If you need to record your computer screen, Windows has the Game Bar and macOS has a screenshot tool. Apple devices have the Screen Recording tool, but what about Android?

A screen recorder for Google's mobile operating system was introduced in 2008. Android 11, but some Samsung, LG, and OnePlus devices running Android 10 have their own version of the feature. Those with older devices can turn to a third-party app. Here are your options.

Android Screen Recorder

The screen recording process is largely the same across all devices, with a few tweaks here and there. Pull down the notification panel from the top of the screen to reveal your quick settings options. Tap the Screen Recorder button and allow the device to record the screen (you may need to change the default icons that appear). Determine the sound you want to record, if any. Tap Start Recording and a countdown will begin before a toolbar appears on the screen and recording begins.

The toolbar includes options for minimizing the bar, drawing on the screen, activating the front camera, pausing the recording or stopping it completely. The toolbar and selfie window can be moved around the screen as desired.

When a recording is stopped, the video is saved to your phone's media storage. For additional settings, long press the Screen Recorder quick settings icon.

Google Play Games

If you're looking to record gameplay, Google Play Games is a solid free option. Although it can only record in 480p SD or 720p HD, the app lets you record any gameplay and add footage from your phone's front-facing camera.

Open the app and select a game, whether it's one of the games included in the Home tab or a title you've previously downloaded. Touch the game thumbnail to view its details, then touch the mouse button. Record at the top of the page. From there, select the video quality.

Tap Launch to start your game, and a floating video bubble will appear on the screen with recording settings to select. Buttons around your head control your microphone, front camera, and recording. You can also drag your video bubble across the screen to find the perfect location.

Press the red button to start recording your video. After a three second delay, Google Play Games will start recording. Touch the record button again to stop, or drag the floating video bubble in the center of the screen over the X. Once the video is finished, you can edit or upload it through the YouTube app, if you like. wish.

ADV Screen Recorder

ADV Screen Recorder is a free, third-party option that allows you to record any activity on your screen. Tap the plus icon in the app to open the overlay button, which lets you control your recordings from any screen. Remember that when this overlay is open, you cannot interact with the rest of the screen.

When you open the button overlay, you see controls that allow you to start recording, add a front camera view, access your video collection, and draw on the screen. You need to grant the app the proper permissions before all these features become available.

Press the record button to start your video, then stop or pause from the overlay button. You can edit and share your recording from the app. In the settings, you can change the resolution (up to 1080p), bitrate (up to 15Mbps) and frame rate (up to 60fps). You can also change the video orientation and microphone settings.

The app lets you control the overlay by changing the opacity, replacing the default icon with a custom image and adding text, or removing it altogether. You can also allow the app to show screen touches while recording, but you'll need to enable this feature in phone settings first.

You may notice that the app overlay button stays on the screen even after you close the app. The only way to remove the overlay is to long press the icon and drag it to the X at the bottom of the screen.

AZ Screen Recorder

The third-party app AZ Screen Recorder is a free, ad-supported app (with a $2.99 ​​ad-free upgrade) that lets you take videos, take screenshots, and launch a video live. The app can be controlled from the phone's notification screen and once given the proper permissions, it adds a pop-up control button to the screen.

Open the app and tap the orange camera button to start recording your screen, then browse the phone as usual. A small camcorder bubble also appears on the screen and stays in place even when you step away from the app. Touch this icon to stop or pause recording. The bubble has additional options allowing you to open saved recordings in the app, activate different toolbox items, and start a live video on Facebook or YouTube.

Inside the app, you can view saved videos and screenshots, which can be shared and edited. A settings menu allows you to configure video options, such as resolution (up to 2220 x 1080), frame rate (up to 60 fps), bit rate (up to 12 Mbps ), device orientation and duration, as well as control audio recording.

Don't want the record button to appear in the recording? There are options to disable the button while recording, add an invisible button, and change how you stop a recording.

Mobizen Screen Recorder

Unlike other screen recorders, Mobizen Screen Recorder mainly exists as a floating control bubble called AirCircle. Touch the overlay to start a video, take a screenshot, or view captured media and change settings. You can start a screen recording from the AirCircle menu, then pause or stop the video. The controls in the notification shade also give you a degree of control.

Mobizen will then allow you to view, modify and share your recordings. From the app's storage overlay, you can view videos and screenshots, though it can also import some images from your device. A settings menu lets you adjust resolution (up to 1080p), frame rate (up to 60fps), and audio settings.

A built-in recording assistant will help you optimize your video, while the clean recording mode removes overlap and improves overall quality.

By default, Mobizen's front camera is disabled, but you can enable it in the settings to add an additional video overlay on all recordings. You also have the option to fully customize the AirCircle by replacing the logo with your own image, hiding it during recordings or changing its transparency.

The base app is ad-supported and pop-ups are everywhere, but you can upgrade to a premium subscription ($3.99 per month or $31.99 for 12 months) to remove ads, create your own watermarks and GIFs, etc.

Super Screen Recorder

With Super Screen Recorder ad support, you can record your screen, take screenshots, and more. Use the picture-in-picture window to record videos, take photos, and draw on your screen. You can also add features like live video, a front camera window, and a floating brush icon.

Inside the app, you can view, share and edit the media you have captured. A comprehensive editing menu lets you add music, merge videos and images, compress files, turn videos into GIFs, and more. The settings menu lets you control the resolution (up to 1080p), bitrate (up to 12Mbps), frame rate (up to 60fps), and orientation of the video. You can also change video and audio recording settings, set control options, and show screen keys, once Developer Options is enabled on the device.

With a pro subscription, Super Screen Recorder removes ads, gives you dubbing and voice changing features, and lets you add custom images for the floating button and watermark.