[By PC/Phone] Summary of How to Screen Record (Screen Capture) for Free! Video Sharing Methods

Recording your PC or smartphone screen as a video is called "screen recording". While it used to require specialized recording software, it is now built into all major OS platforms as a "standard feature" for free.

There are many situations where screen recording comes in handy: creating instruction manuals, bug reports for remote team members, archiving online meetings, or saving gameplay. In this article, we explain how to screen record for free without installing any bloated apps on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, and share tips to solve the common issue where "video files are too heavy to send."

1. How to Screen Record on Windows (Built-in Feature)

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have two built-in recording methods.

Method A: Xbox Game Bar (Easy and Recommended)

Mainly for gaming, but can also record common apps like web browsers or Excel. (*Note: However, it cannot record the entire desktop or File Explorer)

  1. Activate the window of the app you want to record.
  2. On your keyboard, press:"Windows Key + G"simultaneously to open the Game Bar menu screen.
  3. Click the "Record button (circle icon)" in the Capture window, or use the shortcut key:"Windows Key + Alt + R"to start recording immediately.
  4. Press the same shortcut again or click the stop button on the screen to finish recording; the file will be saved in MP4 format under the "Captures" folder within your Videos directory.

Method B: Snipping Tool (Windows 11 Only)

The "Snipping Tool" in Windows 11 supports video capturing, allowing you to record a specific area of the desktop.

  1. "Windows Key + Shift + S"(or search and launch Snipping Tool) to start.
  2. Select "Video (camera icon)" from the top menu.
  3. Click "New" and drag to select the area of the screen you want to record.
  4. Click "Start", and recording will begin after a countdown.

2. How to Screen Record on Mac (Built-in Feature)

Mac can record the entire screen or a selected portion easily using the "Screenshot" toolbar.

  1. On your keyboard, press:「command + shift + 5」simultaneously.
  2. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Click either "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion".
  3. Click "Record" to start recording.
  4. Click the "Stop button (square in a circle)" in the menu bar to finish. By default, the video (QuickTime movie) is saved to the desktop.

3. How to Screen Record on iPhone / iPad

On iOS, you can quickly start screen recording from the Control Center. You need to configure this in advance.

Preparation:

Open the "Settings" app > "Control Center", and from the "More Controls" list, tap:"Screen Recording"to add it.

Recording Steps:

  1. Swipe down from the top-right of the screen (or swipe up from the bottom for models with a Home button) to open the Control Center.
  2. Tap the "Double circle icon (Screen Recording button)".
  3. Recording starts after a 3-second countdown (the clock at the top of the screen turns red).
  4. To finish, tap the red clock or open the Control Center again and tap the button, then select "Stop". The video will be saved in the "Photos" app.

4. How to Screen Record on Android

Android 11 and later come with a built-in "Screen Record" feature.

  1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the "Quick Settings panel".
  2. "Screen Record"(or "Screen Recording"). (If you can't find it, add the button from the panel's edit menu)
  3. Set whether to record audio or show screen touches, then tap "Start".
  4. Recording begins after a countdown. To stop recording, pull down the notification bar and tap "Stop". The video will be saved to the library of the "Photos" or "Gallery" app.

Tips for Smoothly Sharing Large Recorded Video Files

Recorded video files can reach dozens to hundreds of MBs in just a few minutes of shooting. Attempting to send them via email or business chats (like Slack or Chatwork) often runs into size limits, or takes an extremely long time to upload and download.

For transferring such large videos, a free file-sharing service that you can use instantly without account registration is highly recommended.「FS!QR」It is extremely convenient.

Simply open FS!QR in a browser, drag and drop the recorded video file to upload, and a download URL and QR code for the recipient will be issued instantly. If the recipient uses a smartphone, they can just scan the QR code with their camera to access the playback and download screen, making PC-to-phone video transfer instant.

With password protection and automatic data deletion after a set period, it is also safe for sharing confidential demo screens or operational procedures. Please utilize FS!QR in combination with screen recording to eliminate the stress of sharing heavy videos.

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