How to Screen Record on iPhone

Do you need to record your iPhone screen? Fortunately, the process is straightforward using Zight. In this article, we discuss how to record your iPhone screen in simple steps. Read on!

Ian Mutuli | May 07, 2024 | 7 min read time

Article Last Updated: June 18, 2024

How to Screen Record on iPhone

Communication has evolved so much that it is more likely you need to record your screen fast – regardless of the device you use. Sometimes, it is work-related, and you need to explain a rather detailed process in just a few moments. Other times, it is a funny moment or text you would rather record as you see it.

Either way, we recommend using reliable screen recording software like Zight. With it, you get one intuitive app to screen record on iPhone, Windows, and Mac laptops.

Screen Record & Screen Capture
Get Zight for free
  • Capture or record your screen
  • Annotate your screenshots or screen recordings with text, arrows, lines, and blur
  • Instantly share with a link

We have previously discussed how to screen record on Mac and Windows, so today, let’s also show you how to record your iPhone screen.

Read on for the steps for using Zight or your native screen recording feature!

1. How to Record iPhone Screen Using Zight

Here’s the truth – almost all devices (laptops, desktops, and smartphones) have a native screen recorder. It usually works just fine until you need additional features.

Most, if not all, native screen recorders have limitations when you want to record and share a long video file. For this reason, it is best if you find a tool that offers fast screen recording and easy sharing features. Zight is the best!

If you want to screen record on an iPhone, the process is simple and convenient.

  1. You want to get the Zight app for iOS. Go to Appstore and download the compatible app.
  2. Once downloaded, allow Zight to send you notifications – this way, you will be able to track your video’s analytics once you record. For instance, you will get notified when someone watches or interacts with your video.
  3. You can also go through the short tutorial about what Zight does and how to use the app. Click Continue.
  4. You can now log in to your Zight account. If you don’t have one, click Sign Up for Free. You can use your Google account to save time.
  5. To screen record, click the + button and then select Screen Recording.
  6. Record your screen, and once you’re done, Zight will create a link for it and upload it to the cloud.
  7. You can then share the link with anyone by simply pasting it to the chat board. Alternatively, you can also access the link from your Drops list, copy it, and then paste it.

The good thing about using Zight is that you will always have access to your screen recordings in the Drops list. Similarly, your recipients will always access the recordings as long as the links exist. Even better, they don’t have to be using Zight – they just need to open the link on their browser to watch!

2. How to Screen Record on iPhone Using the Native App

To screen record on your iPhone using the native app, you can follow these straightforward steps:

Before you start, you have to enable screen recording as follows:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to “Control Center” then “More Controls.”
  3. Find “Screen Recording” and tap the plus (+) icon next to it to add it to the Control Center.

After enabling the screen recording option:

  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Screen Recording button, which will then start a three-second countdown before beginning the recording. At this point, you can turn on Do Not Disturb so you don’t receive notifications while recording.
  3. Your iPhone will start recording everything that appears on your screen. You can navigate through apps or scroll through pages, and all your actions will be captured.
  4. To stop recording, you can either tap the red clock icon in your status bar at the top of your screen and then tap “Stop” or open Control Center again and tap the red Record button.
  5. Once you stop recording, the video will be saved automatically to your Photos app, where you can view, edit, or share it.

These are straightforward steps to record your screen, but note that you’ll only be able to record audio from your iPhone. If you wanted to record external microphone audio;

  1. Enable screen recording, open the control center, and tap the screen recording button.
  2. Long press the Screen Recording button.
  3. Tap the Microphone icon to turn it on, which will then be highlighted in red, indicating that it’s active. This will enable the recording of external sounds along with your screen.
  4. Tap Start Recording and repeat the steps from above.

This process will capture both the internal sounds from the device and any external audio through the microphone, such as your voice or other ambient sounds.

For recording professional-level audio, such as podcasts or music, you can connect an external microphone to your iPhone. Ensure that the microphone is compatible with your device, and if necessary, use an adapter (like a lightning to 3.5mm jack or USB-C adapter, depending on your iPhone model).

Once connected, the external microphone should be recognized automatically, and you can follow the steps above to include its audio in your screen recordings.

How to Share Your Screen Recording on iPhone

To share a screen recording from your iPhone, you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Navigate to the “Albums” tab, scroll down to “Media Types”, and select “Screen Recordings”. Here, you’ll find all your screen recordings.
  2. Tap on the screen recording you want to share. This will open it in full-screen mode.
  3. While viewing the recording, tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards). This will open a menu with various sharing options.
  4. You can choose to send the recording via messages, email, or social media platforms. You can also save it to a cloud storage service or other apps that accept video files.

Pro Tip: Before sharing, you might want to edit the recording to trim unnecessary parts or enhance it. You can do this directly in the Photos app, where basic editing tools are available.

Third-party apps like Zight might be required for more advanced editing. Luckily, it’s also easy. You can upload your screen recording to Zight and edit your video as you see fit.

Best Tips for Flawless Screen Recording on iPhone

Screen recording on your iPhone can be a game-changer for capturing dynamic content, from memorable FaceTime calls to high-stakes gaming sessions. Yet, achieving a flawless recording is not always as straightforward as it seems.

Technical hitches, unexpected notifications, or simply running out of storage can turn what should be an easy task into a frustrating ordeal. But with a few expert tips, you can navigate these challenges:

  • Free up space: Screen recordings can consume a significant amount of storage, especially if they’re lengthy. Ensure you have ample space by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them off your device.
  • Enable Do Not Disturb: to avoid disruptive notifications during recording.
  • Adjust the brightness: Set your screen brightness to a consistent level that is not too harsh on the eyes yet clear enough to capture detailed visuals.
  • Manage sound settings: Decide if you want to include audio in your recording. If capturing external sounds or voiceovers, ensure the microphone is turned on before you start recording.
  • For professional-looking recordings, stability is key. Keep your iPhone steady with a tripod, or place your device on a stable surface to avoid shaky videos. This is particularly important for training videos or presentation recordings.
  • A little planning goes a long way, as well. Create a good video script, especially for instructional videos or demonstrations. This will ensure a smooth, efficient recording without unnecessary pauses or errors.
  • Use the editing tools within the Photos app to trim the start and end of your recording, removing any unneeded sections.

Why use Zight to screen record on your iphone?

Using Zight to screen record on your iPhone offers several advantages that enhance both functionality and convenience:

  1. Ease of Use: Zight provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the screen recording process, making it accessible even for those who may not be tech-savvy.
  2. High-Quality Recordings: Zight ensures that your screen recordings are of high quality, capturing clear visuals and audio. This is especially beneficial for creating professional content.
  3. Cloud Storage and Sharing: With Zight, your recordings are automatically saved to the cloud, allowing for easy access and sharing. You can quickly share links to your recordings with colleagues, clients, or on social media.
  4. Editing Tools: Zight offers built-in editing tools that allow you to trim, annotate, and enhance your recordings before sharing. This can save time and improve the effectiveness of your content.
  5. Integration with Other Tools: Zight integrates seamlessly with other productivity and communication tools, streamlining your workflow. For instance, you can easily incorporate your recordings into presentations, reports, or collaborative projects.
  6. Privacy and Security: Zight provides robust security features to ensure that your recordings are protected and shared only with intended recipients.
  7. Support for Various Use Cases: Whether you’re creating tutorials, documenting bugs, or capturing important meetings, Zight’s versatile screen recording capabilities cater to a wide range of professional needs.

Using Zight on your iPhone combines convenience, quality, and functionality, making it a valuable tool for personal and professional use.

Wrapping Up

We hope the steps and tips above will help you improve your iPhone screen recording. While you can use the native screen recording feature, we highly recommend using Zight to give you even more options – especially editing post-recording. With Zight, you can annotate and edit your videos better than you can on the native app.

Create & share screenshots, screen recordings, and GIFs with Zight