Screen recording on Android has become an integral function for creating guides, streams or fixing bugs. But after clicking the “Stop” button, many users encounter a problem: where to look for a saved video file? Standard storage paths depend on the version of the operating system, the smartphone manufacturer, and even the recording application used. In this article, we will analyze all possible locations, including hidden folders, and learn how to manage the save location so that you no longer lose important recordings.

The peculiarity of Android is that each brand - Samsung, Xiaomi, Google or OnePlus - can use its own storage algorithms multimedia. For example, on Samsung Galaxy with a shell One UI records by default end up in the folder ScreenRecordings, while on "pure" Android (for example, Pixel 7) - in Movies. And if you use third-party utilities like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen, the rules change again. Next is a detailed guide with visual cues and instructions for all cases.

Standard ways to save screen recordings on Android

On most devices, screen recordings are saved by default in the internal memory of the smartphone, but the exact path depends on the version of Android and the proprietary shell. Here are the basic rules:

  • 📁 Android 10 and later (pure Android, Google Pixel, Motorola): folder Movies/ScreenRecordings or DCIM/Screenshots (if the entry was made through the quick settings panel).
  • 📱 Samsung One UI: Internal Storage/ScreenRecordings (on new models) or DCIM/ScreenRecorder (on older versions).
  • 🔥 Xiaomi (MIUI): MIUI/screenrecord or Movies (depending on the MIUI version).
  • ⚡ OnePlus (OxygenOS): Pictures/Screenshots or Movies.

To quickly find the entry, open the application Gallery or Files (for example, Files by Google) and use the keyword search screen or record. If the file is not in the expected folder, check the section Downloads (Download) - sometimes records “fly” there during failures.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) records can be saved in a protected folder HWScreenRecord, which can only be accessed through a proprietary file manager. Trying to open it through third-party applications (like Total Commander) may result in an error.
Brand/Shell Standard saving path Notes
Google Pixel (pure Android) Internal Storage/Movies/ScreenRecordings On Android 13+ can be duplicated in DCIM/Screenshots.
Samsung One UI Internal Storage/ScreenRecordings On older models (until 2021) - DCIM/ScreenRecorder.
Xiaomi MIUI Internal Storage/MIUI/screenrecord In MIUI 14+, recordings can be automatically archived in MIUI/CloudBackup.
OnePlus OxygenOS Internal Storage/Pictures/Screenshots When recording with sound, the file may have prefix SCR_.
📊 What brand of smartphone do you use?
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How to change the screen recording saving folder

If the standard location does not suit you (for example, the recordings take up space on the internal drive), you can redirect them to SD card or to the cloud. The methods depend on the recording method:

1. Through the built-in Android function

On most devices, the saving path is set in the screen recording settings:

  1. Open the quick settings panel and hold the icon Screen recording (or go to Settings → Advanced functions → Screen recording).
  2. Select item Save location or Storage location.
  3. Specify the desired folder (for example, SD-card/Video) or cloud service (if supported).

2. In third-party applications

Popular utilities like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen allow you to flexibly configure storage:

  • 🔧 In AZ Screen Recorder: Settings → Save folder → Select folder.
  • ☁️ In Mobizen: Settings → Saving → Cloud (Google Drive/Dropbox).
  • 📁 In DU Recorder: Settings → Media → Saving path.
⚠️ Attention: When recording to an SD card, make sure that it is formatted as internal memory (on Android 6.0+). memory Settings → Storage → SD card.

Check free space on the new drive

Format the SD card as internal (if necessary)

Close all applications using camera/microphone

Restart your smartphone after changes-->

Why the screen recording is not saved and how to fix it

Sometimes after stopping recording, the file simply disappears or does not appear in the gallery:

  • 🚫 Not enough memory: Check the free space in Settings → Storage. The minimum reserve is 500 MB.
  • 🔒 Missing rights: Allow the application to write to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Permissions → Storage.
  • 📱 System failure: Reboot the device Sometimes entries appear after. reboot.
  • 🎥 Conflict with other applications: Close apps that use the camera/microphone (for example, Zoom or Instagram).

If the file is not displayed in the gallery, but takes up space on disk, try:

  1. Open a file manager (for example, Files by Google) and manually go to the save folder.
  2. Use search by extension: enter in the search bar *.mp4.
  3. Connect your smartphone to the PC and check hidden folders (turn on display of hidden files in settings in Windows Explorer).
What to do if the recording is saved but not played?

If the file is there, but cannot be opened by the player, the problem may be in the codec or data corruption. Try:

1. Play the recording on your PC using VLC Media Player (supported by most). formats).

2. Convert the file to another format via HandBrake or Online-Convert.

3. Check the file for errors using the utility FFmpeg (command: ffmpeg -v error -i input.mp4 -f null -).

Where to look for screen recordings on specific models smartphones

Manufacturers often modify standard paths. Here is the current data for popular brands:

Samsung Galaxy (One UI 5.0 and later)

Records are saved in Internal Storage/ScreenRecordingsFeatures:

  • 📂 The files have a format .mp4 and a type name ScreenRecording_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.mp4.
  • 🔊 If the recording has sound, a suffix may be added to the name _mic.
  • ☁️ When synchronizing with Samsung Cloud records are duplicated in the cloud (setting in Settings → Accounts and archiving).

Xiaomi (MIUI 13/14)

Path: Internal Storage/MIUI/screenrecord. Important:

  • 🔄 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12) records are automatically optimized to save space, which may reduce quality.
  • 📌 In MIUI 14 a save option has been added to MIUI/CloudBackup (enabled in the recording settings).

Google Pixel (Android 13/14)

Files are searched in Movies/ScreenRecordings or DCIM/Screenshots. Feature Pixel - support for the format HEVC (H.265), which may not be played on older devices.

OnePlus (OxygenOS 13+)

Path: Pictures/ScreenshotsWhen recording with a microphone, the file is marked. tag _audio.

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On Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and later, screen recordings in 4K resolution are automatically saved to the folder 4K_Videos in ScreenRecordings. To change this, disable the “4K Resolution” option in the recording settings.

How to recover a lost screen recording

If the recording is lost, do not rush to panic. Here is the algorithm:

  1. Check your cart: In applications Google Photos or Gallery there may be a folder Cart (files are stored there for up to 30 days).
  2. Use recovery tools: apps like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver scan the memory for deleted video files. Important: do not write new data to the device before recovery!
  3. Check cloud services backups: If synchronization with Google Drive or Mi Cloudis enabled, the recording could go there automatically.

To restore via DiskDigger:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Select Full scan (root access required for deep search).
  3. Filter the results by extension .mp4 or .mkv.
  4. Save the recovered files to an SD card or PC.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with File-Based Encryption (FBE, for example Pixel 6 and newer) recovering deleted files without root is almost impossible. In this case, only a backup copy will help.
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The sooner you start restoring, the higher the chances of getting the recording back. Each new recording or installation of applications overwrites memory sectors, reducing the likelihood of success.

Automatic uploading of recordings to the cloud

To avoid losing important recordings, set up automatic uploading to the cloud. Options:

  • ☁️ Google Photos: Enable Backup and synchronization in the application settings. Screen recordings will be downloaded to the folder Video.
  • 📁 Samsung Cloud: On devices Samsung activate the option in Settings → Accounts and archiving → Data archiving.
  • 🔗 Dropbox/OneDrive: In application settings, specify the folder for automatic downloading (for example, Apps/ScreenRecordings).

For Google Photos:

  1. Open the application and go in Settings → Backup and synchronization.
  2. Select High quality (free) or Original quality (counts towards Google Drive quota).
  3. Make sure the option Download videos is enabled.

On Android 12+ devices, screen recordings made through the Quick Settings panel may be automatically excluded from backup to Google Photos. To fix this, add the folder ScreenRecordings to the exclusion list in the application settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about screen recording on Android

Can I record the screen with internal audio (without a microphone)?

On most Android devices 10+ recording of internal audio (for example, from games or music) is blocked by Google policy. Workarounds:

  • Use AZ Screen Recorder with option Recording internal audio sound (requires Android 10+ and root access on some devices).
  • Connect an external microphone and record sound from it.
  • On Samsung s One UI 3.1+ the built-in screen recording supports internal audio (enabled in the recording settings).
Why screen recording is interrupted after 3-5 minutes?

The time limit may be due to:

  • 🔋 Battery saving: Disable the power saving mode in the battery settings.
  • 📱 Overheating: Close background applications and lower the recording resolution.
  • 🛑 OS limitations: On some devices (for example, Huawei), recording automatically stops after 5 minutes. The solution is to use third-party applications.
How to record screen resolution. 4K?

To record in 4K:

  1. Make sure your device supports 4K (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+, OnePlus 11).
  2. In the recording settings, select the resolution 3840×2160 (or 4K UHD).
  3. Keep in mind that the file will weigh ~1 GB for 5 minutes of recording.

On Google Pixel 4K requires Android 13+ and the option enabled High quality in the camera settings.

Is it possible record the screen during a call?

Technically yes, but:

  • 📞 On most devices, audio recording during a call is blocked.
  • 📹 The video will be recorded, but without sound (or with the sound of the microphone if it is not muted).
  • ⚠️ Recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate the laws of your country.
Where are screen recordings made via ADB stored?

When recording the screen through a command adb shell screenrecord the file is saved in the root folder of the device under the name screenrecord.mp4. To change the path, specify it in the command:

adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/Download/my_record.mp4

The file will be available at the path Internal Storage/Download/my_record.mp4.