How to Set Up Screen Recording on Google Pixel — Complete Step‑by‑Step Guide (2025)

 Screen recording on a Google Pixel is fast, reliable, and built into Android — no third‑party app required on modern devices. Whether you’re making a how‑to video, recording gameplay, or capturing a bug to share with support, this guide walks through every step: how to add the Screen Record tile, start and stop recordings, choose audio and touch options, where recordings are saved, and how to fix common problems.

1. Which Pixel models and Android versions support built‑in screen recording

• Built‑in screen recording is available on Pixel phones running Android 11 and later (most recent Pixel models).

• If your Pixel is older or runs a custom ROM without the feature, you can use a reputable third‑party app (see Alternatives section).

2. Add the Screen Record tile to Quick Settings (one‑time setup)

The easiest way to start screen recording is from Quick Settings. If you don’t see the Screen Record tile, add it:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to fully expand Quick Settings.

2. Tap the pencil (edit) icon (or long‑press the Quick Settings area on some builds).

3. Find Screen Record in the “Available tiles” section.

4. Drag Screen Record up into the active tile area, then tap back or the checkmark to save.

Menu path (visual):
Swipe down twice → Tap pencil (Edit) → Drag "Screen Record" to active tiles → Exit edit mode

3. Start a screen recording (basic flow)

1. Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings.

2. Tap Screen Record.

3. A pop‑up appears with options (see next section). Choose your preferences then tap Start.

4. There is typically a short countdown (3 seconds) before recording begins.

5. To stop, open the notification shade and tap Stop, or tap the floating stop control if your Pixel shows one.

Quick flow:
Swipe down twice → Screen Record → Configure options → Start → Stop from notification or floating control

4. Recording options — what to choose and why

When you tap Screen Record you’ll see these common options (wording may vary slightly by Android build):

• Record audio: choose whether to record No audio, Device audio, Microphone, or Device audio + Microphone.

  • Device audio captures system sounds (game audio, app sounds).

  • Microphone captures your voice or ambient audio.

  • Note: some apps and regions limit internal audio recording for privacy or DRM reasons.

• Show touches / Show taps: enable if you want finger taps and gestures to be visible in the recording — useful for tutorials.

• Show notifications: generally off — better to enable Do Not Disturb before recording to avoid popups.

Recommendation: For tutorial videos, use Device audio + Microphone (if you want narrations) and Show touches. For gameplay, use Device audio only.

5. Where recordings are saved & how to access them

• After you stop recording, your Pixel saves the file automatically.

• Open Google Photos → Library → Movies / Screen recordings or check Files app → Movies → Screen recordings. (Exact folder name can vary by Android version but recordings appear under Photos/Library or Files → Movies.)

• From Photos or Files you can trim, share, or upload the recording.

Menu path to view:
Photos → Library → Screen recordings
or
Files → Videos / Movies → Screen recordings

6. Quick in‑phone editing (trim & share)

Use the Photos app to edit recordings:

1. Open the recorded video in Google Photos.

2. Tap Edit → drag start/end handles to trim.

3. Tap Save copy to keep an edited version.

4. Use the Share icon to send via Gmail, Drive, or messaging apps.

7. Privacy & legal considerations (don’t be sloppy)

• Turn on Do Not Disturb before recording to avoid exposing private messages and notifications:
  Swipe down → Do Not Disturb → Toggle ON

• Do not record calls unless you have legal permission. Recording calls may be illegal in many jurisdictions — check local laws.

• Avoid capturing sensitive information (passwords, 2FA codes, bank details). If you must record troubleshooting, blur or edit sensitive areas before sharing.

8. Troubleshooting & common issues

Screen Record tile missing

• Add it via Quick Settings edit (see Section 2).

• If the tile still doesn’t appear, ensure your Pixel is on a supported Android version: Settings → About phone → Android version.

No audio in recordings

• If you chose Microphone, make sure you allowed Microphone access when prompted.

• Check: Settings → Apps → See all apps → (System UI or Screen Recorder) → Permissions → Microphone and enable.

• Some apps block internal audio for DRM; try recording with Microphone audio if device audio is blocked.

Recording fails or stops abruptly

• Free up storage: Settings → Storage → Free up space.

• Restart phone and try again.

• If an app crashes, try recording in Safe Mode to rule out third‑party interference.

File not found after recording

• Open Google Photos and search “Screen recordings” or check Files → Movies.

• If still missing, check Settings → Apps → Photos → Permissions and confirm Storage permission is enabled.

9. Advanced tips & alternatives

• Record longer videos: connect to power to avoid battery drain and automatic timeouts.

• Higher quality / frame rate for games: use built‑in Game Mode recording (if your Pixel’s Game dashboard supports it) or a dedicated app.

• Third‑party apps: if your Pixel lacks the built‑in feature, reputable alternatives include AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen — grant them microphone and storage permissions. Avoid sketchy apps with ads or excessive permissions.

10. Quick reference (menu paths)

Conclusion

Setting up and using screen recording on a Pixel is straightforward once you add the Screen Record Quick Settings tile and understand the recording options. Use Device audio or Microphone depending on your needs, enable Show touches for tutorials, and always enable Do Not Disturb and mind privacy laws before you hit record. If you want, I’ll produce a short SEO‑friendly excerpt, or a separate how‑to for editing and publishing screen recordings (YouTube/IG/Drive) tailored for BranQis.com.