Screen recording on the iPhone? Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward, and Apple thankfully kept it simple—no need for a bunch of third-party apps unless you want extra features. The catch is, though, not everyone realizes that the default control center shortcut can sometimes be missing or the microphone isn’t enabled by default. So, if you’re trying to record gameplay, a tutorial, or even just a quick demo with sound, it’s worth making sure everything’s set up right. After that, it’s mostly about hitting the right buttons and stopping at the right time. Sometimes it’s a little buggy, or you forget to turn on the mic, but once you get it working, it’s smooth sailing. Here’s how to set it up properly and get the most out of your screen recordings, with sound included.
How to Fix iPhone Screen Recording with Sound – Easy Steps
Make sure the Screen Recording feature is added to Control Center
First things first, if you don’t see the screen recording icon in your Control Center, you’re basically wasting time trying to record. On some setups, it’s hidden or not toggled on. So, here’s how to add it:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Control Center.
- Scroll down to the More Controls section.
- Find Screen Recording and tap the Plus (+) button next to it. This adds it to your quick access menu.
- Now, swipe down from the top-right (or swipe up on older models) to open the Control Center, and you should see the icon that looks like a dot within a circle.
Why? Because if it’s not there, you literally can’t start recording. On some devices, this step is the magic fix; on others, it’s just the setup part.
Enable microphone audio before starting recording
Here’s where most folks trip up. You can record your screen without sound, but if you want external audio—say, narration or gameplay commentary—you have to turn on Microphone access during the session. It’s kinda weird, but long-press or hard press on the screen recording icon in Control Center, and you’ll see an option to toggle the microphone. Tap on the Microphone icon to turn it on, then hit Start Recording.
One note: this setting is only active when you actually start a recording, so double-check it’s on before pressing record, especially if you’re trying to record some audio with your gameplay or voiceover. On some setups, if you forget, you’ll end up with silent clips even if you saw the mic icon enabled before. Not sure why it works that way, but that’s how it is.
Check your Sound and Privacy Settings
If your recordings are coming out silent, or you’re not hearing any sound from recordings, double-check your Sound Settings and Privacy. For example, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and make sure the app you’re using (if it’s a third-party one) has permission to access the microphone. If you’re just using the native recording feature, it usually doesn’t need additional permissions, but it’s worth a quick glance. Also, ensure your volume isn’t muted or turned down, and the volume buttons are working properly.
Try restarting or a quick iOS update
Sometimes, these features act funky after a new iOS update or if the system has been running for a while. Just restarting your iPhone might fix minor glitches. Or, if you haven’t updated in a while, getting the latest iOS version could help. Newer versions often patch bugs related to screen recording or system sounds.
Alternative: Use a third-party app for more control
If you’re tired of dealing with the built-in options or want more advanced features—like different recording overlays, live streaming, or better editing integrations—consider apps like Record it!, VideoShow Screen Recorder, or DU Recorder. These can sometimes give you better control over overlays, mic levels, and even live streaming. Just keep in mind that their quality varies and some might need more permissions or setup.
Sometimes, on certain iPhones, the recording with sound just refuses to work right away. It might be a bug, or there might be a permissions glitch. In those cases, disable then re-enable the microphone toggle, restart the phone, or even reset your control center customizations. It’s kind of annoying, but it helps more often than not.
Summary
- Add screen recording to Control Center if missing.
- Enable microphone before starting a recording session.
- Check Privacy & Sound settings if audio isn’t captured.
- Restart the phone or update iOS if things act flaky.
- Consider third-party apps if native recording isn’t enough.
Wrap-up
This whole process can be a little frustrating at times, especially when sound isn’t recording or the option isn’t available right away. But once it’s set up correctly, recording your iPhone screen with sound should be a breeze. Just dive into those settings, double-check permissions, and keep an eye on your Microphone toggle. Usually, it’s something small like that causing the hiccup. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a headache or two — worked for me more than once, anyway!