How to record your iPhone screen

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Screen recording makes a video of what happens on your iPhone, with sound if you want. It is useful for showing someone how to do something or for saving a clip from a game.

Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open Control Centre

   Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.

   Done

2. Add the Screen Recording button if it is missing

   Touch and hold an empty area of Control Centre, tap Add a Control, search for Screen Recording and tap it.

   Done

3. Tap the record button

   It is a solid dot inside a circle. A three-second countdown starts, which gives you time to close Control Centre.

   Done

4. Record your voice as well

   To include your own voice, touch and hold the record button before you start and tap the microphone so it turns on.

   Done

5. Stop the recording

   Tap the red indicator at the top of the screen, then tap Stop. The video is saved in Photos, where you can trim the start and end with Edit.

   Done

Good to know

Notifications that arrive while you record appear in the video. Turn on Do Not Disturb first.

Some apps block recording of protected video, so films in streaming apps appear black.

Recording other people on a call without telling them is illegal in many places. Ask first.

In short: Control Centre, record button, wait three seconds. Tap the red indicator to stop.