How to record video from your computer or smartphone screen

What is a screencast and why is it needed?

Imagine that you want to show someone how to use a website, explain step-by-step how to set up a computer, or record an error that is only visible on the screen. A screencast is a video that records everything that happens on the screen (or in a specific part of the screen). In other words, instead of describing the process in words, you show it, which is much easier to understand.

A screencast is especially useful when you:

• Help someone solve a computer problem.
• Prepare instructions for setting up a web service.
• Want to share educational videos (lessons, guides).
• Record errors to send to support.
• Create video content (reviews, demonstrations, streams).

Ways to record screen videos on different devices

Below is a selection of options for computers or laptops (Windows, macOS) and smartphones (Android, iOS).

Below we share step-by-step instructions for the listed methods.

How to record your screen on Windows using Game Bar

If you have Windows 10 or 11, these OS versions have a built-in Game Bar feature. Using it is one of the easiest and fastest ways to record video from your computer screen, and it doesn't require installing any additional software:

1. Launch Game Bar. To do this, press the keyboard shortcut «Win + G» to record your. screen. This will open the Game Bar panel with a menu for recording, audio, and more.
2. Adjust the settings (if necessary). In the menu, you can choose whether to record the microphone (voice audio) or system audio.
3. Start recording. Click the recording icon (◉) or press «Win + Alt + R» to start/stop recording.
   

   

4. Save the video. Once completed, the video will appear in the «Videos» → «Captures» folder.

However, Game Bar has certain limitations: it doesn't record the entire screen in some cases (for example, the Windows menu), and it doesn't have complex settings.

How to record video from your Windows or other OS screen using OBS Studio

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular free program for screen recording and streaming. To record video from your Windows 10/11 computer screen:

1. Download and install OBS Studio from the website.
2. After launching, click «+» in the «Sources» section → select «Window Capture» (to record only the browser or program window) or «Display Capture» (to record the entire screen).
   

   

3. Set the video quality, bitrate, and save location.
4. Click «Start Recording».
   

   

5. Once finished, click «Stop Recording» to save the video.

OBS Studio allows you to record part of your screen, add overlays, and adjust audio.

How to record your screen on macOS

There are two easy ways to record your screen on a macOS computer using built-in tools that don't require any additional software.

• Via QuickTime:
  1. Open QuickTime Player.
  2. In the menu, click «File» → «New Screen Recording».
     

     

  3. A recording panel will appear; click the record button.
     - To record the entire screen, click anywhere.
     - To record a portion of the screen, drag the mouse to the desired area.
     
  4. When finished, click «Stop» in the top menu bar and save the file.
• Using a keyboard shortcut (on macOS Mojave and later):
  1. Press «Shift + Command + 5» → a panel will appear with recording options: full screen, partial screen, or video recording.
  2. Select a region or the entire screen and click «Record».
  3. To stop, click the icon in the top menu bar or press «Command + Control + Esc».

How to record a screen video on Android

Newer versions of Android (starting with Android 10+) have a built-in screen recording feature. To use it:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
• Find the «Screen Recorder» icon.
  

  

• Tap it → select recording with microphone, system sound, or silent → tap «Start recording».
• Once finished, tap the stop button. The video will be available in your gallery.

If your Android device doesn't have a built-in screen recording feature, you can use apps like AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen, DU Recorder, and more.

How to record your screen on an iPhone / iPad

iOS devices have a built-in screen recording feature. To activate it:

1. Go to «Settings» → «Control Center» → «Customize Elements».
2. Add «Screen Recording» to the «Control Center».
3. Open the «Control Center» (from the top right corner or bottom, depending on your model).
4. Tap the «Screen Recording» icon; recording will begin after 3 seconds.
   

   

   To record with voice, long-press the icon → turn on the microphone.
5. To stop, tap the red bar at the top or go to «Control Center» again → «Stop».
6. The video will appear in your «Gallery» in the «Photos» folder.

Recording web content using browser extensions

Sometimes you need more than just a computer screen recording:

• Make a quick recording of web content (for example, when working with web applications or demonstrating a website's interface).
• Quickly share the recording with colleagues or clients, without storing unnecessary files on your computer.
• Create short guides or training videos that are easy to store and edit online.

In such cases, special browser extensions come to the rescue, allowing you to record your PC screen directly from a browser tab.

Advantages of browser extensions:

1. Ease of use: recording starts directly in the browser window, without the need to launch additional programs.
2. The ability to record a specific tab (instead of the entire screen), which reduces the video file size.
3. Automatically uploads the recording to the cloud and generates a link for quick sharing.
4. Basic tools for editing, trimming, and adding annotations are often built-in.

Popular extensions for Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers

• Loom. A very convenient service that allows you to record your screen, a specific tab, or your camera simultaneously. After recording, the video is automatically saved to your Loom account, from where you can easily share a link. Ideal for quick demos and screencasts.
• Screencastify. One of the most popular screen recording extensions. Supports recording a tab, the entire screen, or the camera. Videos can be stored locally or uploaded to Google Drive with a link generated.
• Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder. In addition to screenshots, it allows you to record video from the browser or the entire screen. It has basic editing features: cropping, adding arrows, and text.
• Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder. Convenient for quickly recording and annotating your screen, with the ability to save to the cloud and generate links for sharing.

Extensions like these perfectly complement basic screen recording tools and make screencast creation even faster and more convenient, especially if your work involves the web.

How to make a screencast using the Loom extension

We'll share step-by-step instructions on how to record video from your laptop screen using Loom:

1. Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click the extension icon in the browser toolbar.
3. Select what you want to record: a browser tab, the entire screen, or your camera.
4. Click «Start Recording» to begin recording.
   

   

5. Once the recording is complete, the video will appear in your account with the option to copy the link or download the file.

Tips for making your screencast truly useful

Recording a video of your PC or smartphone screen is only half the battle. To ensure your screencast doesn't just exist, but also helps, educates, or explains, the following recommendations will come in handy:

• Record the screen in sections, not the entire screen — this will help avoid noise and unnecessary details.
• Turn on the microphone when explaining your actions.
• Crop any unnecessary parts (if you've recorded too much, you can trim them in a video editor).
• Record clearly and slowly so the viewer has time to see and understand.
• Record clearly and slowly so the viewer has time to see and understand.
• Check the audio before starting to ensure there are no noises or silences.

This will help make your video clear, easy to watch, and professional-looking — whether you're creating instructions for a colleague or publishing a video on YouTube.