or when you click on the microphone icon on the floating panel), there are three main operating modes.
The first mode is Microphone. In this case, the phone only records external sounds: your voice, keyboard noise, or your surroundings. Sounds produced by the smartphone itself (notifications, music in the game) will not be included in the recording. This option is ideal for creating video lessons with voice comments.
Second mode - System Sound. This captures the audio stream generated by the operating system and applications. You will hear the clear sound of the game or video, but your voice will not be recorded. This is the best choice for gameplay or demonstrating the interface without unnecessary noise.
- 🎤 Microphone mode is suitable for vlogs and training videos with commentary.
- 🔊 System Sound mode is necessary for clear recording of gameplay or music.
- 🔇 The “Off” mode turns off all audio, which is useful when recording sensitive data.
It is worth considering a technical limitation of Android: simultaneous recording of system audio and voice through a microphone is often impossible at the driver level without the use of complex third-party solutions. Usually you have to choose one thing. If it is critical for you to have both sources, you will have to overlay the voice over the video already at the editing stage on the PC.
Adjusting video quality and encoding parameters
The quality of the final file directly depends on the selected parameters in the application settings. By default, the system may suggest average values to save space, but for YouTube or professional presentations this may not be enough. You can find these settings in the menu Settings → Accessibility → Screen recording or directly in the interface of the utility itself through the gear.
The main parameter is resolution. For modern displays Huawei with high-resolution matrices, it is recommended to select 1080p (Full HD). Setting it to 720p will make the file lighter, but it will look blurry on larger screens. Conversely, choosing 2K or 4K can create an excessive load on the processor, causing freezes and a drop in FPS during recording.
The second important parameter is Frame rate (FPS). The standard value is 30 frames per second, which provides smoothness for most interfaces. However, for dynamic shooters or racing games, it is better to set 60 FPS if your device supports this screen refresh rate. This will make the movement of objects as smooth and natural as possible.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on file | Impact on performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p (1920x1080) | Medium size | Moderate load |
| Bitrate | 6-12 Mbit/s | High quality | High memory load |
| Frame rate | 30 or 60 FPS | Smooth movement | 60 FPS doubles the load |
| Codec | H.264 or H.265 | H.265 saves space | H.265 requires a powerful decoder |
Pay attention to the bitrate parameter. The higher this value, the better the detail of the picture, especially in dynamic scenes, but the greater the weight of the finished video file. For short videos up to 5 minutes, you can safely set the maximum values, and for hour-long streams it is better to find a balance.
Using third-party applications for advanced functions
If the built-in functionality is not enough, for example, you need to record from the front camera on top of the screen (picture in picture) or more flexible settings for the audio mixer, you should pay attention to third-party software. Stores AppGallery and Google Play offer dozens of solutions, but not all of them work stably on the shell. HarmonyOS.
One of the popular solutions is the application XRecorder or AZ Screen Recorder. They allow you to adjust the bitrate down to one, select a specific codec, and even draw on the screen in real time while recording. However, such apps often contain advertising in the free version and require permissions to access data.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party recorders may conflict with Huawei system battery optimizers. Be sure to add such an application to the “Protected” list in the battery settings so that the system does not kill the recording process in the background.
When using third-party software, it is important to check for watermarks. Many developers put their logo in the corner of the video in the free version. To remove it, you usually need to watch an ad or purchase a Premium subscription. The built-in tool Huawei does not have this drawback and does not put any marks on the video.
Why can third-party applications slow down?
Third-party applications work in user space and do not have the same deep access to system video buffers as the built-in utility. This creates additional load on the CPU when copying frames from memory to the recorder application and back to the file.
Specifics of recording in games and protected content
Gamers often encounter a situation where, when starting recording, the sound in the headphones disappears or becomes quieter. This is because the audio channel is switched to capture mode. On phones Huawei with technology Game Turbo (or AppAssistant), recording is integrated into the game mode, which minimizes this effect.
To activate the game mode, you need to add the game to a special application center. Swiping from the corner of the screen during the game will open a panel with a record button. The advantage of this method is that the system prioritizes resources for the game, reducing the likelihood of lags. You can also turn off notifications here so they don't get caught in the frame.
A separate problem is protected content (DRM). When you try to record a movie from Netflix, ivi or the banking app screen, you will get a black screen with or without sound. This is not a fault of the phone, but protection of intellectual property rights at the level of the Android operating system. There is no way around this using standard methods.
- 🎮 Turn on “Do Not Disturb” before recording a game to hide pop-up messages.
- 🔋 Disable power saving to avoid dimming the screen brightness during recording.
- 📁 Check the free space: minute of recording in 1080p takes up about 60-100 MB of memory.
☑️ Preparing for long recording
Where to find the recorded video and how to share it
After recording is complete, the file is automatically saved to the internal memory of the device. The standard path to the video directory usually looks like Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots or Internal memory → Movies → ScreenRecorder. The exact location may depend on the firmware version and user settings.
In the gallery, such files often fall into a separate “Screen Recording” album or "Screenshots." The system EMUI allows you to immediately proceed to viewing and editing after stopping recording. The built-in editor offers basic functions: trimming the beginning and end of the video, adding stickers or text over the video.
To quickly send to instant messengers, consider the file size. If the video turns out to be too heavy, use the compression function when sending it to Telegram or WhatsApp, or pre-process the video in a specialized compressor application. Direct sending “as a file” will retain the original quality, but will take longer to load.
Always check for sound in the saved file before sending or publishing, as the microphone settings may have been lost during the recording process.
Frequent problems and solutions
Despite the smooth running of the system, users sometimes encounter errors. The most common problem is that the recording stops by itself after a few minutes. Most often, this is due to overheating of the case or aggressive operation of the energy saving system, which considers the recording process a background task.
If the sound is recorded with strong interference or crackling, try disabling third-party audio enhancements in the sound settings. Also make sure that the case does not block the microphone if you are using voice recording mode. In rare cases, clearing the cache of the Screen Recording application through the app settings menu helps.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the specific model (P30, P40, Mate 40, Nova) and security update version. Always check the current menu of your device.
If the record button is completely missing after a system update, try resetting the notification panel settings. Go to Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset control panel settings. This will return all the icons to their places without deleting personal data.
Why is there no sound in the headphones when recording the screen?
This is an Android security limitation. To avoid creating an audio loop (where the microphone hears audio from the headphones), the system can mute the audio output to the headphones when actively capturing system audio. Try switching to speaker or using microphone-only recording mode.
Is it possible to record the screen during a phone call?
No, during a normal voice call, screen recording is blocked by the system. This is due to the priority of the telephone module and privacy concerns of the interlocutor. Recording is only possible in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) when using the “System Sound” mode.
How to record a video longer than 1 hour without interruption?
The built-in utility can limit the recording time or file size (usually up to 4 GB). For very long recordings, use the exFAT file system (if the memory card supports it) or split the recording into parts. Also monitor the temperature of the device.
Where are the recording quality settings stored?
Settings are saved in the memory of the Screen Recording application. If you reset all applications in the phone menu, the settings will return to factory settings (usually 720p and microphone), and they will have to be set again.
Why does the video turn out black when recording YouTube?
This is DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. The browser or application detects an attempt to capture protected content and blocks the video stream from being output to the recording buffer. It is impossible to legally bypass this at the system level without modifying the firmware.