Screen recording captures audio by default on most devices, but you can usually turn it off
When you start a screen recording on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, the microphone is often on. This means the video file will include whatever sound is playing through your speakers — system sounds, music, video dialogue, notifications — plus any noise your microphone picks up from the room. On some devices and apps, audio records automatically. On others, you choose before you hit record.
Whether audio actually ends up in your final video depends on three things: whether your device's microphone is enabled, whether the app's audio setting is turned on, and whether you're recording internal audio (what's playing on your screen) or external audio (what your microphone hears). Most people want one or the other, not both, so knowing how to control this matters before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Screen recording includes audio from your microphone and system sounds by default on most devices unless you disable it before recording starts.
- Windows 11's built-in Game Bar records system audio automatically but not microphone audio unless you turn it on in settings.
- Mac's built-in screen recording lets you choose whether to include microphone audio before you start, but does not record system audio without third-party tools.
- iPhone and Android screen recording includes microphone audio only if you enable it; system audio is not captured by the built-in tools on most Android devices.
- Third-party apps like OBS, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow give you separate controls for microphone and system audio so you can record one, both, or neither.
How audio recording works on Windows 11
Windows 11's built-in screen recording tool is called Game Bar, and it records system audio — the sounds coming from your screen — automatically. This includes video playback, music, game audio, and notification sounds. The microphone does not record unless you turn it on in the Game Bar settings before you start.
To control what records, open Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G. Look for the microphone icon in the recording controls. If the icon has a line through it, your microphone is off and only system audio will record. Click the icon to turn the microphone on if you want to include your voice. Once you start recording, you cannot change this setting mid-recording — you have to stop, adjust, and start over.
If you want to record neither system audio nor microphone audio, Game Bar does not give you that option built-in. You would need a third-party app like OBS Studio or Camtasia to disable audio entirely.
How audio recording works on Mac
Mac's built-in screen recording tool (accessed through Screenshot, which you open with Shift + Command + 5) records microphone audio only if you choose it before you start. When the recording options appear, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Microphone." The default is "None," which means no audio records. Click the dropdown and select your microphone if you want to include your voice.
Mac's built-in tool does not record system audio — the sounds playing through your speakers — at all. If you need to capture both your voice and the audio from a video or music playing on your screen, you need a third-party app. ScreenFlow, Camtasia, and QuickTime (with an add-on) all let you record system audio separately from microphone audio.
How audio recording works on iPhone and iPad
iPhone and iPad screen recording includes microphone audio only if you enable it before you start. Open Control Center, press and hold the screen recording button (the circle icon), and a menu appears. You'll see a "Microphone Audio" option. If it's off, only system audio records — the sounds from apps, videos, and games. If you turn it on, your voice and room noise record alongside the system audio.
There is no way to record system audio alone without the microphone on iPhone and iPad. If you want to exclude all audio, you turn off microphone audio and accept that system sounds will still record. Some users mute their device entirely before recording to avoid this, but that also silences the system audio in the recording.
How audio recording works on Android
Android's built-in screen recording (the method varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others each have slightly different interfaces) typically records microphone audio if you enable it, but does not record system audio by default. This is the opposite of Windows.
On Google Pixel phones, open the Quick Settings panel and tap "Screen Record." A menu appears asking whether to include audio. If you select "Microphone," your voice records. If you select "System Audio," the sounds from your screen record instead. Some Android phones let you choose both. If you choose neither, the video records with no audio at all.
Samsung devices and other manufacturers may label these options differently or place them in different menus, so check your device's screen recording settings before you start if you're unsure.
Using third-party apps for more control
OBS Studio (free, Windows and Mac) gives you separate toggles for microphone input and system audio input. You can record one, both, or neither. This is useful if you want to narrate over a silent video later, or record a video call without your own voice, or capture gameplay with only the game audio and no microphone.
Camtasia (paid, Windows and Mac) includes both microphone and system audio controls in a simple interface. It also lets you adjust audio levels during recording and add background music or voiceover after you finish.
ScreenFlow (paid, Mac only) records system audio and microphone audio separately, so you can edit or mute one without affecting the other after recording ends.
These apps are more complex than built-in tools, but they're worth learning if you record regularly or need precise control over what sounds end up in your video.
Common reasons to turn audio off or on
You might want to record audio if you're making a tutorial and need to explain what's happening, recording a video call or meeting, or capturing gameplay with commentary. In these cases, you usually want the microphone on.
You might want to turn audio off if you're recording for editing later (so you can add voiceover in post), if you're in a noisy environment and don't want background noise in the video, or if you're recording something private and don't want to capture room audio. Some people record without audio and add a voiceover or music track afterward, which gives them more control over the final sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen without recording any audio at all?
Yes. On Windows, use a third-party app like OBS and disable both microphone and system audio. On Mac, use ScreenFlow or OBS and turn off both inputs. On iPhone, mute your device before recording. On Android, select "No audio" or the equivalent option in your screen recording settings.
If I record with audio on, can I remove the audio later?
Yes. Most video editing software (DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, iMovie, CapCut) lets you delete the audio track or mute it after you finish recording. This is useful if you recorded with audio but decide you want to add a voiceover instead.
Why does my screen recording have no sound even though I turned audio on?
Check whether your device's microphone is physically muted or disabled in settings. On Windows, make sure Game Bar's microphone icon is not crossed out. On Mac, confirm you selected a microphone in the dropdown before recording. On iPhone and Android, verify that microphone audio is actually enabled in the recording menu — it's easy to miss.
Can I record system audio and microphone audio at the same time?
On Windows Game Bar, no — only system audio records by default. On Mac's built-in tool, no — only microphone audio records if you enable it. On iPhone, yes — both record together. On Android, it depends on your device, but many allow both. Third-party apps like OBS and Camtasia let you record both on any device.
Does screen recording use a lot of battery or storage?
Screen recording uses significant battery on phones and tablets, especially if audio is on. A one-hour recording can use 1 to 3 GB of storage depending on your screen resolution and frame rate. Audio adds only a small amount — usually a few MB per hour — so turning audio off saves almost no space.