How to Screen Record on iPad

Use the Control Center to record on-screen activity

What to Know

  • First, select Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls > select Screen Recording.
  • Then, open Command Center and tap the Record icon.
  • Screen recordings are saved in your Photos app.

This article explains how to capture exactly what displays on your iPad screen in real-time. 

How to Screen Record on Your iPad

Follow the instructions below to access the iOS Screen Recording tool.

  1. Tap on Settings, located on your iPad's Home Screen.

  2. The iOS Settings interface should now be visible. Tap Control Center.

    the main iPad Settings screen.
  3. Select Customize Controls.

    the main iOS Control Center settings screen.
  4. All features currently available within the iPad Control Center will now be displayed, along with a list of items that can be added. If Screen Recording is already shown in the INCLUDE section, go ahead and skip this step. If not, scroll down until you locate the item Screen Recording and tap the green plus(+) icon accompanying it.

    Customize Controls section of the iOS Control Center settings interface.
  5. Press your iPad Home button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on newer models) to return to the Home Screen.

  6. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen or swipe down from the upper right-hand corner, depending on your iPad version, to access its Control Center. You should notice an icon which looks like a record button, a filled-in circle surrounded by a thinner circle. Tap this button to begin recording. If prompted, select the Start Recording button.

    iPad Control Center with the Screen Recording button added.

    While recording, everything on your screen will be captured including incoming notifications. To avoid items such as iMessages from interrupting your recording, we recommend enabling Do Not Disturb mode beforehand.

  7. A timer countdown (3, 2, 1) will display in place of this button, at which point screen recording has begun. Tap anywhere on the screen to leave the Control Center. You'll notice a red record button or red time indicator near the top of your screen while recording is taking place. Once you've finished recording, tap this button.

    A screenshot of an iPad Home Screen with Screen Recording activated.
  8. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you'd like to finish recording. Tap the Stop button. Your recording is now complete and can be found within your camera roll in the Photos app.

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