The question "How do I record my iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV screen?" is a frequently asked question. Although Apple has already provided methods with iOS, macOS, and tvOS, they may not be easy for everyone to find. Therefore, we'd like to take a closer look at the entire topic.
It often happens that a simple screenshot is not enough. This can be the case if a certain process needs to be documented. In such moments, recording the screen is a good idea, but many users don't know how to do it. Some look for apps and others use a second device if possible. But Apple itself has already integrated a screen recording function in iOS, macOS and tvOS. This means that third-party software is not absolutely necessary. However, using other apps can offer new possibilities - although these would be useful for extensive and frequent recordings. If it is just a simple sequence of steps, Apple's in-house solution is completely sufficient.
How to start screen recording on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
In order to start recording the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch screen, a few preparations must be made. The basic requirement for the function on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is iOS 11 or newer. First, the user must go to the settings of the respective device. Now select the Control Center section and then tap Select Controls. Screen recording is among the available controls. This is added by tapping the "+" symbol. In order to start recording the screen, the user must open the Control Center - this can be done from the home screen or another app. Now the Screen Recording command must be clicked. There is then a countdown of three seconds and then the recording begins - this can be recognized by the red status bar. The microphone can be switched on or off during recording. The frame rate cannot be determined. To stop the recording, just click on the red status bar. The message Stop screen recording appears here - if the command is executed, iOS stops the recording and then saves the video under Photos.
How to start screen recording on your Mac device
To record your Mac's screen, you need to open the toolbar for taking screenshots or recording videos. You can do this using the keyboard shortcut "Command-Shift-5." The tool should now appear in the bottom left corner. Here you can choose between several options. In the middle of the bar, you'll find two options for recording your screen. The left icon allows you to record the entire screen, while the right icon allows you to record a specific area. Several settings are available under "Options." For example, you can specify the save location and configure the timer. You can also decide whether the microphone should be enabled or disabled. Once you've made your selection, you can start recording. You can stop recording using the "Stop" icon in the image—users of newer MacBooks can do this via the Touch Bar. Alternatively, you can also record a Mac's screen using QuickTime Player. Although this method is a bit more complex, it is still widely used. This is necessary if you want to record the Apple TV screen.
How to record the screen of an Apple TV
To record the screen of an Apple TV device, you need a Mac. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Next, open QuickTime Player on your Mac and navigate to “File” in the top bar – then select the “New Video Recording” button. An image from the built-in camera will now appear on your Mac’s screen – users who don’t have a built-in or external camera will see a black image. Further down, you’ll see a toolbar – the record button is clearly visible in the middle, with a small downward-pointing arrow next to it. Now click on the arrow symbol and a list of functions will open. Here you can, for example, set the quality of the recording and enable or disable the microphone.
There is also a camera selection. Here, the internal or externally connected Mac camera - if available - and the Apple TV are listed. If this is not the case, please check whether both devices are registered in the same WiFi network. As soon as you have selected your Apple TV, you must obtain permission. A code is displayed on the screen of your Apple TV; after you have entered this on the Mac, the recording is authorized. You can now start the screen recording of your Apple TV.
Screen recording with third-party applications
In recent years, Apple has actually made an effort to simplify screen recordings on iOS and macOS. But of course there are also attractive third-party solutions with even more options. A very popular application for Apple devices is ScreenFlow. The app allows you to record the screen and also edit the recordings - thanks to the integrated video editor. Users who make a lot of recordings and also create longer videos should use ScreenFlow or similar software. But the top model among these applications also has its price - ScreenFlow is available in the Mac App Store for around 149.99 euros. So the purchase should be well considered. Prime Video | Watch movies & series now on Amazon
