Screen recording captures audio by default on most devices, but what gets picked up depends on your device type and which app you use

When you start a screen recording on your phone or computer, the audio that ends up in your file comes from two possible sources: your device's microphone, or the sound playing through your speakers and apps. Most screen recording tools let you choose which one you want, or both. On an iPhone, the default is to record only the audio from your microphone — the sounds your apps make stay silent unless you turn on "System Audio" in the recording settings. On Android, it varies by phone and app; some record system audio by default, others don't. On Windows and Mac, the built-in tools (Xbox Game Bar and QuickTime) record system audio, but third-party apps like OBS Studio let you pick and choose.

The practical difference matters. If you're recording a tutorial where you're talking over a video playing on your screen, you need both the microphone (your voice) and system audio (the video sound). If you're recording a Zoom call, you probably want the microphone but not the notification sounds from other apps. If you're recording gameplay, you might want only the game audio, not your own voice.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones record microphone audio by default during screen recording; system audio (app sounds, video) requires you to enable it separately in Control Center settings.
  • Android phones vary by manufacturer and app — some record system audio automatically, others don't, so check your specific phone's screen recording settings before you start.
  • Windows and Mac built-in tools record system audio, but you can usually mute it in the recording settings if you only want your microphone or no audio at all.
  • Third-party recording apps like OBS Studio give you the most control, letting you select exactly which audio sources go into your file.

How audio recording works on iPhones

On iPhone, screen recording is built into Control Center. When you swipe down from the top right (or up from the bottom on older models) and tap the record button, it captures your screen and microphone audio only — the sounds from apps, videos, and music stay out of the recording. This is the default behavior.

To include system audio (the sound your apps are making), you need to long-press the record button in Control Center before you start recording. A menu appears with a "Microphone Audio" toggle and a "System Audio" toggle. Turn on System Audio, then tap "Start Recording." Now your file will contain both your voice and whatever sound is playing through your speakers. If you turn off Microphone Audio and leave System Audio on, you'll record only the app sounds with no voice.

Once you stop recording, the file saves to your Photos app. There's no way to add or remove audio after the fact using the built-in tools — you'd need a video editor for that.

How audio recording works on Android phones

Android doesn't have a single standard. Samsung phones, Google Pixels, and other brands each handle screen recording differently. On a Samsung Galaxy, the built-in screen recorder (accessed through Quick Settings) records system audio by default — you'll hear app sounds, videos, and music in your file. On a Google Pixel, the Recorder app captures screen and system audio together, but the Screen Recorder app (if your Pixel has one) may not record audio at all without third-party help.

Before you record, open your phone's screen recording settings and look for options like "Audio source," "Record audio," or "Sound." Some phones let you choose between microphone only, system audio only, or both. Others have an on/off toggle for audio with no choice about the source. If your phone's built-in tool doesn't do what you need, you can download a third-party app like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen, which usually offer more granular control.

The file saves to your phone's gallery or a dedicated folder, depending on which app you used. Check the app's settings to see where recordings go.

How audio recording works on Windows

Windows 10 and 11 include Xbox Game Bar, a built-in screen recording tool. Press Windows key + G to open it, then click the record button (or press Windows key + Alt + R). By default, Game Bar records system audio — everything your speakers are playing. Your microphone is off unless you turn it on in the Game Bar settings before you start.

To add microphone audio, open Game Bar settings (the gear icon), go to "Captures," and toggle on "Record microphone." Now both system audio and your voice will be in the file. To record only your microphone with no system audio, you'd need to use a different tool like OBS Studio, which gives you that choice.

Recordings save to your Videos folder in a subfolder called "Captures." You can change this location in Game Bar settings. If Game Bar doesn't meet your needs — for example, if you want to record only certain apps or mix audio sources in specific ways — OBS Studio is free and runs on Windows with full audio control.

How audio recording works on Mac

Mac's built-in screen recording tool is QuickTime Player. Open it, go to File > New Screen Recording, and a toolbar appears. Click the record button to start. By default, QuickTime records system audio — the sound from your apps and speakers. Your microphone is off unless you click the dropdown arrow next to the record button and select your microphone from the "Microphone" menu before you start recording.

Once you've chosen your audio source, click the record button and select the area of your screen you want to capture. When you're done, press Control + Command + Esc to stop, and the file opens in QuickTime for you to save. Like Windows, if you need more control — for example, recording both microphone and system audio at different volumes, or recording only certain apps — you can use OBS Studio, which is free on Mac.

Using third-party apps for precise audio control

OBS Studio is free and available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's more complex than built-in tools, but it gives you exact control over which audio sources go into your recording and at what volume. You can add your microphone, system audio, and other sources as separate "audio tracks," then adjust each one independently. This is useful if you're recording a tutorial where you want your voice louder than the background music, or if you're streaming and need to control what your audience hears versus what you hear.

Other options include Camtasia (paid, on Windows and Mac), which has a simpler interface than OBS but still lets you choose audio sources, and ScreenFlow (Mac only, paid), which is designed for screen recording and handles audio mixing well. On Android, apps like AZ Screen Recorder and Mobizen offer more options than the built-in tools. On iPhone, you're limited to the built-in Control Center recording unless you use a third-party app that records to the cloud, which has its own privacy considerations.

What happens to audio you didn't intend to record

If you record system audio and a notification sound goes off, or a video autoplays with sound, that audio ends up in your file. There's no way to remove it after recording with most built-in tools — you'd need video editing software. The best approach is to plan ahead: close apps you don't need, silence notifications, and test your audio settings before you hit record.

If you're recording something sensitive — like a medical appointment or a conversation you want to keep private — remember that recording audio of other people without their knowledge is illegal in some places. Even if it's legal where you live, it's worth asking permission first. Screen recording is a tool that captures what's on your screen and what your device is hearing; it doesn't distinguish between what you intended to record and what you didn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen without any audio?

Yes. On iPhone, don't enable System Audio or Microphone Audio in Control Center before recording. On Android, check your screen recording settings for an option to turn audio off. On Windows, use OBS Studio and don't add any audio sources. On Mac, QuickTime will record system audio by default, so use OBS Studio if you want no audio at all.

If I record a Zoom call, will my voice and the other person's voice both be in the file?

Yes, if you have system audio enabled. The Zoom app plays the other person's voice through your speakers, so it gets picked up as system audio. Your own voice comes through your microphone. Both end up in the recording. If you only want your voice, disable system audio and keep microphone audio on.

Does screen recording pick up background noise?

Only if you have microphone audio enabled. If you're recording in a noisy room and only want system audio (app sounds, video), turn off microphone audio in your settings. If you need your voice but want to reduce background noise, record in a quieter space or use a third-party app like OBS Studio, which has noise suppression filters.

What if I want to record both my voice and system audio at different volumes?

Built-in screen recording tools don't let you adjust volume levels separately. Use OBS Studio instead — it lets you add microphone and system audio as separate tracks and adjust the volume of each one independently before recording.

Can I add audio to a screen recording after I've already made it?

Not with the built-in screen recording tools. You'd need video editing software like iMovie (Mac), Photos (Windows 11), or a free tool like DaVinci Resolve. These let you import your screen recording and add or replace audio tracks after the fact.