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In September 2020, Android 11 introduced a screen recorder to Android devices. While this tool may be basic, it is useful for recording gameplay footage or creating video tutorials on your phone. However, if you are using an older version of Android or require more advanced features, you can opt for a third-party screen recording app such as ScreenPal’s Android screen recorder app.
If you’re an Android user, you have the option to use the built-in screen recorder to record your screen in high definition. This built-in Android screen recorder also allows you to record audio from your microphone and even record touches on your screen. However, it lacks the ability to add music, video effects, text overlays, or other features that are often necessary to create a quality video.
In this article, we’ll go over two different tools that you can use to screen record on Android – the built-in Android screen recorder and the ScreenPal Android screen recorder app. We’ll also give you a rundown of the features available in each tool, so that you can choose the best screen recording tool for your needs. Finally, we’ll end with some useful tips to help you make the most out of your Android screen recording experience.
How to capture with the Android device’s built-in recorder
- Access your Android device
- Swipe down from the notification panel twice to bring up the Quick Settings
- Select the Screen Record icon from the settings menu
- Grant permission to start recording your device
- Select the sound setting — no sound, media sound, or media sounds and mic
- Tap Start Recording to start recording your screen
- Tap the Pause button to pause the recording temporarily
- Tap the Facecam button to record the front-facing camera footage
- Tap the Toolbar button to start drawing on the screen
- Tap the Stop button to stop the recording
How to screen record on Android with ScreenPal screen recorder
- Download the ScreenPal screen recorder app on Google Play
- Launch the ScreenPal app
- Tap the red Rec button at the bottom of the screen to launch the screen recorder
- Toggle Record Microphone if you want to record the microphone and add narration
- Toggle Record System Audio if you want to capture the Android device’s audio
- Select the type of recording — Screen Recording, Camera Recording, or Camera & Screen
- Tap the red Rec button again to stop recording
Benefits of ScreenPal’s screen recorder
Both ScreenPal and the native Android screen recorder are great options when it comes to recording your screen. But it’s worth noting that the Android screen recorder has limited features, such as recording full screen, recording with or without audio, drawing on the screen, recording the camera, and recording in various resolutions.
If you’re preparing a video for social media, or to share on a website, you’ll need access to additional tools. Below, we describe the features of the Android screen recorder and the ScreenPal Android screen recorder. You should review the features and determine which is better for your goals. Also, the Android screen recorder and ScreenPal are free, so the cost shouldn’t be a factor in your consideration.
Android screen recorder’s limited features:
- Record your entire screen
- Record your screen with or without sound
- Record your screen with media audio
- Record your screen with media audio and external microphone audio
- Temporarily pause or stop screen recording Android
- Record the screen or the front-facing camera’s footage
- Use the toolbar to draw on the screen
- Record in 480p or 720p resolutions
The Android screen recorder is a great tool but has limitations. For one, it’s only available for Android 11 and higher. Additionally, it can’t add music or text overlay, cut or trim videos, or add video effects, features that you need to produce compelling tutorials and social media content. If you need a screen recorder for any purpose beyond personal use, you’re better off with ScreenPal’s Android screen recorder app.
ScreenPal’s screen recording features:
- Record your entire screen or a part of the screen
- Recorder microphone
- Record system audio
- Record screen, front-facing camera, or both
- Overlay webcam footage on the screen recording
- Add music from your library of the ScreenPal stock library
- Overlay text on the video to add titles, captions, or watermarks
- Select different fonts and color palettes for the text
- Blur and obscure sensitive information or faces in real time
- Hide areas of your screen while recording
- Add video clips and recordings from the ScreenPal stock library
- Add fun shapes, stickers, emoticons, and interactive icons to the video
- Trim and cut different parts of your video to remove unwanted sections
- Crop and rotate your video to focus on a specific area
- Adjust the playback speed of the video
- Enhance the screen recording with video filters
- Directly upload the video to social media or other apps
ScreenPal’s Android screen recorder is the way to go if you’re looking for a more feature-rich screen recorder than the default Android one. ScreenPal offers advanced features for creating how-to videos, product demos, or recording mobile gameplay. Teachers may find it useful for assigning video projects to students.
Tips for screen recording on Android
It’s easy to record your screen on Android, but you must select the correct app to start. As we have already discussed, the native Android screen recorder is only suitable for basic, short videos. You must rely on powerful third-party apps, such as ScreenPal, for sophisticated screen recording capabilities. But producing an effective video is about much more than simply hitting the record button. Below, we offer valuable tips for screen recording on Android.
- Turn on “do not disturb – When recording your screen, you want to avoid any distractions that can come from incoming notifications. To avoid this, make sure to turn on Do Not Disturb mode on your phone. This will ensure that you won’t be interrupted by any notifications while recording. Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the Do Not Disturb icon. You can also schedule Do Not Disturb to turn on automatically at certain times.
- Lock your screen orientation – If you’re recording a video on your phone, it’s important to make sure that your screen doesn’t rotate accidentally. To prevent this from happening, you can lock your screen orientation. To do this, go to your phone’s Settings and look for the Display section. Once you find it, turn on the option that says “Lock Screen Orientation.” This will keep your screen fixed in one position while you’re recording.
- Clear screen clutter – If you plan to record your screen, it’s essential to ensure that your screen is as organized as possible. This involves removing any unnecessary icons and decluttering the screen. If you’re creating a tutorial, it’s vital to keep the viewer’s attention focused, and a cluttered screen can be a significant source of distraction. You can declutter your screen by hiding specific icons from the Display section in your phone’s Settings.
- Choose an appropriate wallpaper – When recording your screen, it’s important to remember that others may see it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose an appropriate wallpaper. Personal photos should be avoided, and instead, opt for something professional and neutral. This is important because personal photos may reveal information about your identity that you’d prefer to keep private. To avoid drawing your viewer’s attention, it’s advisable to use solid colors for your background.
- Decide if you want to mute the audio – It can be extremely frustrating when you record a video and then realize that the sound wasn’t captured because your phone was muted. To avoid this issue, make sure that your phone’s mute function is turned off when recording videos. This way, you can ensure that any sound that is playing on your device will be recorded along with the video.
- Check system resources – Before you begin recording, it’s a good idea to check your system resources. This means turning off any unnecessary apps and processes that are running in the background. Doing this will ensure that your recording runs smoothly and without interruption. This tip is particularly useful if you plan to record yourself while playing video games or using other apps that require a lot of processing power. Make sure that most of your phone’s processing power is dedicated to video recording.
- Plan your recording – Preparing well before starting a project is crucial, and this also applies when recording a video on your Android device. Although it may seem like a simple task, there are numerous factors to consider before starting the recording process. You need to know the video’s purpose, such as recording a tutorial, a game walkthrough, or a vlog, to plan the video content. Determine what you need to include in the video to convey your message effectively. The video’s length is another critical factor to consider. For instance, how long do you want the video to be? Keep in mind that viewers have a limited attention span, so it’s best to keep your videos concise. In case you’re recording a tutorial, ensure it’s broken down into manageable steps that viewers can easily follow.
- Use the correct equipment – Before you begin recording a video on your Android device, it is important to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment. You should consider if you need a tripod or any other type of mount to hold your phone steady while filming. You should also check if you need any special lighting to ensure that your video looks clear and well-lit. Once you have everything you need, you can start recording your video with confidence.
- Save storage space – It’s a good idea to free up storage space before starting a screen recording because such recordings can take up a lot of space. You wouldn’t want your device to run out of space in the middle of a recording, right? There are a few ways to save storage space on your Android device before starting a screen recording. For example, you can delete photos, videos, or screen recordings that you no longer need. Additionally, you can delete unused apps to free up some space. Clearing your Android’s cache can also help it run more efficiently. If you have a lot of photos and videos, you can try backing them up to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. However, if you’re using the ScreenPal app to screen record on Android, you don’t have to worry about cloud storage. ScreenPal can host and manage your screen recordings, so they don’t have to take up your device’s storage space.
Screen recording is a useful tool that can help you save important information, create helpful how-to videos, and build a strong following on social media. However, it’s crucial to use the right tools and follow a streamlined strategy to ensure high-quality recordings. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the process of screen recording on Android! Happy creating!
