Screen recording captures audio by default on most devices, but you can turn it off

When you start a screen recording on your phone, computer, or tablet, the microphone will pick up sound in the room unless you disable it first. This means your recording will include background noise, your own voice if you speak, and any audio playing on the device. On Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, you control this before you hit record — there is no way to remove audio after the fact without editing software.

The reason this matters: if you are recording a tutorial or presentation, you probably want your voice included. If you are recording a sensitive conversation or a private moment, you almost certainly do not. The setting is usually a toggle or checkbox labeled "microphone", "audio", or "system sound", and it takes two seconds to change.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen recording includes microphone audio by default on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android unless you turn it off before recording starts.
  • You control audio capture in the recording settings or control panel before you press record — you cannot remove it afterward without editing software.
  • Most devices let you choose between microphone only, system audio only, both, or neither.
  • If you forget to disable audio and record something you did not intend to capture, the recording file itself cannot be edited through the built-in screen recording tool.

How audio capture works on Windows

On Windows 10 and 11, the built-in Xbox Game Bar records both microphone and system audio by default. Before you start recording, open the Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G, then look for the microphone icon in the recording panel. If the microphone icon has a slash through it, audio is off. If it is solid, your microphone is recording.

To change this setting, click the microphone icon to toggle it. You will also see a speaker icon nearby — that controls whether system audio (sound from your speakers) is captured. Both can be on, both off, or one of each. Make your choice before you click the red record button, because once recording starts, you cannot change these settings mid-recording.

How audio capture works on Mac

On Mac, the built-in screen recording tool is in the Screenshot app (press Shift + Command + 5) or in QuickTime Player. With Screenshot, click Options in the toolbar and look for the "Microphone" dropdown. The default is usually "None", which means no audio will be recorded. If you want to capture your voice or room sound, change this to "Built-in Microphone" or whichever microphone you use.

QuickTime Player works the same way: go to File > New Screen Recording, then click the dropdown arrow next to the red record button. You will see a "Microphone" option. Choose which microphone you want, or leave it blank to record video only. Unlike Windows, Mac defaults to no audio, so you have to turn it on if you want it.

How audio capture works on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, screen recording is in Control Center. Swipe down from the top right (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center, then press and hold the screen recording icon (it looks like a circle inside a circle). A menu will pop up with a microphone toggle at the top. If the microphone icon is red, audio is on. If it is gray or has a slash, audio is off.

The microphone on iPhone and iPad records only your voice and room sound — it does not capture audio playing through your speakers or headphones. If you are recording a video call or a game with sound, the audio will not be included in the recording. This is a limitation of iOS, not a setting you can change.

How audio capture works on Android

Android devices vary by manufacturer, but most have a built-in screen recording tool in the quick settings panel. Pull down the notification shade twice to open the full quick settings, then look for "Screen Recorder" or "Screen Record". Tap it to open the recording panel. Before you hit record, look for an audio option — it may say "Microphone", "Audio", or "Sound". Tap it to see your choices: microphone only, system audio only, both, or neither.

Some Android phones (like Samsung) also let you record internal audio, which captures sound from apps and videos playing on the device. Other phones record only microphone audio. Check your phone's settings or the recording panel to see what options you have. Once you start recording, you cannot change the audio setting until you stop.

What happens if you record audio by accident

If you started recording with the microphone on and captured something you did not intend — a private conversation, background noise, or sensitive information — the built-in screen recording tools cannot remove the audio. You would need to use video editing software like iMovie (Mac), Photos (Windows 11), or a free app like DaVinci Resolve to mute or delete the audio track.

The simplest option is to delete the recording and start over with the microphone turned off. If the recording is important and you need to keep it, you can edit it in post-production, but that takes more time than just re-recording with the right settings from the start. Always check your audio settings before you hit record.

Why some recordings have no sound even when audio is on

If you turned the microphone on but your recording came out silent, the most common reason is that your microphone is muted at the system level. On Windows, check the volume mixer to make sure your microphone is not muted. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and confirm your microphone is selected and the input volume is not at zero. On iPhone and iPad, make sure you did not accidentally mute the device with the physical mute switch on the side.

Another reason: if you are recording a video call or app audio on iPhone, remember that iOS does not capture internal audio through the microphone. The microphone only picks up sound in the room. If you need to record app audio on iPhone, you would need a third-party app designed for that purpose, which is a separate tool from the built-in screen recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen without recording my voice?

Yes. Before you start recording, turn off the microphone in your recording settings. On Windows, click the microphone icon in the Game Bar to mute it. On Mac, set the microphone to "None" in the Screenshot options. On iPhone, make sure the microphone toggle in the screen recording menu is gray or off. On Android, choose "No Audio" or leave the audio option unselected.

Will my screen recording pick up music or videos playing on my device?

On Windows and Mac, yes — system audio (sound from your speakers) is usually captured separately from the microphone. On iPhone and iPad, no — the microphone only records room sound, not audio from apps or videos. On Android, it depends on your phone model; some devices can record internal audio and some cannot.

What if I need to record both my voice and the audio from an app?

On Windows and Mac, turn on both the microphone and system audio before you record. On iPhone and iPad, you cannot record app audio with the built-in tool — you would need a third-party screen recording app from the App Store. On Android, check if your phone supports internal audio recording in the screen recording settings.

Can I edit out audio after I finish recording?

The built-in screen recording tools cannot edit audio. You would need video editing software like iMovie, Photos, DaVinci Resolve, or CapCut to mute or remove the audio track. The easiest solution is to re-record with the correct audio settings from the start.

Does screen recording use a lot of battery or storage?

Screen recordings use significant storage — a one-minute recording can be 50 to 100 megabytes depending on your screen resolution and frame rate. Audio adds very little extra size. Battery drain depends on your device, but screen recording is more demanding than normal use. Keep your device plugged in if you are recording for more than a few minutes.