How to Record Phone Screen with Internal Audio

Last week I needed to record a bug in an app to send to the developer, and I discovered that recording your phone screen with internal audio isn’t as obvious as it sounds. Many screen recorders capture the microphone but not the system audio. Here’s how to record your phone screen with internal audio on both Android and iPhone, without sketchy apps and without complications.

Table of contents

How to record screen with internal audio on Android (no apps)

Most modern Android phones (Android 11+) have a built-in screen recorder that captures internal audio. You don’t need to install anything.

On Samsung:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel
2. Look for the “Screen recorder” button (if it’s not there, edit the quick toggles)
3. Before starting, tap the settings icon inside the recorder
4. Select “Device audio” or “Media sounds”
5. Press “Start recording”
6. To stop, pull down the notification and tap “Stop”

On Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS):

1. Swipe down and look for “Screen recorder” in quick settings
2. Tap the gear icon (recorder settings)
3. Under “Sound source”, select “System sound”
4. Start recording

On Google Pixel:

1. Swipe down twice to open quick settings
2. Tap “Screen recorder”
3. Select “Device audio” in the options
4. Tap “Start”

On OnePlus:

1. Quick settings > “Screen recorder”
2. Recorder settings > Audio source > “Internal audio”

Pro-tip: If your phone doesn’t show the “device audio” or “internal audio” option, it’s probably running Android version below 10, or the manufacturer didn’t implement this feature. In that case, you need a third-party app.

Best apps for recording screen with internal audio

If your phone doesn’t have the built-in feature or you need more options, these apps work great:

AZ Screen Recorder: The most popular and for good reason. Free, no watermarks, and lets you choose between internal audio, microphone, or both. Resolution, bitrate, and FPS settings available. It’s my number one recommendation.

XRecorder: Similar to AZ Screen Recorder but with a basic built-in video editor. Lets you trim, add music and text. Good option if you want to edit the recording without another app.

MNML Screen Recorder: Open source and ad-free. Minimalist interface, basic settings but everything you need. For those who value simplicity and privacy.

How to set up internal audio in AZ Screen Recorder

1. Download AZ Screen Recorder from the Play Store
2. Open it and tap the gear icon (settings)
3. Go to “Audio” or “Record audio”
4. Select “Internal audio” (may require additional permissions)
5. If Android asks for audio recording permission, accept
6. Start recording from the floating button

How to record screen with internal audio on iPhone

iPhone has had native screen recording since iOS 11, but capturing internal audio requires an extra step.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Control Center
2. Add “Screen Recording” if it’s not already there
3. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center
4. Long-press the record button (don’t just tap it)
5. A menu will open: enable “Microphone” if you want to narrate, or leave it off for internal audio only
6. Tap “Start Recording”

Important: on iPhone, recording captures system audio automatically. The microphone toggle is only for adding your voice on top of the internal audio.

Warning: Some apps like Netflix, HBO Max, or Disney+ block screen recording due to DRM. You’ll see a black screen in those apps during recording. There’s no way to bypass this protection.

Tips for recording screen with good quality

Resolution: Record at your phone’s native resolution (usually 1080p or 1440p). Lowering resolution saves space but the image looks pixelated.

Bitrate: For clean internal audio, use at least 128 kbps for audio. For video, 12-20 Mbps is sufficient for most situations.

Storage space: One minute of recording at 1080p/30fps takes approximately 100-150 MB. Make sure you have space before long recording sessions.

Don’t interrupt: Avoid receiving calls during recording because Android/iOS will automatically stop it. Enable Do Not Disturb before starting.

Duration: Most recorders have a 2-3 hour limit per recording. If you need more, split the recording into parts.

How to record internal audio and microphone at the same time

One of the most common questions I get is whether you can record system audio and microphone simultaneously. The answer is yes, and it’s very useful if you make tutorials, gameplays, or app reviews.

On Android’s built-in recorder: Most manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) let you select both audio sources at the same time. Just enable both “Device audio” and “Microphone” before starting the recording.

In AZ Screen Recorder:

1. Open AZ Screen Recorder settings
2. Go to the Audio section
3. Select “Internal + Microphone” instead of just one
4. Adjust the relative volume of each source if the app allows it

Pro-tip: When recording both sources, speak at a normal volume and avoid shouting. Your phone’s microphone is sensitive, and if you speak too loudly, your voice can distort in the final recording. The ideal approach is to test for a few seconds before recording the full session.

On iPhone: The microphone toggle in iOS screen recording allows you to add your voice on top of internal audio. There’s no way to adjust the volume of each source separately, but it works quite well with the default settings.

Practical uses for screen recording with internal audio

Recording your screen isn’t just for gamers. There are many scenarios where this feature is incredibly useful:

Tutorials and training: If you’re teaching someone to use an app, recording the step-by-step process with internal audio is the clearest way to explain it. The viewer hears exactly what’s happening in the app while seeing the action.

Reporting bugs and issues: As I mentioned at the beginning, recording an error in an app and sending it to the developer is much more effective than trying to explain it in text. The developer sees exactly what happens.

Saving video calls: With participants’ permission, you can record an important video call to review later. Works well with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Capturing music or audio you can’t download: If you hear something on a streaming app you want to remember, screen recording with internal audio captures the sound without noticeable quality loss.

How to edit and share your recordings

Once you have the recording, you’ll probably need to do something with it. Here are some quick options:

Trim directly on your phone: Both Samsung and Xiaomi include a basic editor that lets you trim the beginning and end of the recording. You don’t need to install anything else for this.

Upload to YouTube or social media: If the recording is for public sharing, YouTube accepts the formats that screen recorders generate directly. For Instagram or TikTok, you may need to trim the duration.

Extract just the audio: If you only care about the audio (for example, a song or part of an interview), apps like Video to MP3 Converter let you extract the audio track from the recording.

Share via messaging: To send a short recording via WhatsApp or Telegram, compress the video first so it doesn’t take up too much space. Most recording apps have built-in compression options.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record screen with internal audio on Android without root?

Yes, since Android 10 (and later), the Android API allows apps to capture internal audio. Before Android 10, you needed root to capture system audio.

Why don’t I have internal audio option on my recorder?

There are three possible reasons: your Android version is below 10, the manufacturer didn’t implement the feature, or the app doesn’t support this feature. Try AZ Screen Recorder, which tends to be compatible with more devices.

Does screen recording drain a lot of battery?

Yes, quite a bit. Screen recording with internal audio consumes about 15-25% more battery than normal use due to continuous video and audio processing.

Do screen recordings have good audio quality?

Internal audio is usually captured with good quality (similar to the original), but some apps compress audio aggressively. If quality matters, set the audio bitrate to 192 kbps or higher in the recorder’s settings.

Conclusion

Recording your phone screen with internal audio is easier than it seems in 2026. Most modern Android phones and all iPhones have the feature built in. For advanced needs, apps like AZ Screen Recorder give you full control over quality and format. Set it up once and you’ll always have a professional screen recorder ready to go.