Can Android Screen Recorder record audio?

Screen recording on Android devices allows users to capture video and audio of their phone’s screen. This can be useful for creating tutorials, recording gameplay, capturing video calls, and more. Android has some built-in screen recording capabilities, but there are also third party apps that offer additional features like recording internal audio and annotations.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the default Android screen recorders, explore some of the top third party recording apps, discuss their audio recording capabilities, go over required audio permissions, examine audio quality, talk about recording background audio, and make some recommendations. The goal is to provide an overview of the options for recording audio while screen capturing on Android devices.

Default Screen Recorders

Many Android devices come with a built-in screen recorder that allows users to record their screen without downloading any additional apps. These default screen recorders are pre-installed on the phone and can be accessed through the quick settings menu.

For example, on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 4.0 or later, there is an option called “Screen recorder” in the quick settings panel that can be dragged down to activate (Pocket-lint). Tapping on it will begin recording the screen, with options to record internal audio, show screen touches, and more.

Similarly, Google Pixel phones have the “Screen record” tile in quick settings that can start recording with just one tap (PC Mag). Other Android manufacturers like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo also include built-in screen recording utilities.

These default screen recorders provide a convenient way to capture on-screen activity without needing to download any apps. However, their capabilities may be limited compared to more full-featured third party apps.

Third Party Apps

There are many third party screen recorder apps available for Android that offer additional features beyond the default screen recording functionality. Some of the most popular and highly-rated options include:

AZ Screen Recorder (https://www.androidauthority.com/best-screen-recording-apps-600838/) – This app allows recording your screen, front camera, and internal and external audio. It provides annotations, trimming, and other editing features. AZ Screen Recorder is free with optional in-app purchases.

InShot Screen Recorder (https://beebom.com/best-screen-recording-apps-android/) – InShot offers screen recording with facecam, annotations, and no time limits. The edited recordings can be directly shared to social media. The free version has a watermark while the paid version has additional features.

XRecorder (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=videoeditor.screenrecorder.screen.recorder) – This app provides HD screen recordings, editing features like trimming, splicing, and drawing. It allows recording internal and external audio. XRecorder has a free ad-supported version and a paid version.

Mobizen Screen Recorder (https://www.mobizen.com/screen-recorder) – Mobizen captures screenshots, records screen activities, allows real-time annotations and editing. It supports external audio input and has a free version with watermark and time limits.

These are some of the top third party screen recording apps with extra functionalities beyond just screen capture. They offer customizable features and editing capabilities to enhance your screen recordings.

Audio Recording Capabilities

Android’s built-in screen recording feature doesn’t allow recording internal audio by default. The default screen recorder only captures audio from the microphone, not the audio playing on your device (known as internal audio). This is a limitation with Android’s native screen recording implementation and not something that can be enabled through settings.

However, many third party Android apps for screen recording do have the ability to capture internal audio along with microphone audio. Apps like AZ Screen Recorder, ADV Screen Recorder, DU Recorder, and others include options to record audio from your device’s speaker or headphone output while screen recording. These apps require extra permissions related to audio recording but can deliver full audio capture capabilities.

So in summary – Android’s default screen recorder cannot capture internal audio, but third party alternatives expand the audio recording options to include internal audio sources.

Audio Permission Requirements

In order for an Android screen recorder to capture audio from the device’s microphone, the app needs to request permission for microphone access. This is controlled by the RECORD_AUDIO permission in Android.

By default, most screen recorder apps do not request microphone access, so will only capture video and not audio. However, many third party screen recorder apps allow enabling audio capture in the settings after installing.

To enable audio recording, the app needs to prompt the user to grant RECORD_AUDIO permission at runtime. This permission needs to be requested in the app’s AndroidManifest.xml file and also programmatically on first use. Without microphone access granted, the app cannot access audio input from the mic.

Some users have reported issues with Android not granting RECORD_AUDIO permission even when enabled in settings (source). This seems to relate to changes in runtime permissions requirements in newer Android OS versions. Developers may need to properly implement runtime permission checks in their screen recorder app to ensure audio recording capabilities.

Audio Quality

The audio quality when recording internal audio on Android can vary greatly depending on the app used. The default Android screen recorders often have poor or unreliable audio quality. As this article explains, third party apps like AZ Screen Recorder generally have much better audio quality and capture audio more reliably.

Audio quality also depends on the audio codec used. Higher quality codecs like AAC often produce better results than lower bandwidth codecs. Apps like Internal Audio Screen Recorder use AAC encoding which leads to excellent audio reproduction according to user reviews on the Google Play store. The bitrate used for audio encoding also impacts quality – higher bitrates near 192kbps or above are recommended for capturing audio during screen recordings.

In summary, dedicated third party recording apps with advanced audio engines typically outperform the default screen recording options in Android. Features like AAC audio codecs and high bitrate encoding lead to a noticeably higher audio quality compared to basic screen recorders.

Background Audio

Many users want the ability to record background audio while using other apps during screen recording. By default, Android’s built-in screen recorder only captures audio from the active app being recorded. However, some third party apps allow recording audio in the background.

For example, AZ Screen Recorder has an option to record audio from all sources, enabling simultaneous background audio capture. This is useful for narrating gameplay videos while background music plays. Another app called ADV Screen Recorder also lets you record internal audio and microphone audio at the same time.

To enable background audio recording in these apps, microphone permissions must be granted. The quality of background audio recording may vary across devices and apps. Testing different apps can help determine the best option for capturing high quality background audio during Android screen recordings.

External Mics

Using an external microphone is a great way to improve audio quality when screen recording on Android. Most Android devices have decent built-in microphones, but external mics typically capture much better sound. There are several benefits to using an external mic:

• Higher overall audio quality – External mics provide better frequency response, reduced background noise, and improved clarity compared to built-in phone mics.
• Directional mics – Many external mics are directional, meaning they pick up sound from one specific direction. This allows you to capture audio from yourself or another specific source while screening out ambient noise.
• Lavalier/lapel mics – Small clip-on microphones can be attached to clothing near the mouth for optimal voice pickup.
• Specialized external mics – Devices like shotgun mics are designed specifically for things like interviews and voiceovers.

To use an external mic while screen recording on Android, you will need a device with a standard 3.5mm audio jack or USB-C port that supports analog audio output. Most Android phones until recently had 3.5mm jacks, but many newer models require USB-C adapters. The external mic can then be plugged into the audio jack or USB port. Make sure the mic is compatible; look for ones made specifically for phones or mobile devices. The mic should automatically be detected and utilized for recording audio. For best quality, use a dedicated audio recording app capable of adjusting input gain on the external mic.

Recommendations

Here are some of the top screen recorders for Android that can capture high-quality audio:

AZ Screen Recorder (source): This powerful app lets you record internal and external audio perfectly synced with your screen recording. The audio is crisp and clear.

Mobizen Screen Recorder (source): Mobizen captures audio through the phone’s mic or by connecting external mics. The app provides top-notch audio recording for games, videos, and more.

Screencast-O-Matic (source): This versatile tool records audio from your device’s mic or headphones. You can adjust audio levels for optimal quality. The audio synchronizes flawlessly with screen recordings.

For capturing high-fidelity audio with your Android screen recordings, these apps provide robust recording options, syncing, and adjustable audio settings for the best results.

Conclusion

In summary, most Android devices do have the capability to record audio during screen recordings. The default screen recording feature may or may not record audio depending on the device manufacturer. However, there are many high quality third party apps available that allow audio recording with screen capture.

To enable audio recording, the app needs to request microphone permissions. Audio quality can vary depending on the app, but many allow connecting external mics for professional quality audio. Background audio can also be captured in some cases.

For best results, research app options carefully and test them out before committing to a particular screen recorder. Consider your intended use case and audio needs to select the right app and settings for your Android device.