Yes, iPhone screen recording captures sound by default, but you can turn it off

When you record your iPhone screen using the built-in screen recording tool, audio is captured along with the video unless you specifically disable it. This means any sounds playing through your phone — app audio, music, voice calls, notifications — will be included in your recording file. The audio comes from your device's speaker or headphones, not from a microphone pointed at your phone.

Whether you want sound in your recording depends on what you're recording. If you're making a tutorial, you probably want to narrate it separately and turn off system audio. If you're capturing a video call or a game, you likely want the original sound included. iPhone gives you the choice before you start recording.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen recording on iPhone records all audio playing through your device by default, including app sounds, music, and voice calls.
  • You can disable audio recording by opening Control Center, long-pressing the screen recording button, and toggling off "Microphone Audio."
  • Disabling microphone audio stops your voice from being recorded, but system sounds from apps will still be captured unless you mute your device.
  • To record video without any sound at all, mute your iPhone using the physical mute switch before you start recording.
  • Once you start recording, you cannot change the audio settings — you must stop and restart the recording to switch between audio modes.

How to turn off audio before you start recording

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older iPhones). Find the screen recording icon — it looks like a filled circle inside a larger circle. Press and hold it until a menu appears with options.

You will see a toggle labeled "Microphone Audio." If it is green or highlighted, your microphone is on and will record your voice. Tap it to turn it off. The toggle will become gray. Now when you tap "Start Recording," your voice will not be captured, though app sounds and system audio will still be recorded.

If you want no sound at all, use the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone before you start recording. This silences all audio from your device, including app sounds and notifications. Screen recording will then capture video with no audio track.

What audio gets recorded and what does not

When microphone audio is on, your voice and any sound near your phone's microphone will be recorded. This includes you speaking, background noise in your room, and any audio playing through your device's speaker or connected headphones. If you are on a video call, both your voice and the other person's voice will be in the recording.

When microphone audio is off, your voice will not be recorded, but app sounds will still come through. If you are playing a game, watching a video, or using an app that makes noise, those sounds will be in your recording. Notifications and system sounds like button clicks will also be captured. To eliminate all sound, you must mute your device using the physical switch.

The audio quality in your recording depends on your device's microphone and speaker quality. If you are recording a video call or a conversation, the audio will be compressed along with the video, so it may not sound as clear as the original call.

Recording a tutorial or demo without your voice

If you are making a tutorial and want to add narration later, disable microphone audio before recording. This prevents your real-time voice from being captured while you tap through the app. App sounds and notification noises will still be in the recording, so you may want to mute your device entirely if you want a completely silent video.

After you finish recording, you can add your narration using video editing software on your computer or on your iPhone using the built-in Photos app or a third-party editor. This gives you more control over timing and lets you re-record your voice if you make a mistake.

Recording a call or video chat with sound

If you are recording a video call, FaceTime conversation, or voice call, keep microphone audio on so both sides of the conversation are captured. Make sure the person you are talking to knows you are recording — laws about recording conversations vary by location, and some places require everyone in the conversation to consent.

Test your recording by doing a short practice call with a friend or colleague. Play it back to make sure both voices are clear and at a good volume. If one person is too quiet, move your phone closer to the speaker or ask them to speak up during the actual recording.

Why your recording has no sound even though you did not turn it off

If you recorded your screen but the video has no audio, check whether you had muted your device using the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone. Even if microphone audio is enabled in the screen recording settings, a muted device will produce a silent recording.

Another reason for silent recordings is that some apps do not allow their audio to be recorded for legal or technical reasons. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify often block audio recording as a copyright protection measure. If you try to record while using these apps, you will see video but hear nothing.

If you are recording a call through an app like WhatsApp or Telegram, check your phone's volume level. If the volume is turned all the way down, the recording will be silent even though microphone audio is enabled. Raise the volume before you start recording.

Changing audio settings mid-recording is not possible

Once you tap "Start Recording," you cannot change the microphone audio setting without stopping the recording first. If you realize halfway through that you wanted sound on or off, you must stop the current recording, adjust the setting in Control Center, and start a new recording.

This is why it is important to decide before you start whether you want audio. Take a few seconds to open Control Center, check the microphone audio toggle, and confirm your device is not muted. Then start recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen recording capture audio from my headphones or just the speaker?

Screen recording captures audio from whatever your iPhone is playing through — speaker, headphones, AirPods, or a Bluetooth speaker. The source does not matter. If sound is coming out of your device, it will be recorded.

Can I record my screen without recording my voice but still get app sounds?

Yes. Turn off microphone audio in Control Center before you start recording. This stops your voice from being captured while app sounds, music, and notification noises continue to be recorded. If you want no sound at all, mute your device using the physical switch.

Will screen recording capture audio from a phone call?

Yes, if microphone audio is on. Both your voice and the other person's voice will be recorded. Check your local laws before recording a call — some places require everyone involved to know they are being recorded.

Why does my screen recording have no sound when I recorded a Netflix show?

Netflix and other streaming services block audio recording as a copyright protection measure. You will see video but hear nothing. This is a limitation of the app, not a problem with your recording settings.

Can I add sound to a screen recording after I finish?

Yes. Use the Photos app on your iPhone or a video editor on your computer to add narration, music, or other audio to your recording after the fact. This is useful if you recorded silently and want to add your voice later.