The most common complaint about tutorial videos is simple: "What did you just tap?" On a phone, a finger press leaves no visible trace in a normal recording. Cinematic Recorder works as a click animation screen recorder: in the editor, each tap can show a short visual pulse, so viewers see exactly where and when you pressed.
What click animations do
A click animation is a small, brief effect drawn at the spot of each tap, such as a ring that expands and fades. It lasts just long enough for the eye to notice, then gets out of the way.
- Shows the exact spot: no guessing which of two nearby buttons you pressed.
- Shows the exact moment: viewers connect the tap with what happens next on screen.
- Works on any app you record: the effect is added in the editor, not inside the other app.
- Non-destructive: the original recording stays untouched; you can turn the effect off any time.
How it works
While you record, the app saves the position and time of every tap. When you open the project in the editor, those saved taps become click events on the timeline, and the animation is drawn on top of the video at the right place and moment.
Click animations are part of the cursor effects, so they work together with the smart cursor (smoothing and spotlight) and with auto zoom, which uses the same taps to decide where to zoom. When the view zooms in on a button and a pulse appears right on it, the action becomes impossible to miss. Our guide to cursor effects in videos shows how these pieces fit together.
When to use it
- Step-by-step tutorials: each tap marks a step. See how to make a tutorial video for planning the steps themselves.
- Bug reports: developers need to know the exact sequence of taps that caused a problem. Read our tips on recording clear bug report videos.
- App reviews and demos: show quickly how a feature is reached.
- Teaching family members: older relatives often follow taps more easily when each one is visibly marked.
In gameplay or long typing sections, many pulses in a row can feel busy. Turn the effect off for those parts or for the whole video if it does not help.
Step by step in the app
- Record your screen normally. Tap clearly, one action at a time.
- Open the project in the editor and go to the cursor effects.
- Turn on click animations and play back a section with a few taps.
- If the screen is busy, also try the spotlight so the pulse stands out more.
- Export in 16:9, 9:16 or 4:5. The pulses stay in the right place in the new frame.
Tips for clear taps
- Pause after important taps. Give the pulse and the result a moment before moving on.
- Say what you tap. "Now tap Settings" plus a visible pulse is the clearest combination.
- Keep scrolling separate. Scroll, stop, then tap, so the tap is not lost in motion.
- Use a test account when showing payment or banking apps, so no real details appear.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to enable "show taps" in my phone settings?
No. Click animations are added in the Cinematic Recorder editor from the taps the app recorded, so you do not need any developer option on your phone.
Can I turn click animations off for a finished video?
Yes. All edits are non-destructive. Turn the effect off in the editor and export again; the original recording is unchanged.
Are click animations available offline?
Yes. They are part of the editor and work without AI or an internet connection. Your videos stay on your phone.
A visible tap removes the most common confusion in tutorials. Turn on click animations, slow down a little, and every step becomes easy to follow.