How to Record Screen and Audio on Android (Built-In Method + Best Apps)

Recording your Android screen is pretty simple these days. But getting the audio right is where many people struggle. You might want game sounds, voice narration, or app audio. In most cases, one overlooked setting fixes the problem. This guide explains the built-in Android screen recorder, the best third-party apps, and how to troubleshoot missing audio so your recordings come out right the first time.

What You Need to Know Before Recording

A few things to check before you start:

• Android 10 or higher is required to capture internal system audio using the built-in screen recorder. Earlier versions limit you to microphone audio only.

• Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Infinix, and other OEM skins include their own screen recorders built into Quick Settings. The steps are similar to stock Android, but menu labels and audio options may look slightly different.

• If your device runs Android 9 or below, skip ahead to the third-party apps section for your best options.

How to Record Screen and Audio Using Android’s Built-In Screen Recorder

The built-in screen recorder is available on most Android devices running Android 10 and above. It requires no downloads and is faster to launch than any third-party app. Here is how to use it:

1. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to fully expand the Quick Settings panel.

2. Locate the Screen Recorder tile. If you do not see it, tap the pencil or edit icon to add it from the available tiles list.

Also, depending on your brand, you may need to swap to the next page to find the screen recorder. Additionally, the name of the screen recorder can be different. For example, on Infinix NOTE 8i, running Android version 10, the app name is Silent screen recording.

3. Tap Screen Recorder to open the pre-recording prompt.

4. Configure your audio source before tapping Start. This is the step most users skip. Also, the options may vary, depending on your smartphone brand, model, and Android version. (See the section below for what each option does.)

5. Tap Start (or Start Recording / Start Screen Record). A countdown of 3 seconds will begin, then recording starts.

6. Record your screen as needed. A floating toolbar/button or notification bar will remain visible.

7. Tap Stop in the toolbar or pull down the notification shade and hit Stop. The video saves automatically to your gallery. You may also receive a notification confirming your screen recording has been saved.

Note: On Samsung devices, the Screen Recorder tile may show audio options as “No sound,” “Media sounds,” or “Media sounds and mic” — these correspond directly to the three audio source options covered below.

Choosing Your Audio Source: Internal, Microphone, or Both

The audio source selector appears as a prompt before you start recording, and it determines what your video will actually sound like. The three options are:

• Device audio (system/internal audio only): Captures the sounds your phone plays, including game audio, app sounds, music, and video playback. No voice is recorded. Best for: gameplay clips, app demos, silent walkthroughs.

• Microphone only: Records audio picked up by your phone’s built-in mic. No in-app or system sounds are captured. Best for: talking-head commentary, narrated tutorials where on-screen audio is not important.

• Both (device audio + microphone): Records system sounds and your voice simultaneously. This option is best for talking-head videos or narrated tutorials without important on-screen audio.

• Silent and Voiced screen recording (Infinix): Choosing the silent screen recording option only records the visuals without audio. Whereas selecting the Voice screen recording option captures both audio and visuals.

Important: Internal audio recording depends on Android’s AudioPlaybackCapture API from Android 10. Some apps, especially streaming services, block screen recording with DRM protection. Even with the correct settings, recording may still fail. The video can appear blank, and internal audio stays muted. In those cases, only microphone audio can be recorded.

How to Record Screen and Audio with Third-Party Apps

Third-party screen recorders cover several limitations of built-in tools. They support older Android versions and offer more recording controls. You also get overlay buttons and extra audio mixing options. The three most reliable options are compared below.

For pure audio quality and reliability, AZ Screen Recorder is the most tested and frequently recommended option.

Step-by-Step: Recording Screen with Audio Using AZ Screen Recorder

1. Install AZ Screen Recorder from the Google Play Store and open it.

2. Grant the required permissions when prompted: screen capture access, microphone, and storage.

3. Tap the Settings (gear) icon within the app to configure your recording before you start.

4. Go to Audio Source in settings and select your preferred input: microphone, internal audio, or both. 

5. Tap the red record button in the AZ floating bubble that appears over your screen.

6. Allow AZ Screen Recorder to record audio and confirm screen capture when Android’s system prompt appears — this is required on first use. After the confirmation, tap Start Now to start recording after the 3-second countdown.

7. Record your screen, then tap the floating bubble again and select Stop to save the file to your gallery.

Why There’s No Audio in Your Screen Recording (Troubleshooting)

Missing audio is the most common complaint after screen recording on Android. Here are the most frequent causes and how to fix each one.

• Audio source was set to “None” before recording. Re-launch the screen recorder and check the audio source setting before pressing Start. This is the single most common cause of silent recordings.

• DRM-protected apps are blocking internal audio. Apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ use content protection that prevents internal audio capture. This is by design and cannot be bypassed. Use microphone audio as an alternative, or record non-DRM content instead.

• Microphone permission was not granted to the recorder app. Go to Settings > Apps > [your recorder app] > Permissions and make sure the Microphone permission is enabled. Without it, the app records silence even when the mic option is selected.

• Your Android version is below 10. Internal audio capture through the MediaProjection API (AudioPlaybackCapture API) is only available on Android 10 and above. On older devices, enable microphone audio instead, or use AZ Screen Recorder, which has its own audio routing that extends support further back.

How to Get Better Audio Quality in Your Screen Recordings

The recording method matters, but audio quality depends on more than just which app you use. A few practical adjustments make a real difference:

• Record in a quiet room. Background noise from fans, traffic, or air conditioning is picked up by your phone’s mic and is difficult to remove after the fact.

• Set audio bitrate to 128 kbps or higher in your recorder app’s settings (if the option is available). The default is often 64 kbps, which sounds noticeably thin.

• Do not cover the microphone. The mic on most Android phones is located at the bottom edge. Landscape recording with both hands often partially blocks it.

• Keep the phone stable. Handling noise is picked up directly through the mic, especially during long recordings.

For users creating tutorials, app demos, or social content where voice clarity matters, the phone’s built-in microphone is often the weakest link. It works at close range in quiet conditions, but in most real-world settings it picks up room reverb and handling noise.

A direct upgrade is a plug-and-play USB-C microphone like the Hollyland LARK A1 (USB-C). It connects directly to Android phones with no Bluetooth pairing, no companion app, and no additional adapters. The LARK A1 includes three levels of intelligent noise cancellation and delivers noticeably cleaner voice audio, making it a practical choice for students, educators, or anyone recording narrated walkthroughs. For content creators who need more freedom of movement, the Hollyland LARK M2 is a wireless9g clip-on lavalier that eliminates cable constraints entirely while maintaining clear vocal audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record internal audio on Android without root?

Yes. On Android 10 and above, the built-in screen recorder and apps like AZ Screen Recorder use the MediaProjection API to capture internal audio without requiring root access. If your device runs Android 9 or below, internal audio capture is not natively supported, and a microphone recording is your practical alternative.

Does Android’s screen recorder capture audio from every app?

No. Apps that use DRM content protection, including most major streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, actively block internal audio capture. When you record over those apps, only microphone audio (if enabled) will be included. This is enforced at the platform level and cannot be bypassed by any standard app.

Which Android screen recorder supports both microphone and internal audio simultaneously?

AZ Screen Recorder and XRecorder both support simultaneous capture of internal system audio and microphone audio. You can enable this in each app’s audio settings before starting a recording. This mixed audio mode is ideal for gaming commentary or narrated app walkthroughs where both on-screen sound and your voice are needed.

Does screen recording drain battery faster?

Yes, particularly at high resolution and with audio recording enabled. For long recording sessions, lowering video resolution and audio bitrate reduces the processing load and extends battery life. Keeping the screen brightness lower during recording also helps. For recordings under 15 minutes, battery impact is generally minimal on modern Android devices.

Conclusion

For most Android users, the built-in screen recorder is the fastest and simplest starting point. Enable it from Quick Settings, select your audio source before you tap Start, and you are set. If you need more control, older device support, or better audio mixing, AZ Screen Recorder or XRecorder are the most reliable third-party choices. Whatever method you use, always confirm your audio source setting before recording.