Samsung Galaxy phones make it easy to screen record, because One UI includes a recorder right in the quick panel. This guide shows how to screen record on Samsung step by step, which sound option to choose, how to adjust quality, and when it makes sense to use a dedicated recorder app instead.
The steps below work on most Galaxy A, M, S, Z and Tab devices running recent One UI versions. Menu names can shift slightly between versions, so look for similar wording if yours differs.
Find the screen recorder in the quick panel
- Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers, or swipe down twice, to open the full quick panel.
- Swipe left through the tiles and look for Screen recorder.
- If it isn't there, tap the pencil (edit) icon or the three-dot menu and choose "Edit buttons". Drag Screen recorder into the active tiles and tap Done.
Put the tile on the first page of the panel. You will use it often, and it saves a swipe every time.
How to screen record on Samsung, step by step
- Tap Screen recorder. A small window appears with sound options.
- Choose sound: No sound, Media sounds, or Media sounds and mic. (Exact labels vary by One UI version.)
- Tap Start recording. A three-second countdown runs, then recording starts.
- Use the floating toolbar. Samsung shows a small bar with options such as drawing on screen, adding a selfie video, and stop.
- Stop. Tap the stop button on the toolbar or in the notification panel.
Your recording appears in the Gallery, usually in an album named "Screen recordings".
Choosing the right sound setting
This is the part that causes the most confusion, so here is what each option does:
| Option | What it records | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| No sound | Video only | Silent demos you will narrate later |
| Media sounds | Sound from apps, videos, games | Gameplay, app sound effects, music previews |
| Media sounds and mic | App sound plus your voice | Tutorials with narration |
Some apps, especially streaming and banking apps, block their sound from being captured. Phone calls also can't be recorded with a screen recorder. If your video ends up silent, see our guide to fixing screen recordings with no sound.
Video quality settings on Samsung
In the screen recorder settings (long-press the tile), you can usually set:
- Video quality: 480p, 720p or 1080p. Choose 1080p for tutorials where text must be readable.
- Selfie video size: how large the front-camera overlay appears.
- Show taps and touches: displays a dot where you touch, helpful for tutorials.
The built-in recorder generally doesn't let you choose frame rate or bitrate in detail. If you record fast games or lots of scrolling, read about the best screen recording settings on Android to understand what you might be missing.
When a dedicated app works better
Samsung's recorder is solid for quick clips. A dedicated app helps when you want the video to look edited and ready to post. With Cinematic Recorder you get:
- Recording up to 60fps with resolution and quality choices (60fps and 1080p+ with Premium; up to 720p at 30fps on the free plan).
- Microphone and internal audio together, with a live mic level meter so you can see your voice is being picked up.
- A front-camera bubble recorded into the video, and floating controls to pause and resume from any app. Read more about using floating recording controls.
- An editor with click-based auto zoom, cursor smoothing, focus highlight, and export to 16:9, 9:16 or 4:5. See the auto zoom feature.
- Templates for tutorials, product demos, app reviews and lectures.
Your recordings stay on your phone, and every edit is non-destructive, so the original file is never changed.
Samsung-specific tips for clean recordings
Turn on Do Not Disturb
Swipe down and tap Do Not Disturb before you record. It stops WhatsApp, Messenger or bank SMS pop-ups from appearing on screen. Our guide on how to screen record without notifications covers more options, including Modes on newer One UI versions.
Watch out for Edge panels
If you use the Edge panel handle, it will show in your recording. Hide it temporarily in Settings, usually under Display or Edge panels.
Galaxy tablets
On Galaxy Tab devices, landscape recordings fit YouTube perfectly. S Pen users can draw on screen during a recording, which is great for explaining diagrams. For more ideas, read about screen recording on Android tablets.
Battery and heat
Long recordings at 1080p can warm the phone. Close heavy apps, lower brightness a little, and keep the charger nearby for sessions longer than half an hour.
FAQ
Why can't I find the screen recorder on my Samsung phone?
It may simply be hidden from the quick panel. Open the panel, tap the edit option, and drag Screen recorder into the active tiles. Very old Galaxy models may not have it; a recorder app works on those.
Can I record my voice and game sound at the same time on Samsung?
Yes. Choose "Media sounds and mic" (or similar) before starting. If the game blocks audio capture, only your voice will be recorded.
How do I record internal audio only, without background noise?
Select "Media sounds". This captures sound from the phone without the microphone, so room noise isn't recorded.
Where are Samsung screen recordings saved?
In the Gallery app, usually in the "Screen recordings" album. In My Files they are typically under DCIM or a Screen recordings folder.
Start with the One UI recorder for quick clips, and move to a dedicated app when you want zoom, camera bubbles and ready-to-post formats. Either way, a short test recording first will save you time.