Want to create demonstration videos on your Android device, perhaps to help a friend or relative, or to show how an app you have developed works? Perhaps you simply want to record your activity in a game or video chat? You need a screen recorder tool.
Android users have a choice of apps (some of which require root), an official ADB method, and even custom ROMs with the facility built in. Let’s find out which option is best for you.
A Little Background on Video Recording an Android Screen
There are a lot of different video recording solutions out there for Android. But before we get into that, the solution you use is going to depend on the version of Android your device has.
So let’s take a moment to look at some of the milestone Android releases that you need to know about, when it comes to screen video capture capabilities.
Pre KitKat 4.4
Before KitKat 4.4, there was no official built-in function to record your Android device. So people usually resorted to putting a camera in front of their phone.
Not the greatest solution, but it got the job done.
There are now apps out there that can record from Android versions as low as Froyo (2.2.3), but results will vary greatly by device manufacturer and app. We hope that you aren’t still using a device that old, much less recording any evidence that you are.
But if you do need to record the screen of a device that is maxed out at Froyo, for an ancient history project or something, we have provided a suggestion in the section on recording apps, below.
Android KitKat 4.4
In the 4.4 release of Android KitKat, Google added a screen recording utility that allows developers to record a device that is connected to their computer, via the Android Developer SDK, using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). But the recording solution is notoriously hard to use and is primarily meant for developers.
Android Lollipop 5.0 and Later
Android 5.0 finally introduced native screen recording. This made video recording a whole lot easier and opened up a wider range of screen recording options.
So let's move to screen recording apps.
Below android version from 5.0.1
So let's move to screen recording apps.
Below android version from 5.0.1
Mobizen
If you have and android phone with below 5.0.1 and abow from 4.2.2 android version then you can use mobizen screen recorder for your phone to record your screen.
If you have below than 4.2 android version you can use another camera over your phone screen to record your screen activities.
You can download it from play store.
Android 5.0.1 Or later.
AZ Screen Recorder - No Root
With Android 5.0 Lollipop,or later screen recording has been built into the Android API, which makes it a whole lot easier for developers to create competent, stable apps.
One such example is the AZ Screen Recorder app, a root-free solution with a largely-unobtrusive floating menu to enable easy screen recording. With a choice of video quality settings, a countdown timer to help you start recording the useful footage, a facecam for reaction shots, and the ability to draw on screen and trim videos, this app has it all. If you’re on Lollipop, this is the solution for you.
You can also download it easily from Google Play Store.
If you have below than 4.2 android version you can use another camera over your phone screen to record your screen activities.
You can download it from play store.
Android 5.0.1 Or later.
AZ Screen Recorder - No Root
With Android 5.0 Lollipop,or later screen recording has been built into the Android API, which makes it a whole lot easier for developers to create competent, stable apps.
One such example is the AZ Screen Recorder app, a root-free solution with a largely-unobtrusive floating menu to enable easy screen recording. With a choice of video quality settings, a countdown timer to help you start recording the useful footage, a facecam for reaction shots, and the ability to draw on screen and trim videos, this app has it all. If you’re on Lollipop, this is the solution for you.
You can also download it easily from Google Play Store.
