Modern smartphone users are often faced with the need to capture what is happening on the display: be it completing a difficult level in a game, creating a training tutorial, or recording a system error for technical support. Owners of devices running Android 9 Pieare in an interesting situation, since this version of the operating system has become a kind of “bridge” between classic screencasting methods and modern native solutions. If you are looking for a way to record the screen on Android 9, then you are in luck - the arsenal of available tools is quite wide and allows you to choose the best option without root access.
The main difficulty is that Google has not implemented a single standard "Screen Record" button in the quick settings panel for all manufacturers in this particular version of the OS. Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other vendors This function was implemented in different ways, and on “pure” Android it could be completely absent in the basic configuration. This is why understanding the architecture of your specific firmware becomes a critical step before getting started. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available methods, from hidden system commands to professional third-party snails.
It is important to immediately note that the quality of the final video and the presence of an audio track directly depend on the chosen method and the hardware capabilities of your gadget. Starting with Android 9, the system has received an improved API for media capture, which allows third-party applications to work more smoothly and with less resource consumption than on older versions. We will look at the nuances of setting the bitrate, resolution and sound sources so that your content looks professional.
Native manufacturer tools and hidden functions
The first thing you need to do before installing any software is to carefully check the capabilities of your shell. Many users do not even suspect that the function is already built into their MIUI, EMUI or One UI, but is simply hidden in the depths of the menu or requires activation through engineering codes. Manufacturers often hide such options so as not to overload the interface for beginners, considering them a tool for advanced ones.
On devices Samsung with the One UI shell (based on Android 9) there was often a "Game Recorder" or "Screen Record" function in the notification panel. However, its visibility depended on the region and model. If there is no standard icon, you should try an advanced search in the settings: enter the word “record” or “screenshot” in the settings search bar. Sometimes activation requires enabling developer mode.
How to enable developer mode on Android 9?
Go to Settings → About phone → Software information. Find "Build Number" and quickly click on it 7 times in a row. After this, a new section “System” or a separate item “For Developers” will appear in the settings menu, where you can find additional debugging and logging options.
Devices from Xiaomi i Huawei often have a built-in “Master Screen” toolkit or similar utilities that are activated by swiping from the corner of the screen or through a floating menu. These tools allow you not only to write a video, but also to immediately draw on the screen, making the screencast more informative. Check for such widgets in the "Tools" folder on your desktop.
- 📱 Check the quick settings panel: pull the notification shade down twice and look for the "Screen Recorder" or "Screen Recorder" icon.
- ⚙️ Use the settings search: enter keywords in the system settings search bar to find hidden ones functions.
- 🎮 Launch the game: on some smartphones, the recording function is activated automatically when you launch the game application through Game Turbo or Game Launcher.
If you find a built-in function, be sure to go to its settings. There you can select the resolution (usually 720p or 1080p), frame rate (30 or 60 fps) and audio source. Android 9 is characterized by the ability to choose between recording internal sound (if supported by the chipset) and a microphone, although on this version of the OS internal sound was often unavailable for third-party applications without root access.
Built-in tools are always preferable to third-party ones, since they are optimized by the manufacturer and consume less battery power.
Using ADB to activate a hidden recorder
For owners of smartphones with “pure” Android 9 or those whose manufacturer has blocked the recording function, there is a powerful activation method through the Android debugging bridge (ADB). This method allows you to enable the system screen recorder, which is hidden by default, but is present in the system code. This does not require obtaining root access, but necessitates having a computer.
The essence of the method is to send a special command to the device, which changes the value of a system variable. You will need to install ADB drivers on your PC, enable USB debugging on your phone, and connect it with a cable. After executing the command, a new button to start the screencast should appear in the quick settings panel (curtain).
adb shell settings put global settings_enable_screen_record 1However, it is worth considering that this command does not work equally on all firmware. In some cases, the variable may be named differently or be completely locked by the vendor at the kernel level. If after a reboot the button does not appear, try alternative commands or check the forums dedicated specifically to your device model, since customization Android manufacturers make their own adjustments.
⚠️ Warning: Using ADB commands requires caution. Incorrectly changing system settings can lead to unstable operation of the interface. Always back up important data before tampering with system parameters via a debug bridge.
After activating the function via ADB, you get access to the basic Google recorder. It can record video at screen resolution, but often lacks the ability to capture internal audio, recording only silence or audio from a microphone. This limitation is due to Android 9 security policies, which strictly control application access to the system audio stream.
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to the PC in the "File Transfer" mode and enable USB debugging.
- 💻 Launch the command line in the ADB folder and enter the activation command.
- 🔄 Restart the device and check the editable part of the notification panel for a new icon.
This method is ideal for those who do not want to clutter up the phone's memory with unnecessary applications and are willing to spend 5-10 minutes on the initial setup. This is the “golden mean” between native capabilities and heavy third-party software.
Third-party applications for screencasting
When system methods are exhausted, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue. In the Android 9 era, the market for such utilities was crowded, but only a few of them deserve attention due to the absence of intrusive advertising, watermarks and the presence of advanced encoding settings. The leaders then were considered ADV Screen Recorder, AZ Screen Recorder i XRecorder.
These applications use a legitimate screencast API, asking the user for permission to capture an image. They are able to work around some of the limitations by offering high bitrate recording, webcam overlay (picture-in-picture) and real-time stylus drawing. This was a breakthrough for Android 9, since previously such functions were only available on rooted devices.
When choosing an application, pay attention to the permissions it requests. A good recorder doesn't need access to your contacts, SMS or geolocation. Enough permission for “Screen Recording”, “Audio” and “File Storage”. Avoid suspicious apps that require excessive rights, as this may be a sign of spyware. video spyware.
| Application | Advertising | Internal sound (Android 9) | Video editor |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADV Screen Recorder | Minimum | No (microphone only) | Basic |
| AZ Screen Recorder | Present | No (microphone only) | Advanced |
| XRecorder | Moderate | Partially (depending on the model) | Yes |
| Screen Recorder Pro | No (Premium) | No | Professional |
An important aspect is the impact of third-party recorders on performance. They constantly hang in RAM and use the processor to encode video on the fly. On budget devices running Android 9, this may cause stuttering in games. It is recommended to close background applications before starting long-term recording.
To reduce the load on the processor when recording through third-party applications, set the H.264 codec and bitrate to no higher than 4 Mbps in the recorder settings. This will ensure good quality with less resource consumption.
Adjusting quality and recording parameters
The quality of the final video recording is a balance between resolution, frame rate and bitrate. On Android 9, the standard and most compatible format is MP4 with the H.264 codec. Trying to set the maximum settings on a mid-range device may result in audio and video desynchronization or complete application failure.
The resolution should be selected based on the pixel density of your screen. There is no point in recording in 1080p if the smartphone matrix has a resolution of 720p - this will only increase the file size without improving the picture. For social networks (Instagram Stories, TikTok), the vertical 720p format is often sufficient, which significantly saves space.
Frame rate (FPS) is another critical parameter. To record a static interface, training lectures or work with documents, 30 frames per secondis enough. If you are recording dynamic gameplay, where smooth movements are important, you should try 60 fps, but be prepared for the fact that the file will weigh twice as much.
- 🎬 Bitrate: for 1080p, the optimal value is 8-12 Mbps, for 720p - 4-6 Mbps.
- 🔊 Audio: Choose AAC codec with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz for best compatibility.
- 💾 Orientation: Fix the orientation (portrait/landscape) to avoid video flipping when rotated phone.
Don't forget about disk space. A minute of recording in high quality can take from 50 to 100 megabytes. Clean out your recordings folder regularly or set the app to automatically upload to the cloud, if such a feature is supported. Internal memory full is a common cause of sudden recording interruption.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of settings in applications may change after updates. Always check that the settings in the "About the application" section or on the developer page are up to date, as functionality may be changed or removed.
Sound problems and solutions
One of the most painful topics for Android 9 users is recording internal sound (system audio). Unlike Android 10 and newer, where Google introduced direct access to the audio stream, in Nine this channel was closed to third-party applications for security and copyright protection (DRM) reasons.
This means that when you record a game or YouTube video through a third-party app, you will likely end up with a video with no audio or low audio recorded through the microphone. The only exception is when the smartphone manufacturer (for example Samsung or Xiaomi) has implemented its own audio capture driver in its shell.
There is a workaround for some devices, which is to use an AUX cable (if there is a 3.5 mm jack) or a Bluetooth headset with Loopback function, but it's difficult and inconvenient. An easier way is to use the "Silent Sound" mode and record your voice through a microphone if you need to comment on actions, and the system sound is not critical.
Why is there no sound in the video when recording a game?
In Android 9, Google blocked direct capture of internal audio for third-party applications. Sound will appear only if your phone has a built-in screen recording function from the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) or if you use special modified firmware.
If sound recording is critical, and there are no built-in tools, use an external sound card connected via USB-OTG, which will mix the signal, but this is already the level of professional streaming. For most everyday tasks, you will have to put up with recording via a microphone, ensuring silence in the room.
Optimization and saving results
After recording is completed, the file is saved to the gallery, usually to a folder DCIM/ScreenRecords or Movies. Files can be very large, so optimizing them becomes a necessity, especially if you plan to send videos through instant messengers that highly compress the content.
Use the built-in gallery tools or lightweight video editors to trim the beginning and end of the recording where you adjusted the parameters. It is also useful to convert the video to a lighter format if the source is too heavy. The format WEBM often provides better compression for the same quality than MP4, and is well supported by browsers.
Regularly check the access rights of recorder applications. After updating Android or the app itself, permissions may be reset and recording will stop working or start without sound. Keep your software up to date, but beware of beta versions that may contain bugs.
☑️ Check before important entry
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does screen recording stop on its own after 5-10 minutes?
This can happen due to a lack of free RAM, aggressive energy saving that “kills” the background recording process, or full internal memory. Try closing all applications and disabling power saving mode.
Is it possible to record the call sound along with the screen on Android 9?
Technically, this is extremely difficult due to Android security restrictions. Applications are not allowed to access the telephony audio stream. Recording is only possible through a microphone in hands-free mode, but the quality will be low, and the interlocutor will be warned about the recording.
Where are the files stored after recording the screen?
By default, files are saved to the folder Internal memory/DCIM/ScreenRecorder or Internal memory/Movies. The exact path can be found in the settings of the recorder application itself in the "Save Path" or "Output Folder" section.
Does screen recording affect game performance?
Yes, there is an influence. The video encoding process requires CPU resources. On powerful flagships this is not noticeable, but on budget devices there may be a drop in FPS. Reducing the recording quality (bitrate and resolution) helps mitigate this effect.